Page 39 of Everything I Need

“Dear. Please do not act as if my intelligence is that low. You may think you are aloof in your discretions, but I assure you that you are not.” He says to Elizabeth.

She looks as if she’s been slapped in the face by his words.

“Dr. West, I. . .”

“Do not waste words, Dear. We all know you are not sorry, now if you don’t mind, I’d like to hear from my sons.” He looks to both sons, effectively dismissing her.

“You seem to know, Father. So I’m not sure why you would think this wouldn’t come down to it when I found out about her, as you say, indiscretions.” Colton says.

“Colton. Please. As if you didn’t know how the women in this world behave. We do not act this way in public. You know this.”

“Are you serious? I just caught my wife cheating on me. In public. It appears you knew too. Thanks for the heads up by the way. Really appreciate it.” Colton lashes out.

“Yes. Quite unbecoming of her, but you storming off like a child in a temper tantrum is unacceptable.” I’m so over this guy.

“Fuck this. I’m out.” Colton gets up so fast his chair tips over.

“Colton, sit down now!” Eleanor demands. She fans herself, like she might faint from the embarrassment of it all.

Eleanor looks around quickly to see how many people are looking over at our table.

Preston squeezes my hand and kisses my cheek. “I’ll meet you outside, but I’ve gotta go get him. Do you mind grabbing our stuff?”

“Absolutely, be there soon.” Preston takes off after Colton and my heart just breaks for them. How can a father be so uncaring? Sure, my Dad didn’t waste time telling me when I was wrong, but in this situation he at least would have my back. I gather our things and start to leave.

I turn back and address Dr. West, “Your son just had his heart broken. Instead of helping him through it you invite her back to the table with us because the behavior was unbecoming. That, quite frankly, is bullshit, Dr. West. Colton and Preston are two wonderfully successful men that you should be proud to have as sons. You should support them even if it is creating a scene. Especially when it comes to matters of the heart.”

With that I walk away. I hear Eleanor seething next to Dr. West. I wasn’t exactly quiet in my speech and now there was only Dr. West, Eleanor, and Elizabeth, alone at the table. His sons leaving the charity dinner was just as bad as the scene. Unfortunately for everyone, Caleb chooses that moment to confront me.

“You are quite conniving, little feisty one.” Why is he still trying to make a move? Has he not gotten the hint?

“I think I’m many things, but one thing I’m not is a traitor. My loyalty is to Colton and Preston. You need to get out of my way.”

Caleb takes a step toward me and tries to grab my waist. Before I think about my reaction, my knee comes up and connects in a place no man would be happy with.

“You damn bitch!” He sputters as he falls to the ground.

I walk out with all eyes on me. Holding my head high I think to myself that at least these people got their money’s worth in entertainment. Even Niles, who probably thinks he was right to keep me quiet at these events.Fuck him too.

I make my way out front and find Preston sitting on the fountain while Colton paces in front of him.

“Hey guys. You ready to go?” I ask as I approach them.

“Hey, Scarlett. So Colton doesn’t have a place to stay. He can’t drive and the hotel is full.” Preston informs me.

Without skipping a beat I respond, “Ok. We have two beds in our room I believe.”

Preston looks shocked at my immediate response. After seeing the people he’s been surrounded by I can’t say I blame him. None of them seem able to allow compassion in their lives, or hold the ability to be supportive.

“Thanks, Scarlett. I really appreciate everything you’ve done for me. But I can’t ask you to do that. I’ve already ruined your night enough.” Colton sits next to Preston and drops his head in his hands.

I sit next to Colton and place my hand on his back, “Number one, you shouldn’t be alone tonight so even if you did have your own room, we’d be with you anyway. Number two, I’d sleep on the floor if it meant giving you something positive right now. I hate seeing you like this.”

When he looks at me, the pain in his eyes is almost unbearable. I know he’s glad to have the proof he needs to divorce her, but I think somewhere along the way he really fell in love with her, and he’s losing her.

“If you really don’t mind, I would appreciate it.” He looks at me, unshed tears building in his eyes.

“Of course not, brother, here’s my key. Room 402. Go on up and we’ll come up in a few minutes so you can have a second to yourself.” Preston must see that his brother is trying to hold it together in front of us. He walks through the doors, his head hanging low, and looking completely defeated.

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