Imperfectly Perfect (20 page)

Tyler was the first to lean down and give me one of his fabulous bear hugs. It hadn't been long since I had seen them but I think I had already started to forget how gigantic he was.

"Hey Em," he said, "how are things?"

"Great," I said as I gave Shane and Rob quick hugs.

"Shall we boys?" I motioned towards the door.

"I'll grab us some pints. "Shane said moving towards the bar once inside, "Guinness?"

"Obviously," we all chimed in unison.

I threw one arm around Tyler's neck and the other around Rob's as we walked past the bar to the back of the room to the usual spot.

From there it all seemed to happen in slow motion. I giggled and jammed my elbow into Rob's ribs when we came upon a couple sitting at our table. Only they weren't just sitting, they were ferociously devouring each other. I started to turn to find us a different table, when the couple finally came up for air. I did a double take and shook my head in complete disbelief. It felt like I was living a nightmare… again.

"Got to find another table huh," Shane stated as he joined us.

Before I could respond, Shane noticed too.

"Shit," he mumbled. He quickly turned to sit the glasses on the table behind us and immediately took my hand into his.

In that moment I couldn't decide whether I was more pissed or heartbroken, if I wanted to scream or cry; I'm pretty sure it was a combination of all of these. I shuddered as a tear streamed down my face. Finally noticing our presence, a pair of beautiful blue eyes met mine.

"Bradley?" I paused and took a moment to examine the whore closer, "Ginger?!"

I felt Shane's grip on my hand tighten reminding me that I wasn't alone as Tyler and Rob straightened and flanked my sides. And as peculiar as this may be, I may have been hurt and betrayed, but in spite of it all, I felt okay. I felt powerful, protected, and loved. I reached back one of the pints and sauntered over towards our usual table where Bradley and the slut sat.

"Emma listen, please, I know this looks bad," he stammered and stood up from his seat, "I love you. I really do. It's just..."

"Just what Bradley? Your penis has a mind of its own?"

Before he could react I reached and grabbed the waist of his pants, dumping the entire pint down the front of him. And it felt good.

"Maybe that will help you think a little more clearly," I hissed. "Goodbye Bradley."

I spun on my heels and walked away before he could say anything else. I heard Bradley weakly call after me. Reflex made me stop in my tracks to glance over my shoulder. Strangely, I think I wanted to see him one last time. We made eye contact and he started stalking towards me, but Tyler intercepted before he took too many steps.

"I don't think so buddy," Tyler spoke calmly.

Bradley didn't take kindly to Tyler's interference. Obviously feeling threatened, his face flushed with anger.

"Mind your own business," he said trying to surge past him.

Tyler stonewalled him again grabbing Bradley's left arm.

"Ah, but you see, Emma
is
our business douchebag," Shane spoke calmly as he joined Tyler and grabbed Bradley's other arm. Together they threw him backwards into the booth. "So you just sit your ass there and leave her alone."

Bradley's ego was severely damaged but he jumped back up regardless.

"Or what?" he yelled.

Rob joined in on the pissing contest, "Or-and it's pretty simple-we'll kick your ass. And as much as I like a good fight, I don't feel like wasting my time on a lowlife like you so I strongly suggest you sit back down."

I watched Bradley give up. Obviously he had some brains and probably figured that his odds against my three friends were not favorable. He cowered and sat back down next to my secretary; well, my ex-secretary. That bitch was getting fired Monday.

I stalked out of O'Malley's faster than I ever had before. Not only had the jerk ruined my day and my heart by being a cheating bastard, but I didn't think I could ever really enjoy our place again.

I opened the door to the street and the fresh air hit me in the face. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and wiped the single tear that lingered on my cheek. I was strong. I could deal with this. God knows, I had had my fair share of cheating assholes. I had already realized that with the closing of one chapter another one would start. Perhaps it would even be a better one. I felt the hands of the guys on my shoulders as I stood there, with my eyes closed, on the sidewalk in front of the bar that had always been my sanctuary.

"Em..." Shane pleaded.

"I'm okay." I said, more for my benefit than anyone else's, "now can you guys help me move my shit back home?"

So there I sat, right back where I started, no closer to finding what I was looking for than I was eight months ago. The living room was a sea of boxes… again. But I had two things to be thankful for; I had three of the best friends a girl could ever ask for, and a beer in my hand. We sat there, sipping in silence; all of us deep within our own thoughts.

As devastated as I was to find out I had been cheated on once again, I felt calm. I suppose I may have been numb to the process. I remembered what a wreck I had been the last time something like this had happened to me. Was strength something that came with age? Perhaps I was becoming a true believer of 'everything happens for a reason'.

"Unbelievable," I muttered, standing as I finished my beer. I stalked towards the kitchen to retrieve another. "You were right again Shane."

"I wish I hadn't been though Em," he called from the futon. "As much as it sucked having you leave us and all, I really did just want you to be happy."

Tyler and Rob silently nodded in agreement.

"Well," I paused for a moment trying to make sense of the thoughts swirling through my head. Maybe Rob had been onto something all those months ago; did I really need a relationship to get what I wanted? "Never mind."

I had just sat down on the futon between Tyler and Rob when I felt my phone vibrating in my pocket. I considered throwing it out the window when I saw it was my mother, but I answered it anyway. She was going to be devastated when I told her the news

"Hi Mom," I said attempting to sound as peppy as I could.

"Emma?" she questioned.

"Yes Mom," I rolled my eyes, "who else would it be?" It never seized to amaze me how flaky she could be.

"Emma, Liz just had the baby! A beautiful, healthy, bouncing baby girl-Emily Quinn-and she's absolutely gorgeous."

"Wow Mom. That's great," I spoke stoically as the tears streamed down my face. I'd been doing okay, but this was too much for me to handle. I wasn't strong enough for all of this, especially not all at once. I was happy for my sister, but at the same time I felt worse for myself. I was being selfish, so sue me. "Mom listen, I've got to go but I'll be there as soon as I can okay?"

Before she could rub any more salt in my wounds, I hung up and threw my head in my hands. "Why can't I just be normal?!" I screamed and threw my phone across the room.

I could tell Tyler and Rob were clueless as to why I had just taken a plunge off the deep end, but as I looked up, saw Shane's face and I knew he knew.

"Liz had the baby?" he questioned, and I knew it was more for Rob and Tyler's benefit than his own.

I nodded.

"I shouldn't feel like this guys...it's not normal. It can't be. I'm happy for her, truly I am, but I'm more jealous than anything. Jealous of my baby sister; it's pathetic."

"I'll impregnate you..." Rob chuckled putting his arm around my waist.

I glared at him in response. Sometimes there were no words to respond to Rob. He always had to take it one step too far, and this was one of those times.

"I mean if that's what you really want and all," he backtracked.

I rested my head on his shoulder and giggled. "Funny Rob."

"No, but seriously Em, if you want to have a baby then have a baby." Rob continued, seemingly more serious this time. "You don't need to go looking for some John Doe to fill a role. You are a strong independent woman, and you have us. We would be there for you, you know that."

"Rob, I am not going to have sex with you to have a baby!"

"So just have sex with me for fun!" he offered laughing in spite of himself.

I reached out to playfully slap him. It took a lot of me to feel uncomfortable, but somehow Rob always found a way to get me there.

"So, who's going to Maine with me?" I questioned while wiping the tears from my face.

"Do you really think you're up to traveling Em?" Rob asked.

"I promised my family, so I don't really have much of a choice." I paused, "besides, I really want to meet my niece. "

Shane immediately stood, "I'll go with you. I haven't seen Mum since Christmas."

I was able to find us a flight landing into Maine later that night. We hurriedly packed carry on bags and, a mere three hours later, we were on the plane headed towards Vacationland. We had rode to the airport and boarded in silence. Shane was obviously feeling uneasy due to my current state of mind.

"So," he eased, "you alright?"

I paused and thought about how to answer. I realized there was no simple way to describe how I was feeling. But if anybody could understand me it would be Shane, so I just spat it out.

"Well," I started, "I just found out my boyfriend is a cheating snake. I moved out of the apartment I shared with said boyfriend and, for the final punch to the gut, my baby sister just gave birth to my niece-but instead of feeling joy for her and my family, I feel nothing but insane jealousy-all within 24 hours. So no, forgive me but I am NOT alright."

Shane shook his head, "I'm so sorry Em."

"Don't be sorry," I said as calm as possible, "it's not like you did any of it."

The flight attendants began preparing to hand out snacks. My mouth watered at the thought of peanuts paired with a rum and coke. I watched impatiently as they began serving the people towards the front of the plane.

"That's not entirely true," he confessed.

I turned my attention to Shane, momentarily forgetting about snacks.

"What do you mean?" my voice so abrasive I almost didn't recognize it.

Shane made eye contact with me briefly, before shifting his gaze back towards his feet. I could tell he was nervous.

"I might have known that Bradley was cheating on you," he said softly.

I couldn't think of anything to say. Just when I thought things couldn't get any worse, Shane delivered another blow. I felt the tears return and they began to sting my eyes. The flight attendant placed a napkin on my tray table and asked what I wanted to drink. Unable to speak, I just shook my head. As if she was in shock, she held up the peanuts as if to ask if I wanted them. And for the first time
in my entire life
, I refused the damn airline peanuts.

The flight attendant shrugged and continued on to the next row of passengers.

"Em," Shane pleaded obviously realizing how pissed off I was, "just get the peanuts."

"I don't want peanuts," I spat, "I want my best friend back."

"Listen, I'm sorry. I just couldn't be the one to ruin your relationship Emma. I wanted to tell you, but Rob and Tyler convinced me it was a bad idea. Besides, I didn't find out until it was too late. You had already moved out."

"You've got to be kidding me! They knew too?!" I started to unfasten my seat belt. I was going to request a seat change but before I could get the steward's attention, Shane grabbed my wrist.

"Em you've got to understand, we were just trying to be there for you. I admit it wasn't the best decision, but what's done is done. We all feel shitty enough about it already."

I eased myself back into my seat, "I don't know why you guys thought it would be such a bad idea. It could have saved me some heartache."

"You still would have been heartbroken Em, and you still would have been pissed at us" he spoke softly as he gazed out the window, "I couldn't prevent that but I just wanted you to be happy."

I shook my head. It didn't have to make sense to me, but I knew that they had only been looking out for my best interests. As pissed off as I wanted to be, I didn't have the strength to fight. I needed a friend, but more than anything else I needed Shane. I reached over and squeezed his hand. He shifted his gaze from the starlit sky to me and forced a smile.

"Next time you have some life altering information," I pleaded, "please just be straight with me."

"Yeah, I'll try that."

We flew the rest of the way holding hands in silence. I was comforted by his presence. It also helped knowing that my dad was going to pick us up from the airport.

We landed and quickly scooted off the plane. Since we had only brought carry on luggage we were able to skip baggage claim. Dad was already waiting for us near the entrance. With just one look I could tell he was a changed man. Looking at him glowing I realized I'd never seen him more proud. In that instant the pain in my ovaries increased tenfold; I wanted to be able to make my father as proud as Liz had.

I ran to him, throwing myself into the safety and love of his arms. We hugged and I found myself fighting tears yet again.