Simultaneous Updates

The following chapter is written in 3rd Person POV…

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Back at the Grand Opening…

“Tough day?” Celeste asks Jay, as she sidles beside her cousin, who chuckles at the rhetorical question.

“Fuck you.” Jay replies with a chuckle of his own.

“Language, Dad.” Stella comments as she and Paige pass him from behind, making Jay and Celeste both chuckle.

“She’s got you there.” Celeste jokes.

“I’m willing to concede that she got her foul mouth from somewhere.” Jay jokes back.

…

“What about you? Wasn’t able to ask earlier, but it seems to me like you three had a productive talk.” Jay asks as he directs his eyes to Viv and Hal so Celeste knows exactly who he’s referring to. He decides to preempt the conversation into a different topic, after seeing how Celeste is seemingly itching to ask about what happened, not wanting to think about Lainey and the Hoffman dilemma for the moment.

“Oh, yeah. Yeah. Viv was… really mature about everything.” Celeste replies.

“You sound surprised.” Jay observes.

“Nooooo~... well…” Celeste denies initially, before tilting her head in consideration. “We are talking about Viv here.” Celeste adds, before she and Jay glance towards Viv across the room.

“Lizzie! Get us a bottle of whiskey! We’re going to see if Tricky Ricky is as badass as he claims to be!” Viv timely shouts just to help support Celeste’s claim.

“He’s 70 years old!” Mrs. O’Brien shouts in protest to Viv encouraging her husband.

“69!” Mr. O’Brien corrects his wife.

“Nice!” Nelly and Viv both shout, before both high-fiving Mr. O’Brien simultaneously.

“You get what I mean.” Celeste says, getting Jay to chuckle again.

“I do.” Jay concedes. “But I’m not surprised you guys were able to work past it either.” Jay adds.

“Like you and Becca?” Celeste asks, unable to hold back her curiosity any longer.

“Sorry.” Celeste immediately apologizes for the question. “I know we’re supposed to take your minds away from it, but I just—” Celeste tries to explain.

“Don’t worry about it.” Jay assures her. “How much did you guys hear?” Jay then asks.

“Enough.” Celeste replies. “Stella, Cassie, Viv, and I were just behind Becca when she went after you, but she locked the door before we could go in with her.” Celeste explains.

…

“What are you trying to ask, C?” Jay asks, already understanding that they pretty much heard their entire fight, maybe even what transpired afterwards.

“What else would I be trying to ask? What happened, Jay?” Celeste finally asks, now that she’s been given consent. “Why did you look like you saw a ghost? Why were you jumpy? I just touched you and you shrugged me off like you were angry. Why did Becca suddenly ask to break up with you too? Are those two things connected? But she only looked like that after everyone started worrying about you. I’m so fucking confused. I—” Celeste starts to elaborate all the questions she’s been holding back, before Jay finally cuts her off.

“She’s back, C.” Jay answers succinctly.

“What?” Celeste asks in more confusion. “Who’s back?”

Just as Celeste answers this question, the doors to the private dining area open, and a loud gasp from across the room follows soon after.

---

At the same time Jay and Celeste started having their conversation…

“Can I talk to you?” Cassie asks from behind Becca while tapping her shoulder, as the latter was having a conversation with Marybeth.

“Of course, Cassie. What is it?” Becca answers, after turning around to face her half-sister.

“Alone?” Cassie requests, glancing towards Marybeth. The older lady immediately understands and tells Becca they can continue their conversation later, before leaving Cassie and Becca to talk privately.

…

Despite Cassie making the request, she’s unable to find the courage to initiate the conversation she’s asking for. Becca waits for her patiently, understanding that the look of determination on Cassie’s face doesn’t need any more encouragement for her to say her piece. Becca can only surmise that whatever Cassie’s going to say, it must be difficult to admit.

“Lizzie! Get us a bottle of whiskey! We’re going to see if Tricky Ricky is as badass as he claims to be!” Viv shouts, as the awkward silence between Becca and Cassie continues. Becca glances briefly towards the festivities that Viv and the O’Briens are leading, while Cassie takes this opportunity to finally say what she wants to say.

“ᴵ ʷᵃⁿᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ˢˡᵃᵖ ʸᵒᵘ, ʸᵒᵘ ᵏⁿᵒʷ.” Cassie says, which Becca barely heard over the shouting from the other group.

“Pardon?” Becca asks.

“I wanted to slap you.” Cassie repeats, much louder this time.

“I don’t—” Becca tries to say, before Cassie corrects herself.

“I want to slap you.” Cassie changes her mind. “I want to slap you so bad.” Cassie repeats with more emphasis and anger in her voice. Becca doesn’t take Cassie’s aggression with offense, but concern.

“I’m sure I’ll deserve it once you explain to me why you feel that way.” Becca replies solemnly.

“How dare you try to leave us?” Cassie asks Becca in quiet fury, and Becca immediately understands Cassie’s anger. “I know you and Jay talked it out, but the fact that you even considered it. Are we that easy to just let go? Are we that easy to forget?” Cassie continues.

“Cassie…” Becca says apologetically, trying to hold Cassie’s hand in hers but the latter pulls away.

“No. Don’t tell me you tried to do it for us.” Cassie says, holding back a shout as to not notify the others of her anger. “We barely got to know each other… and you’re already thinking about—” Cassie tries to say, before Becca wraps her into a tight embrace.

“I’m sorry.” Becca apologizes. “I was… overwhelmed.” Becca tries to explain.

“You’re Becca Hoffman. You don’t get overwhelmed.” Cassie counters, and Becca can only chuckle.

“I used to think that too.” Becca replies, as she looks at Cassie. “But if today has proven anything, I’m mistaken about a lot of things.” Becca adds.

“Do those mistakes include us?” Cassie asks.

“No, Cassie. Of course not. It feels as if those are one of the few things I didn’t get wrong.” Becca answers with a smile.

“Then I want you to promise me.” Cassie tells Becca.

“Promise what?” Becca asks to clarify.

“That you won’t ever think about leaving us again.” Cassie clarifies, and Becca can only smile in response. Becca knows it can’t be left unsaid, because despite her feelings for Jay, she did actually think leaving him would be best for him and for his relationships.

“I promise.” Becca assures Cassie, just as the doors to the private dining area open, and a loud gasp from across the room follows soon after.

---

At around the same time Jay and Celeste started having their conversation…

“It might just be me, but are things good between you and Cassie?” Paige asks Stella, as they make their way back to Brooke after grabbing some drinks.

“What makes you ask that?” Stella asks back innocently.

“I dunno. Just the vibe I’m getting from you two.” Paige answers honestly.

“Fuck you.” Stella hears her Dad say to her Aunt Celeste.

“Language, Dad.” Stella comments as she and Paige pass him from behind, unable to control herself from pointing out her dad’s hypocrisy.

“You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to. I mean, we did kinda agree to help you guys forget about it.” Paige tells Stella as they continue walking back to Brooke.

“Nah. You’re right. Our vibe is off.” Stella tells Paige. “It’s just… complicated.” Stella adds, just as she and Paige join Brooke and Brad.

“Lizzie! Get us a bottle of whiskey! We’re going to see if Tricky Ricky is as badass as he claims to be!” Viv shouts, just as Stella and Paige join Brooke.

“God, I wish I was as carefree as them right now.” Brooke comments, as she watches the festivities between Viv, the O’Briens, and the Ramirez ladies.

“You and me both.” Stella says in exhausted agreement.

“Well, with enough of these…” Paige remarks, as she hands Brooke her drink. “You’ll get there.” Paige jokingly completes her thought. Brooke thanks Paige and Stella for getting her and Brad their drinks.

“What was complicated, by the way?” Brad then asks Stella. “When you got here, you said, ‘it’s complicated’.” Brad explains his question.

“Oh. Nothing. Just girl problems.” Stella non-answers, before taking a sip of her drink.

“If it’s about Brooke and Courtney’s fight, Brooke already told me about it.” Brad tells Stella.

“Oh no~, it’s not about that.” Stella immediately clarifies.

“You and Courtney had a fight?” Paige asks Brooke.

“Hence the need for these.” Brooke answers, while downing her cocktail in one go.

“You want me to get you another one?” Brad asks Brooke jokingly.

“Nah.” Brooke answers seriously. “I’ll get it myself.” Brooke adds, before immediately walking away.

“Maybe I shouldn’t have brought up the Courtney thing.” Brad says in realization.

“What’s that about, anyway?” Paige asks innocently, making Stella and Brad glance at each other, both not knowing how to even start to explain the situation to Paige. “Let me guess, it’s complicated?” Paige jokingly asks, already knowing the answer, making Stella and Brad nod with awkward smiles in response.

“I guess that’s the reason why they’re not here.” Paige comments.

“What do you mean?” Stella asks.

“Oh. I’m just realizing why Courtney and Chad aren’t here. I’m pretty sure Viv and Becca told Brooke to invite them.” Paige comments.

*BRRRRRRR*

“Speak of the devil.” Brad comments, as he takes out his phone. “Chad.” Brad greets his brother.

“Hey, gay bro. Where are you guys? All I see are a buncha randos here.” Chad tells Brad over the phone.

“You’re here?” Brad asks in surprise.

“Wait, is Courtney with you?” Brad adds, just as the doors to the private dining area open, and a loud gasp from Brooke follows soon after.

---

Cut to Brooke…

Brooke looks like she’s seeing a ghost. She has to cover her mouth after hearing herself gasp so loud upon seeing Courtney standing in front of her.

“Sup, bitch?”