A Life More Complete(75)

“Melinda,” I say jokingly.

“You know what I mean. She’s just dreadful. Maybe for Ben? I don’t know. I’m partial to you, so it’s hard. You guys were just so, I don’t know, natural together.” Bob stops short of continuing as Tyler approaches.

He comes up behind me and hands me a Bud Light. I wince. I hate Bud Light. Bob looks at me and knows my exact thought. Bob offers me Rolling Rock from the fridge, but I decline. I hate that Tyler doesn’t remember what I like and dislike. Tyler’s oblivious, sometimes intentionally oblivious, either that or he’s far too self absorbed to notice.

“No, it’s okay,” I say opening the beer and taking a long drink that causes me to feel like I might gag. Bob moves away quietly to greet some guests that have just arrived. I don’t want to start with Tyler at Bob’s house so I drink it down quickly.

“I didn’t know you didn’t like Bud Light,” he says as he leans in close to my ear and chills run down my spine. “You should have said something. You told me to get anything. Your friend made me look like an *.”

I want to tell him that he makes himself look like an *, but I restrain myself. I have told Tyler repeatedly that I don’t drink Bud Light, but he’s never bothered to listen.

“He wasn’t trying to make you look like an *. He just knows me really well. Bob and Melinda are my family out here. We spend a lot of time together and we know a lot about each other.” I hope that my words diffuse our already shitty situation. He seems to ignore me as he watches a leggy blonde in a bikini make her way toward the pool out the sliding glass door. “Now you’re making yourself look like an *,” I mutter, leaving him standing in the kitchen. Tyler heads in the direction of the catering table and mumbles to me about getting something to eat.

Seconds later I run into Jon and he greets me warmly with a kiss and a hug. He asks where my beautiful fiancé is and I tell him he’s acting like a dick. Before I can elaborate someone calls him back into the house.

I give in and meet Tyler at the buffet table on the patio. “Are you hungry?” he asks handing me a plate. We fill our plates and take a seat at a table filled with people I don’t know. We talk with the people around us about the basics and the table begins to clear out. Tyler and I are left alone and I decide now would be a good time to mention Ben, since I haven’t seen him yet.

“So, Ty? My ex is here. I just thought I’d let you know. There’s no weirdness between us or anything, but I thought I should tell you.” I take a deep breath and realize then that I’d stopped breathing.

“Why’s he here?” His face shows confusion, since Tyler knows the story of how I met Ben.

“He put in the pool,” I sputter out and it sounds ridiculous as the words leave my mouth. I know full well that Ben’s job is not installing pools, but in my nervous explanation that’s how it comes out.

“Your ex installs pools for a living?” he asks sounding disgusted and appalled.

“Not exactly. He owns the company and he does a little of everything. Landscaping, lawn care, pool cleaning and installation, but mostly he’s the landscape architect. His father started the company and he took over.”

“Oh,” he says going back to the fajita left of his plate. The look on his face says he’s beyond this conversation. Tyler finishes the rest of his food and excuses himself to the bathroom.

I make my way to the pitcher of sangria on the table and pour myself a glass. Downing it in under a minute I pour another and drink it down like a fish. I decide that restraint is not my middle name and neither is self-control, so I pour a third glass and wander over to the pool.

“Do you like it?” I hear from behind and I don’t even have to turn around. He stands next to me and smiles brightly.

“Of course I do, Ben. You are a true talent.” I step closer to him closing the small distance between us and hug him. His body, his smell, just being near him makes my body tingle. It races from my stomach through to my fingers and chills run over me. His arms wrap around my small frame and the pressure from his body is calming.

“Engaged already, huh? You didn’t waste a second,” he says making the situation slightly awkward, but I try to ignore it. “Are you here with Tyler?”

“Yeah, he’s here. I heard you came with a date, too.” I try to sound indifferent, but it’s hard. I have no right to feel slighted or upset, but part of me does.