What really happened in California

CHAPTER 38

Kate POV

I was surrounded by old friends, but I had never felt more alone in my life. By the look on Ben's face, I could tell he felt the same. Craig was off in a corner, clearly wishing he had stayed at the hotel. I walked over to him.

"Craig, you can leave. I will completely understand if you do." I said.

"Okay, if you're sure." He said.

I nodded and he made a dash for the door. I went back to Ben's side.

"Your boyfriend's gone?" he asked.

I nodded.

"I can't take this anymore, Kate." He said.

"I know, you always hated social events." I said.'

"I always wanted to be with my girlfriend, just the two of us." He replied.

I ignored this comment.

"Ben, do you want to take a walk?" I asked.

Ben nodded and we slipped out by a back way.

"I miss you. So much, Kate. After we-"

"Don't say it!" I said sternly.

I stepped away from him.

"I have to! We had to talk about us! I need to!" Ben said.

I turned away, hiding the tears.

"I want you in my life Kate." He said.

"I have Craig. I'm not letting you get between us. Not again." I said.

Ben nodded.

"Of course, Kate, I know. I wasn't happy with myself." He replied.

"I love Craig." I said.

"I know." He replied.

There was an awkward silence until Ben broke it.

"I was terrible back then. Truly childish. I was overprotective, I was an idiot. I was as fake as you said I was. But when we went back to California, I thought we could have another chance." He said.

"Ben, don't." I said.

"You didn't seem to be ready. And then when we had sex that night. On my boat. I felt the love between us. We were so good together, Kate. I was so happy." He said.

I smiled sadly.

"We made love so beautifully that night, Kate. Can you seriously say that you've forgotten it?" he asked.

"No, I haven't forgotten." I replied.

"Then it was over between us. You left the next day for that wedding. You never came back." He said.

"I ended it badly." I said.

Ben kissed me on the cheek.

"I should go back." He said sadly.

He headed back to the church, and the hole inside me grew bigger. As Ben walked further away, I felt like I was losing a piece of my heart.

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Ashley POV

David decided to take me to his apartment, because going to my dorm was too dangerous. His bed was waiting, and we were ready.

"Do you need some wine?" he asked.

I nodded and he left to get some. I sat on his bed, shaking. I swallowed my nerves and yanked my top off. I pulled my jeans off and threw them over a chair. I had bought matching black lace underwear, just for this. I applied lip gloss and smoothed my hair down.

"Here is your wine." David said.

He froze in the doorway.

"Do you like it?" I asked seductively.

"I love it." he said.

I took a sip of wine and smiled. David came over and kissed my neck.

"David," I laughed, "let me take off my heels."

"Leave them on, " he said sexily, and pushed me back on the bed.

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Kate POV

I stormed into the hotel room. Craig ran at the sound of the door being opened. It looked like he had just gotten out of the shower. His hair was wet, and he was in his boxers. I was so angry with myself for talking to Ben. And thinking about him. I pulled Craig close to me and mashed his lips against mine. I shoved him down on the bed and crawled to him.

"Kate, what are you doing?" he asked.

I yanked down his boxers.

"What do you think, Craig?" I asked coldly.

He sat up, protesting, but I shoved him against the headboard. I wanted to bruise him. I was so full of emotion and anger, I was releasing my pain on Craig. Twice.

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Sean POV

Some techno song had come on the radio, so Emma and I were sitting together on the couch. Emma seemed in shock, and I was too. Who would have thought that Emma would become "the other woman"? I didn't really feel guilty about Ellie. All this time, she hadn't really wanted a family. I was starting to hate her sometimes. At night, I would sleep on the farthest corner in the bed. Ellie was getting home later and later at night. We had no sex life anymore, so there really was no marriage.

"Sean?" Emma asked.

"Yeah?" I replied.

"I really want this." She said.

"Me too." I said.

She ran her fingers through her hair and sighed. I gently guided her to my lap and she sat down.

"Emma, what's wrong?" I asked.

"I know that we're going to become sexual. Pretty soon, actually. But there's one thing I don't want." She said.

"What?" I asked.

"Don't sleep with her. I want to know that it's just us." She finished.
"Okay." I said.

She smiled at me and gave me a quick kiss.

"I better go home. I'll see you tomorrow, okay?" she said.

I nodded and she left, shutting the door behind her. Emma didn't even know the truth. She thought I was dedicated to her, but really Ellie and I wouldn't touch each other.

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Craig POV

I woke up to the sun streaming through the window. Kate was curled up next to me, her breath heating my bare chest. I remembered last night, and shifted uncomfortably in the bed. I felt used, and dirty. Kate was angry about something, she wouldn't tell me what. She had gotten her hands on some champagne, and seemed drunk. I just wanted to go home. I didn't like Kate like this. Kate's eyes fluttered open and they settled on me.

"Oh, Craig." She sighed.

"It's okay. You were drunk." I said.

"What is wrong with me?" she cried.

"Your best friend died, Kate. It's hard." I said.

Kate sighed again.

"Today is the funeral."

"I love you. I'm here." I said.

She nodded and made her way to the bathroom. She turned at the doorway.

"Craig, there's something you need to know." She said.

I stared at her, waiting for her to go on.

"Before I came to Sean and Ellie's wedding, I…."

Kate sighed.

"I- never mind." She said.

Kate turned into the bathroom and shut the door.

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