Chapter 175: You slept with him
1553words
He stopped dead in his tracks and glared over at me. I froze with him, wondering what I had said that clearly hurt his feelings.
"On your coffee table? Are you serious? Now you're just being an asshole to yourself again. If I let you buy a copy, you're going to fill that sucker out. You're the biggest asshole I know!"
"Luis!" I scolded in a fit of giggles. My mouth fell open and I couldn't help but playfully smack him.
We fought playfully for several seconds, laughing our heads off when my name was called behind us. The tone of her voice sent a shockwave of terror up my spine and sizzled the hair on the back of my neck.
"Lynn? Is that really you?"
Why? Of all the people we could have run into tonight, why did it have to be her? I spun on my heel and gave her the weakest, fake smile I could muster. But when I looked into her eyes, I cringed.
"Becky," I said through gritted teeth. "What are you doing here?"
"Oh my God! It's so good to see you!" She came in for a hug but I stepped back, hiding behind luis.
"Um, excuse me, but who the hell are you?" Luis blurted out. "Lynn, who is this?"
"Becky," I replied. My eyes stared into hers and I tried to swallow back the memories forcing their way back into my mind.
Becky was my best friend all through school. We were literally glued at the hips, yet when I married Jason she was so jealous and angry. Before I knew it, she was sleeping with my husband behind my back for only God knows how long.
"Lynn and I go way back," Becky said. "We were best friends."
"At least you got one thing right," I groaned. "Past tense best friends." I clutched onto the back of Luis's shirt before I whispered to him. "Jason's mistress."
Luis whistled out as he propped a hand on his hip. "You might be the only homewrecker I like."
Becky's brows went up as she studied luis. "Excuse me?"
He laughed. "Oh, you heard me, darlin'. If it weren't for you sleeping with Lynn's husband, she might still be with the asshole. We should thank you, really."
"Lynn, what is he talking about?" She asked nervously, clearly trying to hide the fact that she slept with my husband.
"Do you think I'm an idiot, Becky? I saw you two on several occasions. You slept with Jason multiple times behind my back. For how long?" It wasn't that I cared because I was jealous, I just wanted the bitch to admit it to my face.
She scoffed, opening and closing her mouth like a fish. "I- I don't know what you're talking about."
"Bullshit," luis spat. "It's okay. Lynn doesn't care anymore. She's engaged to a man a million times better than Jason. We just want to hear you admit it."
I loved how my best friend was so in tune with me. He seemed to always know what was going on in my head and wasn't afraid to speak up when I was.
"Lynn, I didn't know that you two were..."
"What? Married? You were at my wedding!!" I shouted.
"You were supposed to be my best friend, Becky! You slept with my husband!!"
"I didn't come up to say hi so you could bash me. We've all made mistakes, lynn! You act as if you're so perfect. You know how Jason was."
Now I was the one scoffing. "Regardless of how charming you thought Jason was, he was still your best friend's husband. You don't fucking do things like that!"
I wasn't sure who was speaking right now. Perhaps all those shots back in the bar have given me enough courage. Either way, she deserved this tongue lashing and it felt good. This would just be another issue from my past that I could take care of.
She wouldn't say a word. Her shoulders were stiff and her eyes turned hateful. I didn't expect her to drop to her knees and ask for forgiveness, but a simple apology would go a long way. But I didn't get that either. She turned and stormed off, disappearing into the shadows.
"Dumb bitch," luis whispered. "Let's go back to Mama Bell's and get our drink on, lynn." He wrapped an arm around my shoulder and pulled me away.
I never in a million years thought I'd see Becky again, but it was almost relieving. My life had changed so much since I saw her last, yet hers seemed to be exactly the same. I was proud at how far I'd come and I wouldn't let a bitch like her push me two steps back. I'd hold my head high and leave her and Jason in the past where they belonged. My future was with Drake and I'd be his wife before long. Jason was dead to me, and so was his slutty mistress.
"So, tell me more about this book of yours," I insisted as we walked toward the street to catch an Uber ride home.
~~~~~~~
When we arrived back at Mama Bell's, I couldn't get over how many people had showed up. The Uber driver had to drop us off at the end of the driveway because it was too full to actually pull in. There were people here that I had never met in my life. Well, obviously. I haven't been a Tuffin for very long and knew none of these people.
My siblings and Micky had beaten us here and were currently on the back terrace drinking and laughing it up. Mama Bell and Aunt Rose were with them, and was... no!! Mama Bell had just taken a shot of whatever liquor Conner had just poured her.
"Lynn!!" Mama Bell cheered when she looked up and saw me. "Come. Sit."
I moved from the doorway and plopped down next to Mama Bell. She was a fit of giggles and having the time of her life.
"So, tell me... are you engaged to marry that fine man, Drake Hudson?"
My eyes glanced around the room trying to find the culprit who told her. Luis's guilty ass look was a dead giveaway, but I wasn't mad. I hoped to tell her myself but the cat is clearly out of the bag.
"Yes, Mama Bell, I am." She clapped her hands together. "Oh! I'm so excited for you! He's a real looker!"
My cheeks blushed. This eighty year old woman just called Drake a looker. It was cute as hell, and she wasn't wrong.
"Let me know if you need help with any of it! I love planning weddings. Oh!!" Her last little shout startled me, almost making me jump out of my skin when she patted my hand. Then she stood up and went to her purse to retrieve a thick envelope for me.
"I forgot to give these to you, but the time feels good now. Your mother and father had this cute little cabin up in the mountains. I've kept it all these years, hoping to be able to hand the keys over to you one day. They'd love nothing more than for you to have it. They used to take you up there when you were a little girl. You loved playing on the sandy beach of the lake and sitting by the fire in your daddy's lap while he read a book to you."
Tears formed in her eyes and the sight made a knot form in my throat. I didn't remember these memories at all, but they were very heartwarming to think about. I had a family that clearly loved me and I missed out on growing up with them. My anger toward Gene and Kathy had dissipated but now it was coming back. They robbed me of my life and family.
I took the envelope from her, noticing a set of keys and documents inside. I couldn't wait to tell Drake about it. We had our own vacation spot now and I wanted to create memories there that were just as warm as the ones Mama Bell told me about. I pictured Drake and I with kids there, enjoying the warmth of the fire while he read to them. My heart swooned just thinking about it.
"I'll cherish this cabin forever. Thank you."
She pulled me in for a hug as I looked over her shoulder at my family. They surrounded us with warm smiles on their lips and I felt like I was finally home.
"Alright, Mama Bell, enough with the tear-jerking moments. It's your birthday! Let's celebrate!!" Conner said as he wiped away a single tear.
We finished off the night with so many laughs and stories, and I couldn't be happier to be here. Luis was playing cards with Conner and Micky on the terrace table, while I stayed with Mama Bell, Aunt Rose, and Careen. We drank and laughed and even cried a few times. Luis and I would be heading home tomorrow, but tonight I'd forget about all of our troubles and enjoy the family I've always wanted.
