Get up bro! Dave boomed over my bed, and I just rolled over and burrowed in deeper. Vicki had been sorry for all the trouble when she left the hangar last night and pleaded with me to call if I needed anything at all. Trey had been helpful and even drove us home. I wasnt in any shape to drive. I was stunned with raw emotions of guilt, and anger, and loss.
Fuck off! I hoarsely roared back at Dave, after hed kicked my bed for the third time, trying to rustle me out of it. I knew it was after Noon, and I knew I didnt even bother to call into work. It was way too bright in my room, but I wasnt exactly hung over.
Gina hadnt lied, and by the time the plane was back in the hangar and Trey drove us home, shed packed a few belongings and was gone. No note. Shed gone to her sisters, no doubt. I was shattered, but I didnt want to cry. I wasnt sure if I wanted to cry. I also wanted to break things, and I was surprised at how strong Trey was when he wrestled me down to the couch after I had clutched a lamp in a Babe Ruth stance just in front of the entertainment center.
He was quick and he was strong and he was successful. Smaller than me in stature, his face was soon as red as mine as he held me down until I agreed to calm down. He held me down and hugged me all at once, and I couldnt hold back my tears any longer. He kept his body draped over mine and held on tight as I heaved, and breathed and bawled and snotted and sobbed. It was not sexual. I think we all need someone to hold us when we cry. So I cried.
Pete, you gotta get up man! I covered for you at work, but its almost five oclock! Dave pleaded.
Go away Dave! I shouted into my pillow, trying to block the extreme sunlight. When I realized that was futile, I rolled over and flung the covers off and glared at Dave and Trey both as I ducked into the bathroom to piss.
I didnt stop to wash my hands and I didnt look in the mirror as I emerged to an empty bedroom. I pulled on a fresh pair of shorts from the dresser and found them in the kitchen with fresh coffee brewing. It was indeed, almost 5pm, and even still, Trey had made a pot of coffee. I wasnt hungover, but my head hurt like a mellon that had fallen off the truck.
I didnt look at either of them as I milled around with my steaming cup. I sipped it slowly as the jagged pieces of my destroyed life tumbled in my brain. I was still too foggy-brained to focus and Id slept so long that I couldnt blame my haze on the Fatty Trey had rolled us last night. I didnt know what they wanted to say, but their concerned looks didnt make me feel any better.
Shell cool off, man. Dave took the first stab at it. Give her some time. Dave did have a soft side, but Id rarely seen it.
I wandered into my office to check my phone. There were several calls from work starting a 9am, but nothing from Gina and I wasnt surprised. She could hold her anger in for a long time, and this seemed as bad as any fight wed ever had.
Id walked around in a daze for at least an hour when Dave grumbled about being hungry, and I told him it was fine, he could go home. Id pull it together, I promised. What choice did I have? I sure didnt want it to, but life goes on.
Dave wouldnt listen, and I didnt want to be around people, so he muttered something about running out to grab some hot wings and beer as I grumbled my intentions of having a long, hot shower. Trey still hadnt said a word, and I was oh so thankful.
As the steamy shower rained down on my aching body, I pressed my head against the tiles. If I thought I could push it through them, I would have. My head no longer hurt, but it couldnt settle down to focus on any one thought pattern.
What if I really had fucked it all up with Gina this time? Id never intentionally cheated on her until all of this started, and the past two weeks seemed like too much to try and think about. So much had happened, so much had changed, and it had all wrecked my relationship.
Why was I so stupid sometimes? I loved my life with Gina, and I really was perfectly content with just her and only her. I wasnt exactly sure how the rest of it happened, but there was no denying; Id been at the very least, a semi-willing participant and at most, an A-1instigator the whole way.
I couldnt control my urges for Vicki, and I never even tried very hard. Trey had stalked my mind before he stalked my body, and I didnt try very hard to resist that either. I was angry at both Vicki and Trey, even while I knew none of the blame belonged with them. This was all my fault. I had so many chances along the way to avoid it and stop it, and I remember thinking I should, each and every time I crossed the line. But I didnt.
When I was finished with my shower and the three of us had ripped through a 60-piece take-out order of Buffalo Wings and three beers apiece, I still wasnt feeling any better. Dave was right and the wings and brew hit the spot, but I had no intentions of becoming a lush over this.
I hadnt replenished the liquor stock lately and once wed polished off the beer Dave brought, we all still wanted more. Dave suggested Dukes and I immediately pointed out that Trey couldnt go. He wasnt quite old enough.
Im not in the mood to party, man! I said gruffly as I once more checked my phone. There were no messages from Gina and I knew there wouldnt be, so I texted her.
Please come home and we can talk
Gina: Pete, I just cant. Ill come by on Saturday and grab some more of my stuff.
When I tried calling, it went directly to voicemail so I texted again, Please.
Gina: Were done, Pete. You cant put toothpaste back in the tube.
