Tied To My One Night Stand

8. Sorry doesn’t bring back trust

SCARLETT POV

An eleven-hour flight to England plus the time change kicked my butt. Thank goodness, I had the apartment furnished before I got here. What would I have done if I had to come home to an empty apartment as late as I got here last night? Now to unpack. It took me most of the morning to put away all of my clothes and shoes. I had a small desk in the living room where I would be doing my work. I liked to make that space comfortable and inviting. Otherwise, I would run away and never get anything done. I grabbed the box labeled desk and started going through it. I had several flash drives and wires I needed to go through. I put the first flash drive in the drive of my laptop and I almost cried. Almost. It was full of photos from our prom. Michael and I looked so happy. At least I thought he was as happy as I was. The strange part is my heart doesn’t feel broken, it feels empty. As if all of the memories and feelings I once had meant nothing and disappeared. One could argue that the first two years weren’t tainted. Aren’t they though? If he loved me as much as he had claimed, he could never have done what he did. The fact that he proposed to me a month after prom, when he had already started cheating on me. If what Kelly said is true. Proves the fact that he saw me as a fool, they both did.

The motivation and excitement I felt when I got here had dissipated. I found myself dragging my feet all the way to my bedroom and face planted on the bed. There was no more room in my shoes, or the slippers I was currently wearing. Everything I had pushed deep, deep down, was seeping out and I could no longer ignore it. I may be strong enough to leave him, follow my dreams even. That didn't change the fact that I have a heart, one that was hurting. I didn't need him or want him back. That wasn't the reason for my heartache. It was the lies and betrayal. I hate to admit this, but finding out your best friend hates you enough to sleep with your fiance isn't the best feeling in the world either. Based on how proud she was of what she had done, our friendship was as much as a lie as my relationship with Michael. I had lost over two hundred pounds and I had thought I would gain weight my first year in college. The worst part is that now I'm letting them ruin what was supposed to be an exciting and fulfilling day, setting up my new place.

CHARLES POV

Never would I have imagined that my godson could have been capable of hurting my Scarlett. He seemed so in love, so enamored. From the moment they became an item, he told me they were going to get married. As a father, I should have been wary, but he was always a good boy. Always had good grades, an honor student at that. He came from a good family, respectful and polite. I could blame everything on Kelly but the truth is he was more to blame. No matter who came on to who, if they valued Scarlett they would not have deceived her like they did. For a year! Brent insisted we meet and discuss what happened between our children. I’m not sure what crap Michael told him, but I’m not willing to put up with any lies, godson or not.

We are both sitting in my office, a stiff drink in hand. “I don’t like to get into their problems but there has to be something we can do to help them resolve this?” Brent says while waiving his free hand around. His wife Sera loves Scarlett. I’m sure she’s not happy with this turn in events. “There is nothing to be done. I’m not sure what Michael told you, but what he did is beyond forgiveness. I wouldn’t allow Scarlett to marry him anyway.” I was adamant. His eyes widened and that’s when I realized whatever version of events Michael told him was clearly watered down. “What did he tell you happened?” I asked curiously. “That he made a mistake. That girl, Kelly, kept throwing herself at him and he caved. Scarlett found out and canceled the wedding.” He surmised. The fact that he doesn’t think that’s enough reason for my daughter to call off the wedding makes me question our friendship. “You think my most prized possession; my daughter should marry a liar? A cheater?” I asked incredulously. His body tensed and he cleared his throat. “He’s young Charles, he made a mistake. It’s unrealistic for a man to be celibate. That doesn’t excuse what he did, but should he be condemned for one mistake?” His tone was defensive and aggressive.

I was about to lose a very old friendship if he wasn’t careful. “Yes. It wasn’t a small mistake. If he was not willing to wait he should have been honest with Scarlett. A year Brent, he cheated and lied to her face for a year.” I said through gritted teeth. He spluttered on his drink and a look of surprise on his face was soon replaced with anger. “A year!” He boomed. I nodded my head and took a sip of my drink. He sighed and gulped the rest of his drink. Just thinking about him and Kelly smiling at her face while they laugh behind her back makes my blood boil. I treated that girl like a daughter, almost the same as Phoebe. I'll admit it was different with Phoebe because she had been around longer. “I’m sorry Charles… I had no idea. I am biased because I have no daughters and I am a man. One mistake seemed like a hurdle they could possibly overcome. This… this is something else.” He shook his head. “He can blame Kelly all he wants. The fact is, they are both equally guilty. If anything, Michael is more to blame.” I just realized. Brent frowned and was about to argue when I beat him to it. “He was like a part of our family. They grew up together, born months apart. That should have meant something to him.” I sighed and smiled sadly at my best friend. There was no rebuttal, no argument on behalf of his son. Deep down he knew I was right. If he had a daughter, he never would have tried to convince me otherwise. Marriage is hard enough as it is when you are loyal and committed. Both men and women forget that. Sorry doesn’t bring back trust, it doesn’t erase the betrayal.