Still not into you - Charlotte Byrd Page 0,47

down and turns their attention to him.

“My roommate here, my best friend, Dylan Worthington, went to Atlantic City a few weeks ago with my other roommate and my girlfriend. The girl who was the love of my life, or so I’d thought. They got married and slept together. They are saying that it was an accident. Now, my question to you all is, can we actually call it an accident? I mean, to me an accident is running into something or calling the wrong number. Not marrying your best friend’s girl.”

We all wait for someone to say something. Each second that passes feels like an eternity. Then a smart-ass from the back yells out, “It depends on how much they had to drink!”

Everyone laughs.

“See, that’s what they keep telling me,” Hudson says. “But the thing is that all of you in this room have been drunk plenty and how many of you can say that you got married while you were drunk?”

“Maybe she just got tired of your moaning, man. Maybe your roommate doesn’t complain so much,” the guy in the back says again.

Everyone laughs with him and turns back to doing what they were doing. Hudson shakes his head and drops his shoulders. He’s embarrassed. I’m sorry for him, but I can’t help but give out a sigh of relief.

“I’m sorry, Hudson,” Dylan says. “I’m really sorry.”

“I don’t care,” he says, shaking his head. Hudson turns away from him, so Dylan turns to Kathryn.

“We’re getting a divorce. As soon as possible. We just have to get a lawyer and this will be over. Soon.”

“I know,” Kathryn says.

She’s speaking for Hudson. I hate how I seemed to have been replaced in a second, but I can’t blame anyone but myself and the alcohol.

“Well, I’m sorry it didn’t work out,” Hudson says. “I was really rooting for you two.”

The sarcasm in his voice is filled with pain. I wish there was something I could do to help him. To make all of this go away, but I’m helpless.

“You’re a real asshole, Hudson,” Dylan says.

“Oh, I’m an asshole? Seriously, man? I’m the asshole?” Hudson asks. He’s at a loss for words. I don’t know why Dylan had to say that. He was on the right track with his apologies. Now…everything’s even worse.

“I’m sorry.” Dylan turns to me, as if to answer what I was thinking. “I’ve apologized for this plenty. I am sorry. I’m not making excuses, but if he doesn’t want to accept my apology, there’s nothing I can do.”

“Fuck you, Dylan!” Hudson says.

“No, fuck you,” Dylan says.

We’re a second away from yet another fight and I don’t know how to stop it. Luckily, Kathryn does.

“I’m leaving,” she says, grabbing her coat away from Hudson. He’s caught off guard.

“What?” he asks.

“I’m leaving,” she says again. She puts on her coat and puts her cup on the table.

“It was nice to meet you,” she says to me and heads toward the door.

“Where are you going?” Hudson yells after her.

“I’m leaving,” Kathryn says without turning around.

“Why?” Hudson asks, running up to her.

“Because you’re acting like a child. I didn’t come here with you for you to act like that.”

They continue to argue, but everything else they say is out of earshot. All I know is that Hudson isn’t able to get her to stay and they take their arguing outside.

The night proceeds at a more even pace after that. Dylan and I avoid each other. I spot Tea and Tanner and try to lose myself in a conversation with them. They were present for the scene that Hudson caused, but once he leaves, they thankfully don’t ask me anything more about him. Juliet hooks up with a guy I’ve never seen before, but luckily does not invite him to spend the night.

When I go to bed that night after cleaning up after the party, I’m well aware of the fact that Hudson isn’t back yet. I try not to think about it and what it means. He’s with Kathryn and they’re probably at her place. Instead, I just bury my head under the covers and force myself to fall asleep.

27

The following morning, I sleep in late. The party raged on until after 3 a.m. and I don’t get up until well after ten. My head is pounding. I wrap myself up in my robe and drag my feet into the kitchen to get a cup of coffee. My thinking is all blurry and the light streaming through the windows is too bright. I