The club is packed with a line out the door.  For once in all the times going out with Trent it isn’t him that gets us in but Gabe.  Gabe knows the doorman, I guess a college acquaintance that recognized him when we were walking back to the line.  He even scores us VIP passes to the upstairs bar and lounge.  Of course Ian isn’t having any of that.  He is here to meet some guys and dance so he deserts us five minutes after we enter.

The four of us go upstairs sitting in a round booth holding two different conversations.  Caroline seems to want Gabe all to herself placing her back to Trent and I.  Trent is trying to hold a conversation with me but I just stare at the dance floor occasionally glancing at Gabe from the corner of my eye.  The waitress comes over and I immediately order tequila shots.  Gabe declines but Trent and Caroline join in.

Two rounds later and I am ready to dance.  Since Caroline is begging Gabe I grab Trent leading him to the dance floor.  We snake our way through the crowd of men dancing with men and some women dancing with women but we are the only man and woman except for Gabe and Caroline who I notice are right behind us.

Trent wraps his arms around me tight placing his hands on my hips guiding them to the rhythm.  I place my hands on his shoulders exaggeratingly shaking my body with his.  Looking over Trent’s shoulder Caroline has her ass in Gabe’s crotch circling it while bending down touching the ground.  Gabe is holding her hips firm to his body.  The image actually makes vomit rise in my throat.  Gabe’s eyes are holding mine watching me as I lean closer to Trent resting my head on his shoulder allowing Trent to move us to the beat of the music.  I see Gabe’s clear blue eyes go cold and his body tenses for a second before he brings Caroline up wrapping his arms around her waist resting his hands just under her shirt at her waist line.

Not being able to watch anymore, I pull Trent over to the bar for another round of shots.  I grab two to his one.  The alcohol starts running through my body.  I feel loose and carefree.  It seems so long since I had this feeling of no worries.  We hit the dance floor again and surprise Caroline is still grinding on Gabe’s crotch.  Does she not have any other moves?  The dancing competition that Caroline and Trent are not privy too continues.  Gabe and I are trying to make the other jealous by who can hold their dance partners closer.

The final straw is when Caroline moves her body up Gabe’s kissing his neck finding her way to his earlobe and sucking it.  He leans into her and I think he is going to kiss her.  I can’t handle it any longer.

“I have to go to the bathroom.”  I whisper in Trent’s ear.

“I will go with you.”  He whispers back but I shake my head telling him I will be right back.

I know Trent will follow me anyway so I walk through the crowd until he can’t see me and I sneak through the front door.  I need some fresh air and I don’t want to deal with him right now.

I am leaning against the side of the building tears streaming down my cheeks.  I can’t tell you if it is the alcohol or just the long day but I am mentally drained.  I can’t stand to see Caroline all over Gabe.  It is driving me insane.  I need to go home, I can’t stay here anymore.  Gabe doesn’t want me, he is moving on to her and can’t really blame him for it.  I have strung him along for six years consistently picking his brother over him.  I have to let him go, maybe even both of them.

“What the hell are you doing out here Maddy?”  Trent walks out of the club finding me.

“I just needed some air, sorry.”  I quickly wipe the tears from my face hoping my mascara hasn’t run.

“Do you want to talk about that?”  He points to inside of the club.

“No” I say sitting down on the cement sidewalk.

“Do it anyway.”  He demands.

“What do you want me to say?”  I ask.

“Oh good you found her.”  Gabe is standing a couple feet away. “I’ll see you inside.”

“Gabe.”  I plea and he stops and I see his back rise and fall from his breath.

“What Maddy?”  He responds with his back turned still.

“I need to talk to you.”  I say and Trent gives me a sideway glance.  “I’m sorry Trent, I need a minute with Gabe.”  I put my hand on his knee begging him to give us some time alone.

“No.”  Trent says staying firm in his spot.

“What?”  I ask astonished.

“I said no.” he deadpans

“Trent, don’t be an asshole just give us a minute.”  Gabe turns around walking towards me.

“No, Maddy I can’t wait any longer.  I want your answer now.”  Trent crosses his arms over his chest widening his stance waiting for my answer.

I close my eyes biting my lower lip while I throw my head to the brick wall in exhaustion.  I can’t make this decision with five shots of tequila in my system.   “Please Trent, just give me a day.”  I beg.

“I can’t Maddy. You need to choose right now.  I’m not waiting any longer.”  He looks over at Gabe and then back to me.  “Gabe or me?”

Gabe doesn’t stop him and he seems to be just as anxious as Trent waiting for my answer.

“Well Maddy, who is it?”  Trent repeats himself.

Chapter 21 – 22 years old

I put my hand on my stomach, I am carrying Trent Basso’s baby.  Trent and I told his parents last night to say they weren’t thrilled is an understatement.  They were livid.  Trent’s dad resigned to the living room turning some sports channel on silently fuming.  Mrs. Basso sat us at the kitchen table lecturing us on safe sex and how careless we had been.  I wanted to tell her that was a moot point but I sat there quietly assuring her we understood by nodding my head in agreement.

A half hour later Trent and I stood up from the table and Mrs. Basso astonished me by embracing us murmuring we would get through this and she loved us both.  She was such a great mom.  I hope I was going to be half as great a mother as her.

The next morning Mrs. Basso comes into my room.  I am sleeping in Doug’s room, the Basso’s still don’t want Trent and I to share a bed.  Another moot point I didn’t mention to them.  We respect their wishes for the most part.  Although we sneak out a couple times making sure we are back in our respected beds before they wake up.

Sitting at the edge of my bed she puts her hand on my leg.  “Maddy, I think I came up with the perfect plan.”  She says and I wonder why she isn’t saying this in front of Trent.

“Ok” I sit up against the headboard adjusting my tank top to cover my stomach.

“You and Trent go to New York.”  So far I like her plan.  “Then when you get close to delivery, you come back here to have the baby.”  Not anymore.

“Why?”  I ask.

“Well honey, New York is no place for a baby.  Trent will be traveling a lot and you don’t want to be left alone.”  She stands up straightening out my clothes putting the fresh laundered ones in the drawers.

“There are a million babies that live in New York.” I counter.

“You and Trent are young.  If I could come out there and help you I would but you know I have to work now, it’s best if you come back.  Once Trent’s season is over he can come back here to join you.”  She is now moving Doug’s trophies around wiping the invisible dust with her hand before placing them back down.

“Or I could go back to New York when the season’s over.”  I raise my eyebrows.

“Maddy…I think you should come here.  It’s easier that way.”  She grabs a towel from the chair holding over her arm.

“Easier for who?”  I whisper to myself.

“Just think about it Maddy.  Trent will be busy with the team…you don’t know anyone there.”  Her voice goes soft and it dawns on me why she wants me back.

She doesn’t think Trent can be the father or partner he should be.  She thinks he will leave me there alone in a strange city with a baby and no one to help.  If his mom thinks he will desert me how am I supposed to trust him?