Page 17 of Final Chance At Love (Chance At Love Duet 2)

I glanced back to check on them and caught them arguing again. I could not comprehend what they could be arguing about. They rarely had disagreements, and considering she was rather drunk, I was not sure what she had found to argue about.

We exited the nightclub and Kristoff’s car was still parked in the front parking spot.

“Your car is still intact,” I announced smiling.

I turned to Rick and Betty. I hugged Betty and gave her a smack on the cheek. “Happy birthday, girly,” I remarked with a smile.

“You are such a good friend, Gemma,” Betty slurred. “The best. I love you so much…”

“I love you too,” I answered smiling, then I turned to her husband. “Rick, are you going to be okay driving?”

“Yes, I am fine,” he confirmed then asked, “Would you prefer I take you home?”

“Yeah, want Rick to take you home?” Betty interjected. “He’s been dreaming about it for two decades.” Holy shit! Betty was REALLY drunk!

My mouth gaped open. I frowned with confusion at what she was talking about.

Rick interjected quickly. "Gemma, don't mind her. She's way too drunk."

Betty turned to him, slurring her words. “Maybe, but it doesn’t change the facts. I saw it when you two were dancing. You still want her, even after all this time.” Betty snickered, her words almost bitter. “All you ever wanted was her, always her!” She snorted and then turned to Kristoff. “You saw it too, Kristoff, didn’t you? That’s why you went to interrupt their dance.”

She turned back to Rick and blurted out. “Even when Jack was alive, you didn’t care about your cousin. I don’t blame you there though. He was a selfish and abusive bastard. After everything he did to her! But it was always Gemma for you, Rick. Just admit it!”

“What are you saying?” I questioned, disoriented from such an abrupt change in mood. “Please stop,” I pleaded with her.

Her words made me sick to my stomach. I had a hard enough time getting over all the shit that happened with Jack. Rick was always there, through all of it, regardless how low and bad I felt. I could always count on him to pick me up and be there no matter what. He was family, both of them were. Although he is technically a second cousin to my children, they think of him as their uncle. And I always thought of him as a brother I never had.

“I love you, my friend. And Rick loves you too...” Betty grabbed my free hand drunkenly and put it in Rick’s. “Will you please just let Rick fuck you? Just once, so he can get it out of his system and get over you.”

I froze, taking in a sharp breath. Too shocked to pull my hand free from Rick’s. I felt Kristoff stiffen next to me.

“Gemma, please sleep with him.” Betty pleaded and just wouldn’t stop shrieking. “I just want him to stop obsessing over you. And then he can decide if he wants me at all.”

“Betty! How can you even say something like that?” My voice was shaking, my lips quivering. “He is family. You both are!” I felt so hurt, like she’d just punched me in the chest. I never wanted to lose them, and with all that just happened, it sure seemed like I’d lost them.

“She doesn’t know what she is saying, Gemma.” Rick proclaimed and seemed beside himself, just like me. “Please don’t get upset over this. I’ll call you tomorrow.” He gave me a quick hug, still holding my hand and Betty joined in the hug, almost knocking us all down.

“It is time for us to go,” Kristoff interrupted and pulled me gently away from them, then nudged me towards his car. “Before more damage is done.”

He helped me into his car and closed the door behind me. I looked out the window and it seemed almost like Kristoff snapped at Betty and Rick who were arguing again. Whatever he said, it made Betty cringe back.

Kristoff came around to his driver’s seat and sat in it, roaring his car to life. He quickly pulled out and sped up towards the highway.

I sat in silence, still in shock after what had just happened. I simply couldn’t process any of it. None of it made any sense to me at all.

Kristoff broke the silence. “You never noticed Rick liked you?” His question wasn’t accusing, just a mild surprise evident in his voice.

I glared at him, shook my head, and then answered exasperated. “No, never. He adores his wife and kids.”

I still couldn’t believe what just happened. Last two days sucked all the way around. I just couldn’t catch a break. If someone would have told me this week could end up the way it did, I’d call them crazy.

I thought I knew Rick as well as I knew myself. How could I have not seen it? I could just kick myself. But even now, looking back, I couldn’t recall ever seeing any signs except for our close friendship. I didn’t recall any lingering hugs, hints, nothing.

I glanced out the window feeling horrible. “Rick is family. I couldn’t imagine my life without him.” As the words were spoken, I almost winced. It sounded off, so I quickly clarified. “He is Jack’s cousin and was the best man at our wedding, for Pete’s sake. And he is godfather to all my girls.”

Another stretch of silence. I was staring out the window lost in my thoughts. I needed time alone to think. It was hard to do it with Kristoff close by.

“Maybe you should just take me home,” I wondered.

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