Wrapping up a loose end

“Suzie, what are you doing down here.”

“I wanted to see you.”

“So you slept on Doug’s couch?”

“Yeah.”

Scott leaned against the pool table.

“What do you want Suzie?” he tried to ask it nicely, but it came out with frustration.

“I’m sorry Scott, I didn’t mean to upset you, I just wanted to talk.”

“It’s okay Suzie, I’m just tired, it’s not your fault, what do you want to talk about?”

“Us.”

Scott’s heart fell.

“I’m sorry Suzie.”

Suzie got up and came over to him.

“Sorry about what?”

“Jenn and I, we started seeing each other.”

“When?”

“Yesterday.”

“I thought you didn’t want something serious.”

Shit.

“Suzie, that was us, there’s too much in the way for you and I to try a serious relationship.”

“So not with me, but Jenn is fine.”

“I’ve known Jenn my whole life, we’ve been dancing around this for so long, we’re finally going to give it a try. I’m sorry Suzie, you’re a great girl and I didn’t want to hurt you.”

She was hurt, she was wiping her eyes, trying to stop the tears from starting.

“It’s not like we did anything, I’ve just always liked you.”

Scott stepped to her, put his hands on her head and kissed her forehead.

“You’re a gorgeous, smart and fun girl Suzie, you deserve so much better than I could offer you right now.”

“But I want you.”

“Trust me, things you want aren’t always good for you. You’re eighteen, you have so much more growing to do, finding yourself, your passions, give yourself time, don’t tie yourself to someone now.”

“If things don’t work out between you and Jenn. . .”

“I won’t let myself think like that Suzie, I’m going to make it work.”

“But if it doesn’t, I’ll still be here.” With that she ran upstairs.

Scott needed a long shower, standing there, letting the water run over him. Mary had been right, he had been out of time to decide for a while. It fucking sucked. Scott would have loved to have some time, date Suzie, ride his bike with her, have fun. Time with Lydia to sort their relationship out, explore where that would lead, and maybe end up in a much better place together. But Jenn, Jenn was the one he wanted, and if the universe didn’t want them together, then fuck the universe.

By the time Scott stepped out of the shower he was feeling better, focused. He was going to fix this thing with Jenn, he knew it would probably take time, but he wasn’t going to give up. He’d fight for her.

Upstairs Mr. Carter already had coffee made.

“Good morning, Scott.”

“Good morning Mr. Carter.”

“How you doing, son?”

“Not the best, but I’m hanging in there.”

“Doesn’t look like it’s Suzie, so what woman has you like this?”

“That obvious?”

“What else do men suffer from, if not women?”

Scott laughed. A much-needed laugh.

“Jenn, and my cousin Lydia.”

“Now that sounds like trouble.”

Scott sat down with his cup of coffee.

“I thought I wanted to keep things casual, not get too involved, nothing exclusive, you know.”

“Yeah.”

“Well, I was with my family and things happened with Lydia, just like they used to.”

“The Williams women are something, aren’t they?” He sounded like he knew.

“I woke up yesterday with Lydia in my arms and realized I wanted more than casual, more than Lydia was willing to offer me, I wanted something serious.”

“Jenn?”

“Yeah.”

“We all wondered when it would finally happen, so what’s the problem.”

“Well, Jenn and I talked and then I ended up at her place and I realized this morning I hadn’t told her about Lydia.”

“And you told her?”

“I couldn’t keep it a secret, can you imagine if Angel saw us together? Lydia even, they don’t keep things secret.”

“I can imagine that didn’t go well.”

“No. She was angry with me.”

“Funny enough, I went through something kind of similar.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, your aunt Angel and Anne had a bit of a rivalry going on, and when Anne and I started dating, Angel started coming on to me really strong.”

“Sounds like Angel.”

“You see your aunt now, you should have seen her at eighteen, she was too much.”

“How did it work out?”

“Actually, Anne solved it. She came to terms with Angel being after me, decided to deal with it and she did. I knew Anne was a girl I could be with, and Angel was not exactly girlfriend or wife material, but she was Angel. Anne was great, never seen Angel get beat at her own game.”

“What did she do? Seriously, you have to tell me.”

“She had me invite Angel over, and we started making out, Angel wanted to go to my bedroom and Anne was waiting there.”

“Shit, how bad did that go?”

“You sure you want to know Scott?”

“Yeah, you have to tell me now.”

“Anne and I fucked your aunt.” Scott was shocked, that was not what he was expecting. “Anne was something else, it was crazy. She was giving orders and playing both of us. When Angel was too worn out to move Anne and I started, you know, and while we’re doing it she tells your aunt that she was fine with Angel fucking me, but I belonged to Anne, and she’d have to accept that.”

“I. . .” Scott stammered a bit. This was so far past what he expected.

“When Angel got herself together, she left, and she didn’t bother me anymore.”

“Wow, I. . .” Scott was trying hard not to think of Anne Carter and Angel, and not let that turn into images of Jenn and Lydia. He wasn’t having much success. “I don’t think that would work with Jenn though.”

Mr. Carter laughed. “The point is Scott, you don’t have to have an ideal start to a relationship, things can be rocky, they can be weird, you just have to be committed to doing what it takes to make it work. I mean, my first time having sex with Anne was right after we teamed up on Angel, her rival. It was an easy choice for me after that, and I’ve never regretted it.”

“Never regretted what? What are you guys talking about out here.” Mrs. Carter walked into the room in her bath robe.

“How you beat Angel and claimed my heart, love.”

“No, you didn’t. James!”

Mr. Carter walked over, grabbed her ass and kissed her on the cheek.

“You know how much I love that story, what telling it does to me.” He kissed her on the mouth this time.

“James, I need to make breakfast.”

“I’ll make it, Mrs. Carter.”

“Scott, I will make breakfast.”

“Oh, let the boy make breakfast Anne, I have something better for you to do. And Scott?”

“Yes?”

“If you are going to love someone, you have to trust them to handle all the mess and drama that comes with loving you.” Mr. Carter turned and dragged Anne back to their bedroom, Anne’s protests got more and more feeble as he did.