CHAPTER 5
Chase
“Are you bringing anyone to Calvin’s retirement party next week?” Mitch asked. “Or are you going stag?” He sat across from me as we shared an after-hours drink in my office. “Sometimes it’s easier to go solo.”
It was easier to go alone, but it wasn’t as fun. The fact that it was on a work night could change my mind, though.
“Haven’t decided yet. If I do, thought I might reach out to Amanda. Haven’t seen her much lately.”
Mitch’s eyes went wide and he shook his head. “Bold move with that one, especially after last summer. Have you seen her since The Plaza party?”
“I’ve seen her out at the bars, but we haven’t gone out. She seemed OK with me, ya know, considering.” I knew ditching her that night wasn’t cool, but we were never more than a hookup. It was always casual with her. At least I sent her home in a car. Maybe Mitch was right. Heading to another event with Amanda where Maryellen would be wasn’t fair to either of them. “What about you? Asking anyone?”
“Nope,” Mitch said. “I’m going solo. Like I said, it’s easier. I can leave when I want and just head on home. I think you shouldsteer clear of her if you want my opinion. After last time, she may not be your best option.”
I knew Gage wouldn’t mind if I went alone, but he was weird sometimes and liked both of us to have a date to these functions. Kind of old school, like my father that way.
“Yeah, you might be right. I think I need to figure something else out.”
“Smart man.” He stood, stretched his arms overhead, and walked his glass to the wet bar. “I’m heading home. You doing anything fun this weekend?”
Mitch would sometimes come to the karaoke bar with me and my college friends, but it wasn’t his favorite thing to do. He’d rather hit the club scene. At my age, doing that should be my choice as well, but for some reason I felt like I was already aging out of it. The girls there, although beyond pretty, weren’t what I was looking for.
Not anymore.
“Maybe the karaoke bar, if you’re interested.”
“Eh,” Mitch said. “I’ll let ya know.”
That meant no, but it was OK. I had my weekend planned with Ely and Sam. They were my tagalongs at Iggy’s and enjoyed singing themselves once in a while. The karaoke bar was where I felt most at home. The more time I could spend on stage, mic in hand, the better.
It made me feel whole. Singing the words, even if they weren’t my own, and experiencing what they did to the crowd made me feel alive.
Ten minutes on stage, and the energy I fed off that, gave me the strength to go into the office another day.
Over the following week I racked my brain on who to bring to this damn party. Every time I walked by Maryellen sitting at her desk, I only wanted to ask her.
In the end, I reached out to a girl named Lena, who I’d gone on a couple of dates with last fall. It was nothing serious, and I hoped this didn’t give her reason to think otherwise. She was a social person, so I knew I wouldn’t be tied to her all night. Exactly what I needed.
We arrived and once inside, an attendant directed us to the party.
“Chase!” Harper called out as soon as we walked in.
Every time I saw her, I grew happier for my brother. She was perfect for him and exactly what he needed in his life. She found him just in time.
Me, however, I’ve been struggling for so many reasons. Amy and I were together for two years. We met my senior year of college and stayed together once we graduated. I thought we were it for one another.
But I wasn’t “it” for her.
When she broke up with me, I went into a tailspin, and my raucous behavior from college came crashing back. That was until I convinced Maryellen to give us a try.
Harper and Gage made it over to Lena and me.
“Hi,” Harper said with a smile.
“Hey, guys, this is Lena. Lena, this is my brother Gage, and his girlfriend Harper.”
As expected, she went off with Harper to the bar, them both chatting like old friends.
