ALL THE QUEEN'S MEN
MEL
The next morning was a blur. Mel woke up in a groggy state. She knew she was still drunk and, what was worse, she had no idea why the hell she was even awake. She woke up to an empty bed, not surprised. It figured Taylor would be up and at 'em already.
As she rolled out of bed, she looked down at herself. She didn't even remember changing clothes, yet there she stood in pajama pants and a t-shirt. Shuffling slowly to the bedroom door, she opened it to the flood
of daylight that pierced her eye sockets. She loved her large, open windows. They were her favorite feature in her house. But not today.
After pausing for a moment, she shuffled to the stairs and made her way down. As she descended, she saw Tay and Isaac sitting in the living room. "Well good morning, Sunshine," Tay smiled. "How're you feeling?"
Mel stopped midway down. "Where's Zac?"
"In bed."
"Where's Kate?"
"She and Nikki left to take the kids shopping."
"Good."
Wordlessly, she finished her trip down the stairs and rounded the corner, shuffling down the small hallway under the balcony.
"Uh, where are you going?" Tay called behind her.
Mel grunted her response incoherently as she opened the door to the guest room Zac was sleeping in. It was dark, with only slivers of light shining through cracks in the curtains. Most of the light shone through the
window, flooding in from the open bathroom door. She then trudged to the bed and crawled in the opposite side from Zac. As she settled herself in and pulled the brown down comforter up around her, he stirred and cracked one eye open. "What the hell are you doing in here?" his groggy voice asked.
"Sleeping," she grunted, her tone matching his.
"No. Go away. I'm sleeping here. Leave me alone."
"Shut up and go back to sleep."
As Mel started to doze off, she heard voices in the doorway. "What the hell is she doing?" she heard Ike ask.
"I don't know but it's kinda hilarious," Tay responded.
"She has way too many men," Ike said.
"Tell me about it. And this might annoy me if it wasn't so damn funny."
Mel would have found herself more aggravated at being spied on, had Zac not started yapping his damn trap again. "Mel, seriously. Go away. Let me sleep."
"I'm not even bothering you. Plus, I like this bed and it's my house. Quit complaining and go back to sleep. You better not be naked under there."
Zac groaned. "No. I'm pretty sure I'm in the same clothes from last night."
"Ew, Zac. That's gross." Mel remembered the previous night's events and her stomach slightly churned.
"I didn't invite you in here."
"I don't care."
"Well don't complain when I fart. I'm ruthless."
"I know."
"Okay."
The last thing Mel remembered smelling was the remnants of the scent of Kate's shampoo on the pillow. She made a mental note to ask her what she used before she drifted off to sleep.
______________________________________
TAYLOR
Nikki and Kate had planned a New Year's Day shopping trip with the kids and then Nikki was going to bring her boys and Kate's oldest son back over for a little guys' night. Therefore it was only logical that Isaac and Zac hang back at Taylor's house for the day.
"I can't believe you just videoed that," Tay said to his older brother.
Ike smiled as he reviewed the video on his phone. "Never a dull moment, huh?"
Tay smiled and shook his head. "There never really has been. What are you gonna do with that?"
"Don't know. I figure I'll show it to them at some point."
"So Jason's coming back over today," Tay said, suddenly changing the subject.
"Oh?" Ike responded, lowering his phone. "And how are you with that?"
"Well, I'm the one who invited him, so..."
"I'm proud of you," Ike said. "Really. You're making the effort and that's really cool."
"Thanks. I'm still a little weird about it, I'm not gonna lie."
"That's natural. But he's a good guy. He really is. I know you don't need that driven into your head because you already know it, but a reminder now and then doesn't hurt."
"Ike, I just want her happy. That's it. This guy just happens to be her best friend and that's the hand I've been dealt. I'm not gonna be that guy, the one who tells her who she can be friends with and all that shit. Especially with this whole Drew thing--"
"What's going on with Drew?"
"I don't know, that's kind of the point. There's a difference between being busy and falling off the face of the planet. I mean, I don't know anything about actors, but--I mean it's been, like, four months without a word from her. Mel constantly tries to contact her and gets nowhere and any time the subject comes up she finds excuses to make for her. So the least I can do is keep Jason around, who IS dependable and who cares about
her--"
"You're a good man, Tay. You know that?" Ike said to him. "You really are a good man. Anyone else would see your fiancée out with Jason or in bed with your brother and think the worst, but you--"
Tay smiled shyly. "Yeah, yeah, Zac is harmless. He couldn't handle her anyway."
"Okay! This is where this conversation ends!"
The two brothers laughed.
Awhile later, after Ike and Tay had watched a movie and done a little acoustic jamming, they agreed that it was time to get the party animals out of bed. Tay walked into the dark bedroom where the pair snoozed and sat
on the edge of the bed by Mel. She lay curled up in a ball against Zac's back. Tay shook his head as he decided to try the gentle approach. Saying her name softly, he moved her hair from her face.
Slowly she stirred, stretching out and groaning. At this response, he said her name again.
This time her eyes began to open. "Huh?" she asked.
Tay smiled. "Mel, you gotta get up and get moving."
"I already moved today."
"I mean for real this time. Moving from one bed to another doesn't count."
"What time is it?"
"After one."
Mel groaned again, causing Zac to stir beside her. Slowly, she scooted herself away from him and closer to Tay. "Lay down with me," she said. "Snuggle with me."
Tay couldn't help but laugh. "You've been snuggling with Zac for the last three hours."
"Are you kidding? Zac didn't snuggle shit. All he does is sleep."
"I didn't invite you here," Zac reminded her, his voice muffled from his pillow.
"My head hurts so bad," Mel said to Tay in an almost whisper. "I need you to bring me something. Anything. I don't care. Do we have any Excedrin?"
"I think that's for migraines," Tay said.
Mel was instantly annoyed. "A hammer, then. Do we have a fucking hammer? Tay, I'm serious, I need SOMETHING to dull this headache enough so I can at least stand up."
Minutes later, Tay left the room and returned to what appeared to be a little less-dead version of his fiancée. She had sat herself up against the pillows and turned the bedside lamp on beside her. Zac lay next to her on his back, staring at the ceiling.
"Thank you," she said to him as she took what he brought to her. She looked down at Zac and offered him her glass. "You okay?"
"I'm fighting the urge to pee," he said.
"Don't wet the bed."
He furrowed his brow at her and sat up, accepting her water glass.
Tay sat on the edge of the bed in front of her. "Don't forget, Jason's coming today. He should be here in a couple of hours."
"A couple of hours? Tay, I'm in no condition for company today, honestly. I'm not. I'm not even functional."
"He's a very busy person. This is the only time off he has. As soon as he leaves Tulsa, his plane is taking him straight to Canada to start a new movie. You need to spend some time with him today."
"Why are you pushing this?"
"Because he's your friend. And he took the time to come here and see you. He made the effort, you owe him the same."
Mel sighed. "You're right. You're absolutely right. I have no room to be selfish here."
"I'm sorry you're feeling bad," Tay said.
She smiled. "It's my fault I can't control myself sometimes."
"I'm starving," Zac muttered, getting himself up and sitting on the edge of the bed.
"There's pizza in our future, buddy, don't worry," Tay told him.
"Wait, you're not going out with us?" Mel asked. She looked hurt.
"No, I thought you'd want to spend some time alone with him," he responded. He could barely get the words out of his mouth. Thinking them was bad enough. "Nikki's bringing the boys over and we're gonna do guy stuff. Go out for pizza, maybe hit up an arcade or a movie. I don't know yet. I didn't realize you'd want me to tag along."
"I would have liked for you to come with," she said. "But it's okay, I guess. We'll only be gone for a few hours anyway."
Mel then insisted that she was okay enough to get out of the bed so she slowly made her way back upstairs. Tay watched her for a moment till he rejoined Ike in the living room. Ike was engrossed in something on the
television and when Tay sat down, Ike said, "Look."
He turned up the volume on a somewhat legit Hollywood news show to see Jason all over the screen. It was already in the media how he was stalked by paparazzi as he walked through the airport in Tulsa the previous day. "You know how these people like to twist things," Ike said. "And she's going out with him tonight. You better prepare yourself for the backlash."
Tay looked at Ike and glanced back up at the screen. Little did Ike know, he'd been preparing himself since the day he made the call to Jason.
_______________________________________________
JASON
'Here we go again,' Jason thought to himself as he sat in Mel's driveway, preparing to get out of his rental car. At least this time he was leaving the house with her, alone. Or at least, they might be. Due to Taylor's text messages, the woman was in pretty rough shape. He couldn't help but be amused by this more than he was concerned.
He didn't know why he bothered getting himself ready to see her today. He could have just as easily rolled out of the bed and pulled on a wrinkled shirt. How he looked today wouldn't change the outcome of their evening. She would still go back home to HIM and he would still board a plane alone.
Still, though. In no matter what context, being around her made Jason feel like a better man. He liked who he was with her. Despite what his personal feelings were, he wouldn't dare treat Mel to a person who was any
less than himself completely.
He had to admit surprise when Mel answered the door. Surprised that she was functioning and surprised, and a little pleased, with how spectacular she looked. She always looked great, though. It didn't matter what she wore or what condition she was in. In Jason's eyes, she didn't know how to not be beautiful. He was pretty sure the long, white sweater she wore with the puffy shoulders was actually a dress, as the short, white ruffles
below her waist line barely reached her thighs and he couldn't help picturing it as such, without the black leggings she wore underneath. The memory of her bare legs quickly sparked images he knew he shouldn't be
having. The leather, thigh-high, stiletto boots she sported over her leggings didn't help his mind, either. From an outsider's point of view, she looked completely fashionable, all covered up with her high neck line
with the innocent matching flower and her "winter" boots. But since he had an uncontrollable habit of undressing her with his eyes, he had absolutely no problem immediately picking out the parts of the ensemble that made it irresistibly naughty. And then he felt like shit all over again at the knowledge that no demonstration of said naughty attire would be had that night.
She smiled at him, her eye makeup flawless as ever, as well. But in her eyes he could see how tired she was. He knew she didn't feel well. He felt kind of bad for being there. "Are you sure you're up for this?" He asked her as he stepped inside the door.
"I'm hung over, I'm not on my death bed," she joked.
He laughed. "If you say so. So what's the plan? It's too late for lunch, too early for dinner. You wanna just order in? Grab a little hair of the dog..."
"I dunno," she said, leading him into the living room. "We can play it by ear, I guess. By the say I saw you on TV today."
"What else is new?"
"No, I mean from the airport. Yesterday. How has it been since you've been here?"
"I haven't been followed here and nobody's been waiting for me at the hotel, so--well, scratch that. I think I did spot a camera in the hotel gym this morning. Which is fucking crazy, but I'm getting used to it, as much as I hate to admit it. I don't even see them as people anymore. Just cameras."
Not to be rude, Jason greeted the three brothers that took over Mel's living room. Never in a million years would he have ever thought he'd have any kind of Hanson connection. He remembered being juvenile and making fun of them in high school. But now he was friends with them and they were pretty cool guys. Who'd have thought it?
Upon learning that Taylor wouldn't be joining Mel and him on their outing that day, Jason's heart was warmed just a little. He liked Taylor and as much as it pained him, he respected his and Mel's relationship. But the
fact that the constant reminder wouldn't be staring him in the face all night definitely helped.
"So where are you two headed?" Taylor asked. "Have you decided yet?"
"I think Mel said we were gonna play it by--"
"Smoke," Mel interrupted suddenly.
"Smoke, huh?" Taylor responded. "Nice choice."
"Smoke?" Jason asked.
"Yeah," Mel answered. "It's like comfort food with an upscale flare. In a casual setting. It's pretty delicious. I love them."
"Will there be beer?" Jason asked.
"Would I disappoint?"
Jason smiled. "Well okay, then."
"Are you leaving now?" Taylor asked them.
Just then, three small boys came tearing into the room, two miniature versions of Isaac and one miniature version of Zac. They all came to a halt, bumping into each other when they saw Jason, their eyes slowly venturing upward. "Whoa!" One of them said.
Isaac chuckled, watching the scene. "You know, I didn't even think about the chances of this happening."
The next few minutes consisted of Jason interacting with the boys. Jason was an action star and the boys were obviously fans. The fact that their parents allowed them to watch his films surprised him a little. Though he wasn't sure how surprised he could be, seeing as there were action figures of him in existence. THAT, he would never get used to.
Awhile later Jason sat in the passenger seat of Mel's Jeep. He tried to be inconspicuous as he watched her drive. He had never been able to keep his eyes off her, even from the very first moment he saw her.
As she chattered on about life in general, his text alert went off on his cell phone. He didn't want to be rude and check it but he felt like he needed to in case it was his agent or his manager. Opening the text message, he read, "Hey, what are you up to?"
He stared hard into his phone in complete confusion, not really knowing what to do next. He looked over at Mel as she obliviously chatted away, and then looked back at his phone. It was Andrew Brooks.
_________________________________________________
MEL
Mel couldn't help herself. She watched Jason as he removed his scarf from around his neck and followed by removing his coat. Underneath he wore a snug, white, long-sleeved Henley shirt that outlined his chiseled muscles along his chest and arms. She could practically feel herself starting to drool.
"So, uh, looks like we chose to color coordinate," she said to him nervously as he sat down across from her. She loved Taylor with all her heart, but when a sexy man sat right before you, well--you noticed.
Jason smiled back at her. "Well, you know, great minds and all."
She laughed lightly as she watched him tuck some hair behind his ear, noticing his neck muscles a little easier with his hair tied back. His clean shave made his perfect jawline more prominent and his smile seem a little
bigger.
After ordering drinks, he said, "So. You have a wedding to plan. Or are planning."
Mel sighed. "Yeah. I do."
"That doesn't sound very enthusiastic. Trouble in paradise?"
"No. Everything's perfect, actually. I just--I don't know why I just can't get this wedding stuff off the ground."
"Damn. I figured you'd have everything all planned out down to the last detail before he even proposed."
"So did I. But the truth is, I'm drawing a blank. Like--like writer's block."
"I think you're over-thinking this," Jason's rich voice said matter-of-factly. "Your marriage to him shouldn't be this difficult."
"You've never been married. What do you know?"
"I don't have to be married to call it like I see it. If you focus more on your marriage to him than the wedding itself, the rest will probably come easier than you think. Stop thinking about it as work. It's a celebration, not a job."
Mel stared across the table at Jason in awe. His wisdom never did cease to amaze her. She smiled. "You always know the right thing to say. But I know you don't really want to talk about all this wedding madness."
A flicker of surprise momentarily crossed his eyes and he responded, "Uh, I'll talk about whatever makes you happy."
As their drinks showed up and they asked the server for extra time for their order, Mel looked at Jason suspiciously. "You really want to talk about my wedding? I mean, seriously."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"I mean--you know, never mind. Let's just order, I'm hungry."
As she lifted her menu to read it, Jason reached across and pushed it back down to the table. "Mel. Did I say something to piss you off? What's going on here?"
Caught off guard, she stared back at him. She didn't know how to answer because, honestly, she was feeling cranky in general but she didn't want to load him down with her problems. Not while she only had a few hours with him. That would have been unfair. "No. I only have a few hours with you until--well who knows when we'll get to hang out again. I don't want to load you down with all my problems and be a Debbie Downer."
"That's what I'm here for. That's what--well, that's supposed to be what friends are for and shit. You know."
"I've missed you," Mel said suddenly. It was the truth. Jason kept her sane in ways nobody else could. "Sometimes the phone just isn't enough."
His face softened. "I know. I've missed you, too. I'm extremely thankful that Taylor called and invited me here. He's a great guy, Mel. I mean it."
Mel smiled. "Thank you. I appreciate that."
With the mood lightened up, hunger revisited Mel's stomach in full force and for the next few minutes, the pair focused on the menu. As the server came back around and they placed their order, Mel found that she couldn't keep her eyes off of her. Her nametag read "Rachel" and she was extremely pretty. Her straight, blonde hair fell just over her shoulders and her blue eyes sparkled as Jason placed his order. She blushed when he smiled at her, but she didn't fawn over him. She almost seemed a little shy. Mel liked her immediately.
Rachel walked away after taking both of their orders and Mel found herself smiling across the table at Jason. He narrowed his eyes back at her. "What?"
"I like her."
Jason's eyes widened in surprise. "Who? The waitress?"
"Her name is Rachel."
"Uh, yeah, I guess she seemed nice."
"You like her?"
"I haven't really had much of a chance to judge her serving techniques, so..."
"I think she likes you."
"What are you talking about?"
"I'm a woman. I can see it. I can tell."
"I'm pretty sure she's just doing her job."
"Well. We'll see."
Mel couldn't help herself. Maybe it was guilt. She did feel guilt, that was true. She felt bad that she was coupled up with Tay now and that Jason was kind of a third wheel. She wished he would find himself a woman and settle down already. She also knew that she wouldn't be happy with any woman he brought around. None of them would be good enough for him. Except maybe Rachel. Since Mel picked her out and all.
When their food was finally served, and during their dinner, Mel made it a point to observe Rachel. She wasn't sure why she felt the need to distract herself like this. It certainly had nothing to do with the way Jason's hair escaped the hair tie and fell in his face, or how his deep laugh warmed her blood or how his green eyes sparkled at her every time she spoke to him. Oh, who was she kidding? She would always be attracted to him. And she would always have that very special place for him in her heart.
When they were finally stuffed and after-dinner cocktails sat in front of them, Mel leaned over the table and lowered her voice deviously. "I think you should give her your number."
Jason looked at Mel as if she were crazy. "Do what? I'm about to fly to Canada in a matter of hours. Why would I want to do something like that?"
"Who knows? You might hit it off. I mean, she's definitely pretty."
"Who says I'm even looking?"
This stopped Mel for a moment. She hadn't thought of that. And it really wasn't her business to be nosing into his love life, or lack thereof. Still, though... "Well what's stopping you?"
"You gotta fucking be kidding me."
"Seriously. I mean what's going on with you lately? We spend all this time talking about me and all my mess, but all I ever get from you is where you're flying, where you've been, or what's going on on set on this day or
that."
"Maybe that's all there is to tell."
"Why?"
"Mel, what do you want? You want my soul? All my deepest, darkest secrets? You want blood? You want my grooming schedule? WHAT?"
Mel was taken aback. This conversation took a turn she hadn't expected and undeniably she was a little hurt. "Uh, well, I just--we've always shared everything. I mean back when--"
"Things were different then."
Mel glanced down at the table, not know what to do or say next. She looked back up at Jason's stern expression. "But--I mean, I thought we were in a good--"
"What's going on with you? Why are you acting like this? Is this pity? Is this you throwing me a pity party or some shit?"
Mel's hand landed on the table a little harder than she had intended, shaking their glasses and receiving glances from the next table over. "I'm sorry," Mel said, lowering her voice. "I'm trying, okay? I really am. I thought we were in a good place but honestly I'm still learning how to be just friends with you."
Jason narrowed his eyes at her. "I thought that's all we ever were."
"Well, yes, that's true, but then knowing what I know now--or at least how it was then--"
"Oh, I get it. So this is weird for you," he said accusingly. "YOU'RE the one who was all about it not getting weird. You were so insistent. And here I've been over here fighting it for god knows how long--for YOU--and now you're gonna sit here and pull the fucking weird card on me." Jason slung back the remainder of his drink and sat back in his seat. "Unbelievable."
Mel was hurt but she was also a little tired of feeling like the victim here and she was equally as tired of Jason playing one. This was not like him, nor was it becoming of him. "You are the one person who knows me deep
down--down in places I never knew existed before I met you. Jason, you found me and you pulled me up from a very, very dark place. And okay, yeah, so things are a little weird. I mean, that's natural right? But they can't be weird forever. And I plan to support you in whatever endeavor you find yourself in, be it romantic or not, and I expect the same from you. You're important to me."
Jason stared at her for a moment. She could see his expression softening, which was a step in the right direction. As he sat back in his seat, his exposed forearm lay across the table, a piece of napkin being wadded
into a ball between his thumb and forefinger. "You're important to me, too," he finally said softly.
Hope and a sense of relief rose in her again. "Well--good. Because I need you. I do. I mean I have people in my corner and all, but it's not the same. I need YOU and I need your support. I need you to be there. Just like I am for you."
Jason smiled softly. "You know I'm not ever going anywhere. No matter what. I don't ever want you to fear losing me. In turn, you're the only person right now, besides my mom and my cousin, that I can truly depend on. I need someone who can ground me with all this Hollywood craziness I have going on, you know? You knew me before, however briefly. It doesn't matter. I need someone to remind me that I'm still me from time to time and you're the best man for the job."
Mel smiled. Whatever horrible direction this conversation was going on was quickly brought right back down. This was why she loved Jason. This was why he was her best friend.
Jason leaned over in his chair and fished his cell phone out of his back pocket. "Uh, which brings me to my next point of business that I kinda didn't want to bring up, but I feel it's kinda necessary because I honestly
don't know what to do about it and I want to be completely up front with you and on the same page."
Mel was completely puzzled. What was going on here? Her mind immediately went to Tay. Did Jason know something she didn't? Why did she have a feeling that she wouldn't like what was coming next?
"Um, Drew texted me today," he continued. "While we were on our way here, actually."
Mel felt like the wind had been knocked out of her. Breathing became momentarily difficult. She stared back at him. "Have you been talking to her?"
He shook his head. "This is the first time I've heard from her in months. I mean I talk to Gerard a few times per month but I haven't seen or heard from Drew. Here." He reached across the table and laid his cell phone down in front of her. "It's right there. I didn't respond because I didn't really know what to do with it."
She stared at his phone and back up at him, not wanting to believe it. Before she even touched the phone, she said to him, "Why doesn't she want to talk to me?"
It was clear he didn't know to respond and she didn't expect him to. "I call her and I text her and I email her," Mel continued. "And I just figure maybe she's busy. I mean she is a huge celebrity now, but--and she
promised me she would never lose touch. But I never went anywhere, Jason. I'm still here. I never changed my number or my address or anything."
"I know," he said gently.
"Anything," Mel confirmed. "Is she mad at me or something? Did I do or say something wrong? You don't think--you think she resents me for sticking around for so long after John died? Like maybe I held her back? You think I'm just not good enough for her anymore? Why is she texting you instead of me?"
"I don't know the answers to your questions," he responded. "But I'm confident that you didn't say or do anything wrong. I mean, how could you if you haven't spoken to her, right?"
"She was supposed to be my matron of honor, you know. I mean I hadn't gotten around to asking her yet but I thought it was a given. I ended up asking Nikki. She's been so great, she's a really good friend, you know."
"She seems like a great person."
"She is."
Jason straightened up in his seat. "You're welcome to do whatever you want with that message. It's right there. You can respond if you want. You can pretend to be me and text her from my phone if it makes you
feel more comfortable. I'll take the fall, it's okay. Or you could not respond at all. Whatever you decide to do, it's okay."
"It shouldn't have come to this," Mel said, taking Jason's phone in her hand. "We've been friends since we were kids, I should have no problem contacting her. And I don't. I just have a problem getting a response."
She lit up his screen and went into his text messages. There it was, in black and white, a text from Drew. "Hey. What are you up to?" Just casual and nonchalant, like they talk all the time.
She looked up at Jason one more time as if she needed reassurance that responding as himself was okay with him but she knew it was. And so she did. "I'm just hanging out. What's up?" Quickly she put the phone down and looked up at Jason. She was afraid of the wait.
Within a minute his phone vibrated. Her eyes widened at Jason and she glanced down at his phone. It was Drew. "Where are you?"
Mel looked at the phone in confusion. This was just bizarre. She looked back up at Jason. "She wants to know where you are."
"Tell her whatever you want. Lie, tell the truth...you say whatever you want to say to her. You can pose as me, tell her it's you. Like I said, whatever you decide to do, it's okay with me."
Mel looked back down at his phone. She decided to lie. Judging by how her efforts had been thwarted so far, she gathered that if she told Drew the truth she'd disappear then, as well. "Getting ready to hop a plane to
Canada in a few hours. What's going on with you? Haven't heard from you in awhile."
"Are you still in Cali? You wanna meet up for drinks or something before you leave?"
"What the fuck?" Mel couldn't help but say out loud. She couldn't deny that this was starting to piss her off.
"What?" Jason asked, curiously.
"I told her you were leaving for Canada and she wants to know if you're still in California and if you want to meet for drinks before you leave. Are you sure you haven't been talking to her?"
"Mel, I swear to god. I wouldn't lie to you. You know that. I'm a lot of things, but a liar isn't one of them. My word means everything to me."
Mel sighed. "I know. I'm sorry. I just--I don't get it."
"So what are you gonna say?"
Without answering, Mel typed into his phone, "With me?"
"Yes," was Drew's text response.
"Are you sure you're texting the right person?"
"Of course! This is Jason, right?"
"Yes."
"Then, yes, you're the one I want."
"What?"
"I mean you're the one I'm trying to get ahold of."
Mel's blood was boiling. She looked up at Jason. "Jason--I don't--I--I think she's trying to come on to you."
Surprise and confusion both took over Jason's face. "She's what? Is she drunk?"
"I don't know...you sure you don't have her programmed under some other chick's phone number or something?"
Jason looked at her matter-of-factly. "I know you're trying to make sense of this, but give me a little credit here."
Mel texted back. "Excuse me for being a little surprised, but you popped up out of the blue and I'm about to leave soon. Timing's a bit off right now."
"I know. I'm sorry. I just want to see you."
Mel was furious. She swallowed hard as if she were trying to suppress the rage but she felt it coming anyway. "That's exactly what she's doing," she muttered under her breath.
"Pardon?" Jason asked.
"She IS coming on to you. That's exactly what she's doing."
"But she's married."
"Exactly."
"I appreciate the invite and the sentiment but I was actually gonna call Mel and chat with her before I left. Haven't gotten to talk to her in awhile."
"I talk to her all the time. But I'm sure you already knew that."
"Of course, I'd expect no less."
"Come out with me," Drew texted back. "I'll make it worth your while."
"Worth my while? Are you being for real right now?"
"You'd be surprised at what I'm capable of."
And with that, Mel was done. Her face must have read an expression she wasn't aware of because after asking if she was okay, Jason hastily filled out the check receipt that Rachel had brought over. Mel jumped up and slung her coat around her body and looked him dead in his eyes before he even had a chance to stand. "From this day forward, if I EVER hear of you being alone ANYWHERE with Drew, we are done. Our friendship will be
over."
"Excuse me?"
Not waiting around, she grabbed his phone and hit the 'call' button on Drew's number and stormed out the front door, hearing Jason call her name faintly in the background.
Drew answered on the other end as soon as the cold air hit Mel's face. She barely noticed. "Hey, you," Drew flirted. "Long time, no talk."
"You're goddamn right, long time, not talk," Mel spat into the phone. "What in the fuck do you think you're doing? And who in the fuck do you think you're doing it with?"
"Mel?" Drew's voice asked in confusion.
At this point Jason had come out of the restaurant and taken a stance in front of Mel. He looked at her expectantly and she held up a finger signaling for him to hold on, barely noticing the flashing of camera bulbs that had apparently come out of nowhere the moment Jason stepped outside.
"Mel, what are you doing there?" Drew asked.
"I am in Tulsa. Jason is with ME. You've been texting with ME. How dare you? You should be ashamed of yourself. You are a married woman."
"Mel how 'bout we move this somewhere else?" Jason hissed at her.
Mel ignored him.
"I can't believe you're pretending to be him," Drew snapped.
"And I can't fucking believe that I've tried to contact you for months and you've just chosen to blow me off like I'm fucking nothing. And then you text JASON? It's always been about dick for you. And you can't ever go and fucking get your own. No. You had your little one-night fling with Tay when we were teenagers. And I KNOW you fucked John. I just know it, but I can't prove it. And now you want Jason? Let me tell you something, you fucking whore, this stops NOW! And if you ever valued our friendship at all you'll fucking lose this number as
soon as I hang up the phone. IF there's anything left to salvage. Oh, and by the way? I asked Nikki to be my matron of honor a few weeks ago because you can't return a goddamn phone call and she's a fucking amazing
woman. So fuck you."
Mel then ended the call and slapped Jason's phone back in his hand.
"Give me your keys," Jason said. "You're not driving." He snatched her keys from her and grabbed her hand, starting hastily with her down the street, amidst the following cameras
Mel didn't argue. She knew she was in no state to drive, as well. Within minutes, Jason helped Mel into the Jeep and drove her home.
MEL
The next morning was a blur. Mel woke up in a groggy state. She knew she was still drunk and, what was worse, she had no idea why the hell she was even awake. She woke up to an empty bed, not surprised. It figured Taylor would be up and at 'em already.
As she rolled out of bed, she looked down at herself. She didn't even remember changing clothes, yet there she stood in pajama pants and a t-shirt. Shuffling slowly to the bedroom door, she opened it to the flood
of daylight that pierced her eye sockets. She loved her large, open windows. They were her favorite feature in her house. But not today.
After pausing for a moment, she shuffled to the stairs and made her way down. As she descended, she saw Tay and Isaac sitting in the living room. "Well good morning, Sunshine," Tay smiled. "How're you feeling?"
Mel stopped midway down. "Where's Zac?"
"In bed."
"Where's Kate?"
"She and Nikki left to take the kids shopping."
"Good."
Wordlessly, she finished her trip down the stairs and rounded the corner, shuffling down the small hallway under the balcony.
"Uh, where are you going?" Tay called behind her.
Mel grunted her response incoherently as she opened the door to the guest room Zac was sleeping in. It was dark, with only slivers of light shining through cracks in the curtains. Most of the light shone through the
window, flooding in from the open bathroom door. She then trudged to the bed and crawled in the opposite side from Zac. As she settled herself in and pulled the brown down comforter up around her, he stirred and cracked one eye open. "What the hell are you doing in here?" his groggy voice asked.
"Sleeping," she grunted, her tone matching his.
"No. Go away. I'm sleeping here. Leave me alone."
"Shut up and go back to sleep."
As Mel started to doze off, she heard voices in the doorway. "What the hell is she doing?" she heard Ike ask.
"I don't know but it's kinda hilarious," Tay responded.
"She has way too many men," Ike said.
"Tell me about it. And this might annoy me if it wasn't so damn funny."
Mel would have found herself more aggravated at being spied on, had Zac not started yapping his damn trap again. "Mel, seriously. Go away. Let me sleep."
"I'm not even bothering you. Plus, I like this bed and it's my house. Quit complaining and go back to sleep. You better not be naked under there."
Zac groaned. "No. I'm pretty sure I'm in the same clothes from last night."
"Ew, Zac. That's gross." Mel remembered the previous night's events and her stomach slightly churned.
"I didn't invite you in here."
"I don't care."
"Well don't complain when I fart. I'm ruthless."
"I know."
"Okay."
The last thing Mel remembered smelling was the remnants of the scent of Kate's shampoo on the pillow. She made a mental note to ask her what she used before she drifted off to sleep.
______________________________________
TAYLOR
Nikki and Kate had planned a New Year's Day shopping trip with the kids and then Nikki was going to bring her boys and Kate's oldest son back over for a little guys' night. Therefore it was only logical that Isaac and Zac hang back at Taylor's house for the day.
"I can't believe you just videoed that," Tay said to his older brother.
Ike smiled as he reviewed the video on his phone. "Never a dull moment, huh?"
Tay smiled and shook his head. "There never really has been. What are you gonna do with that?"
"Don't know. I figure I'll show it to them at some point."
"So Jason's coming back over today," Tay said, suddenly changing the subject.
"Oh?" Ike responded, lowering his phone. "And how are you with that?"
"Well, I'm the one who invited him, so..."
"I'm proud of you," Ike said. "Really. You're making the effort and that's really cool."
"Thanks. I'm still a little weird about it, I'm not gonna lie."
"That's natural. But he's a good guy. He really is. I know you don't need that driven into your head because you already know it, but a reminder now and then doesn't hurt."
"Ike, I just want her happy. That's it. This guy just happens to be her best friend and that's the hand I've been dealt. I'm not gonna be that guy, the one who tells her who she can be friends with and all that shit. Especially with this whole Drew thing--"
"What's going on with Drew?"
"I don't know, that's kind of the point. There's a difference between being busy and falling off the face of the planet. I mean, I don't know anything about actors, but--I mean it's been, like, four months without a word from her. Mel constantly tries to contact her and gets nowhere and any time the subject comes up she finds excuses to make for her. So the least I can do is keep Jason around, who IS dependable and who cares about
her--"
"You're a good man, Tay. You know that?" Ike said to him. "You really are a good man. Anyone else would see your fiancée out with Jason or in bed with your brother and think the worst, but you--"
Tay smiled shyly. "Yeah, yeah, Zac is harmless. He couldn't handle her anyway."
"Okay! This is where this conversation ends!"
The two brothers laughed.
Awhile later, after Ike and Tay had watched a movie and done a little acoustic jamming, they agreed that it was time to get the party animals out of bed. Tay walked into the dark bedroom where the pair snoozed and sat
on the edge of the bed by Mel. She lay curled up in a ball against Zac's back. Tay shook his head as he decided to try the gentle approach. Saying her name softly, he moved her hair from her face.
Slowly she stirred, stretching out and groaning. At this response, he said her name again.
This time her eyes began to open. "Huh?" she asked.
Tay smiled. "Mel, you gotta get up and get moving."
"I already moved today."
"I mean for real this time. Moving from one bed to another doesn't count."
"What time is it?"
"After one."
Mel groaned again, causing Zac to stir beside her. Slowly, she scooted herself away from him and closer to Tay. "Lay down with me," she said. "Snuggle with me."
Tay couldn't help but laugh. "You've been snuggling with Zac for the last three hours."
"Are you kidding? Zac didn't snuggle shit. All he does is sleep."
"I didn't invite you here," Zac reminded her, his voice muffled from his pillow.
"My head hurts so bad," Mel said to Tay in an almost whisper. "I need you to bring me something. Anything. I don't care. Do we have any Excedrin?"
"I think that's for migraines," Tay said.
Mel was instantly annoyed. "A hammer, then. Do we have a fucking hammer? Tay, I'm serious, I need SOMETHING to dull this headache enough so I can at least stand up."
Minutes later, Tay left the room and returned to what appeared to be a little less-dead version of his fiancée. She had sat herself up against the pillows and turned the bedside lamp on beside her. Zac lay next to her on his back, staring at the ceiling.
"Thank you," she said to him as she took what he brought to her. She looked down at Zac and offered him her glass. "You okay?"
"I'm fighting the urge to pee," he said.
"Don't wet the bed."
He furrowed his brow at her and sat up, accepting her water glass.
Tay sat on the edge of the bed in front of her. "Don't forget, Jason's coming today. He should be here in a couple of hours."
"A couple of hours? Tay, I'm in no condition for company today, honestly. I'm not. I'm not even functional."
"He's a very busy person. This is the only time off he has. As soon as he leaves Tulsa, his plane is taking him straight to Canada to start a new movie. You need to spend some time with him today."
"Why are you pushing this?"
"Because he's your friend. And he took the time to come here and see you. He made the effort, you owe him the same."
Mel sighed. "You're right. You're absolutely right. I have no room to be selfish here."
"I'm sorry you're feeling bad," Tay said.
She smiled. "It's my fault I can't control myself sometimes."
"I'm starving," Zac muttered, getting himself up and sitting on the edge of the bed.
"There's pizza in our future, buddy, don't worry," Tay told him.
"Wait, you're not going out with us?" Mel asked. She looked hurt.
"No, I thought you'd want to spend some time alone with him," he responded. He could barely get the words out of his mouth. Thinking them was bad enough. "Nikki's bringing the boys over and we're gonna do guy stuff. Go out for pizza, maybe hit up an arcade or a movie. I don't know yet. I didn't realize you'd want me to tag along."
"I would have liked for you to come with," she said. "But it's okay, I guess. We'll only be gone for a few hours anyway."
Mel then insisted that she was okay enough to get out of the bed so she slowly made her way back upstairs. Tay watched her for a moment till he rejoined Ike in the living room. Ike was engrossed in something on the
television and when Tay sat down, Ike said, "Look."
He turned up the volume on a somewhat legit Hollywood news show to see Jason all over the screen. It was already in the media how he was stalked by paparazzi as he walked through the airport in Tulsa the previous day. "You know how these people like to twist things," Ike said. "And she's going out with him tonight. You better prepare yourself for the backlash."
Tay looked at Ike and glanced back up at the screen. Little did Ike know, he'd been preparing himself since the day he made the call to Jason.
_______________________________________________
JASON
'Here we go again,' Jason thought to himself as he sat in Mel's driveway, preparing to get out of his rental car. At least this time he was leaving the house with her, alone. Or at least, they might be. Due to Taylor's text messages, the woman was in pretty rough shape. He couldn't help but be amused by this more than he was concerned.
He didn't know why he bothered getting himself ready to see her today. He could have just as easily rolled out of the bed and pulled on a wrinkled shirt. How he looked today wouldn't change the outcome of their evening. She would still go back home to HIM and he would still board a plane alone.
Still, though. In no matter what context, being around her made Jason feel like a better man. He liked who he was with her. Despite what his personal feelings were, he wouldn't dare treat Mel to a person who was any
less than himself completely.
He had to admit surprise when Mel answered the door. Surprised that she was functioning and surprised, and a little pleased, with how spectacular she looked. She always looked great, though. It didn't matter what she wore or what condition she was in. In Jason's eyes, she didn't know how to not be beautiful. He was pretty sure the long, white sweater she wore with the puffy shoulders was actually a dress, as the short, white ruffles
below her waist line barely reached her thighs and he couldn't help picturing it as such, without the black leggings she wore underneath. The memory of her bare legs quickly sparked images he knew he shouldn't be
having. The leather, thigh-high, stiletto boots she sported over her leggings didn't help his mind, either. From an outsider's point of view, she looked completely fashionable, all covered up with her high neck line
with the innocent matching flower and her "winter" boots. But since he had an uncontrollable habit of undressing her with his eyes, he had absolutely no problem immediately picking out the parts of the ensemble that made it irresistibly naughty. And then he felt like shit all over again at the knowledge that no demonstration of said naughty attire would be had that night.
She smiled at him, her eye makeup flawless as ever, as well. But in her eyes he could see how tired she was. He knew she didn't feel well. He felt kind of bad for being there. "Are you sure you're up for this?" He asked her as he stepped inside the door.
"I'm hung over, I'm not on my death bed," she joked.
He laughed. "If you say so. So what's the plan? It's too late for lunch, too early for dinner. You wanna just order in? Grab a little hair of the dog..."
"I dunno," she said, leading him into the living room. "We can play it by ear, I guess. By the say I saw you on TV today."
"What else is new?"
"No, I mean from the airport. Yesterday. How has it been since you've been here?"
"I haven't been followed here and nobody's been waiting for me at the hotel, so--well, scratch that. I think I did spot a camera in the hotel gym this morning. Which is fucking crazy, but I'm getting used to it, as much as I hate to admit it. I don't even see them as people anymore. Just cameras."
Not to be rude, Jason greeted the three brothers that took over Mel's living room. Never in a million years would he have ever thought he'd have any kind of Hanson connection. He remembered being juvenile and making fun of them in high school. But now he was friends with them and they were pretty cool guys. Who'd have thought it?
Upon learning that Taylor wouldn't be joining Mel and him on their outing that day, Jason's heart was warmed just a little. He liked Taylor and as much as it pained him, he respected his and Mel's relationship. But the
fact that the constant reminder wouldn't be staring him in the face all night definitely helped.
"So where are you two headed?" Taylor asked. "Have you decided yet?"
"I think Mel said we were gonna play it by--"
"Smoke," Mel interrupted suddenly.
"Smoke, huh?" Taylor responded. "Nice choice."
"Smoke?" Jason asked.
"Yeah," Mel answered. "It's like comfort food with an upscale flare. In a casual setting. It's pretty delicious. I love them."
"Will there be beer?" Jason asked.
"Would I disappoint?"
Jason smiled. "Well okay, then."
"Are you leaving now?" Taylor asked them.
Just then, three small boys came tearing into the room, two miniature versions of Isaac and one miniature version of Zac. They all came to a halt, bumping into each other when they saw Jason, their eyes slowly venturing upward. "Whoa!" One of them said.
Isaac chuckled, watching the scene. "You know, I didn't even think about the chances of this happening."
The next few minutes consisted of Jason interacting with the boys. Jason was an action star and the boys were obviously fans. The fact that their parents allowed them to watch his films surprised him a little. Though he wasn't sure how surprised he could be, seeing as there were action figures of him in existence. THAT, he would never get used to.
Awhile later Jason sat in the passenger seat of Mel's Jeep. He tried to be inconspicuous as he watched her drive. He had never been able to keep his eyes off her, even from the very first moment he saw her.
As she chattered on about life in general, his text alert went off on his cell phone. He didn't want to be rude and check it but he felt like he needed to in case it was his agent or his manager. Opening the text message, he read, "Hey, what are you up to?"
He stared hard into his phone in complete confusion, not really knowing what to do next. He looked over at Mel as she obliviously chatted away, and then looked back at his phone. It was Andrew Brooks.
_________________________________________________
MEL
Mel couldn't help herself. She watched Jason as he removed his scarf from around his neck and followed by removing his coat. Underneath he wore a snug, white, long-sleeved Henley shirt that outlined his chiseled muscles along his chest and arms. She could practically feel herself starting to drool.
"So, uh, looks like we chose to color coordinate," she said to him nervously as he sat down across from her. She loved Taylor with all her heart, but when a sexy man sat right before you, well--you noticed.
Jason smiled back at her. "Well, you know, great minds and all."
She laughed lightly as she watched him tuck some hair behind his ear, noticing his neck muscles a little easier with his hair tied back. His clean shave made his perfect jawline more prominent and his smile seem a little
bigger.
After ordering drinks, he said, "So. You have a wedding to plan. Or are planning."
Mel sighed. "Yeah. I do."
"That doesn't sound very enthusiastic. Trouble in paradise?"
"No. Everything's perfect, actually. I just--I don't know why I just can't get this wedding stuff off the ground."
"Damn. I figured you'd have everything all planned out down to the last detail before he even proposed."
"So did I. But the truth is, I'm drawing a blank. Like--like writer's block."
"I think you're over-thinking this," Jason's rich voice said matter-of-factly. "Your marriage to him shouldn't be this difficult."
"You've never been married. What do you know?"
"I don't have to be married to call it like I see it. If you focus more on your marriage to him than the wedding itself, the rest will probably come easier than you think. Stop thinking about it as work. It's a celebration, not a job."
Mel stared across the table at Jason in awe. His wisdom never did cease to amaze her. She smiled. "You always know the right thing to say. But I know you don't really want to talk about all this wedding madness."
A flicker of surprise momentarily crossed his eyes and he responded, "Uh, I'll talk about whatever makes you happy."
As their drinks showed up and they asked the server for extra time for their order, Mel looked at Jason suspiciously. "You really want to talk about my wedding? I mean, seriously."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"I mean--you know, never mind. Let's just order, I'm hungry."
As she lifted her menu to read it, Jason reached across and pushed it back down to the table. "Mel. Did I say something to piss you off? What's going on here?"
Caught off guard, she stared back at him. She didn't know how to answer because, honestly, she was feeling cranky in general but she didn't want to load him down with her problems. Not while she only had a few hours with him. That would have been unfair. "No. I only have a few hours with you until--well who knows when we'll get to hang out again. I don't want to load you down with all my problems and be a Debbie Downer."
"That's what I'm here for. That's what--well, that's supposed to be what friends are for and shit. You know."
"I've missed you," Mel said suddenly. It was the truth. Jason kept her sane in ways nobody else could. "Sometimes the phone just isn't enough."
His face softened. "I know. I've missed you, too. I'm extremely thankful that Taylor called and invited me here. He's a great guy, Mel. I mean it."
Mel smiled. "Thank you. I appreciate that."
With the mood lightened up, hunger revisited Mel's stomach in full force and for the next few minutes, the pair focused on the menu. As the server came back around and they placed their order, Mel found that she couldn't keep her eyes off of her. Her nametag read "Rachel" and she was extremely pretty. Her straight, blonde hair fell just over her shoulders and her blue eyes sparkled as Jason placed his order. She blushed when he smiled at her, but she didn't fawn over him. She almost seemed a little shy. Mel liked her immediately.
Rachel walked away after taking both of their orders and Mel found herself smiling across the table at Jason. He narrowed his eyes back at her. "What?"
"I like her."
Jason's eyes widened in surprise. "Who? The waitress?"
"Her name is Rachel."
"Uh, yeah, I guess she seemed nice."
"You like her?"
"I haven't really had much of a chance to judge her serving techniques, so..."
"I think she likes you."
"What are you talking about?"
"I'm a woman. I can see it. I can tell."
"I'm pretty sure she's just doing her job."
"Well. We'll see."
Mel couldn't help herself. Maybe it was guilt. She did feel guilt, that was true. She felt bad that she was coupled up with Tay now and that Jason was kind of a third wheel. She wished he would find himself a woman and settle down already. She also knew that she wouldn't be happy with any woman he brought around. None of them would be good enough for him. Except maybe Rachel. Since Mel picked her out and all.
When their food was finally served, and during their dinner, Mel made it a point to observe Rachel. She wasn't sure why she felt the need to distract herself like this. It certainly had nothing to do with the way Jason's hair escaped the hair tie and fell in his face, or how his deep laugh warmed her blood or how his green eyes sparkled at her every time she spoke to him. Oh, who was she kidding? She would always be attracted to him. And she would always have that very special place for him in her heart.
When they were finally stuffed and after-dinner cocktails sat in front of them, Mel leaned over the table and lowered her voice deviously. "I think you should give her your number."
Jason looked at Mel as if she were crazy. "Do what? I'm about to fly to Canada in a matter of hours. Why would I want to do something like that?"
"Who knows? You might hit it off. I mean, she's definitely pretty."
"Who says I'm even looking?"
This stopped Mel for a moment. She hadn't thought of that. And it really wasn't her business to be nosing into his love life, or lack thereof. Still, though... "Well what's stopping you?"
"You gotta fucking be kidding me."
"Seriously. I mean what's going on with you lately? We spend all this time talking about me and all my mess, but all I ever get from you is where you're flying, where you've been, or what's going on on set on this day or
that."
"Maybe that's all there is to tell."
"Why?"
"Mel, what do you want? You want my soul? All my deepest, darkest secrets? You want blood? You want my grooming schedule? WHAT?"
Mel was taken aback. This conversation took a turn she hadn't expected and undeniably she was a little hurt. "Uh, well, I just--we've always shared everything. I mean back when--"
"Things were different then."
Mel glanced down at the table, not know what to do or say next. She looked back up at Jason's stern expression. "But--I mean, I thought we were in a good--"
"What's going on with you? Why are you acting like this? Is this pity? Is this you throwing me a pity party or some shit?"
Mel's hand landed on the table a little harder than she had intended, shaking their glasses and receiving glances from the next table over. "I'm sorry," Mel said, lowering her voice. "I'm trying, okay? I really am. I thought we were in a good place but honestly I'm still learning how to be just friends with you."
Jason narrowed his eyes at her. "I thought that's all we ever were."
"Well, yes, that's true, but then knowing what I know now--or at least how it was then--"
"Oh, I get it. So this is weird for you," he said accusingly. "YOU'RE the one who was all about it not getting weird. You were so insistent. And here I've been over here fighting it for god knows how long--for YOU--and now you're gonna sit here and pull the fucking weird card on me." Jason slung back the remainder of his drink and sat back in his seat. "Unbelievable."
Mel was hurt but she was also a little tired of feeling like the victim here and she was equally as tired of Jason playing one. This was not like him, nor was it becoming of him. "You are the one person who knows me deep
down--down in places I never knew existed before I met you. Jason, you found me and you pulled me up from a very, very dark place. And okay, yeah, so things are a little weird. I mean, that's natural right? But they can't be weird forever. And I plan to support you in whatever endeavor you find yourself in, be it romantic or not, and I expect the same from you. You're important to me."
Jason stared at her for a moment. She could see his expression softening, which was a step in the right direction. As he sat back in his seat, his exposed forearm lay across the table, a piece of napkin being wadded
into a ball between his thumb and forefinger. "You're important to me, too," he finally said softly.
Hope and a sense of relief rose in her again. "Well--good. Because I need you. I do. I mean I have people in my corner and all, but it's not the same. I need YOU and I need your support. I need you to be there. Just like I am for you."
Jason smiled softly. "You know I'm not ever going anywhere. No matter what. I don't ever want you to fear losing me. In turn, you're the only person right now, besides my mom and my cousin, that I can truly depend on. I need someone who can ground me with all this Hollywood craziness I have going on, you know? You knew me before, however briefly. It doesn't matter. I need someone to remind me that I'm still me from time to time and you're the best man for the job."
Mel smiled. Whatever horrible direction this conversation was going on was quickly brought right back down. This was why she loved Jason. This was why he was her best friend.
Jason leaned over in his chair and fished his cell phone out of his back pocket. "Uh, which brings me to my next point of business that I kinda didn't want to bring up, but I feel it's kinda necessary because I honestly
don't know what to do about it and I want to be completely up front with you and on the same page."
Mel was completely puzzled. What was going on here? Her mind immediately went to Tay. Did Jason know something she didn't? Why did she have a feeling that she wouldn't like what was coming next?
"Um, Drew texted me today," he continued. "While we were on our way here, actually."
Mel felt like the wind had been knocked out of her. Breathing became momentarily difficult. She stared back at him. "Have you been talking to her?"
He shook his head. "This is the first time I've heard from her in months. I mean I talk to Gerard a few times per month but I haven't seen or heard from Drew. Here." He reached across the table and laid his cell phone down in front of her. "It's right there. I didn't respond because I didn't really know what to do with it."
She stared at his phone and back up at him, not wanting to believe it. Before she even touched the phone, she said to him, "Why doesn't she want to talk to me?"
It was clear he didn't know to respond and she didn't expect him to. "I call her and I text her and I email her," Mel continued. "And I just figure maybe she's busy. I mean she is a huge celebrity now, but--and she
promised me she would never lose touch. But I never went anywhere, Jason. I'm still here. I never changed my number or my address or anything."
"I know," he said gently.
"Anything," Mel confirmed. "Is she mad at me or something? Did I do or say something wrong? You don't think--you think she resents me for sticking around for so long after John died? Like maybe I held her back? You think I'm just not good enough for her anymore? Why is she texting you instead of me?"
"I don't know the answers to your questions," he responded. "But I'm confident that you didn't say or do anything wrong. I mean, how could you if you haven't spoken to her, right?"
"She was supposed to be my matron of honor, you know. I mean I hadn't gotten around to asking her yet but I thought it was a given. I ended up asking Nikki. She's been so great, she's a really good friend, you know."
"She seems like a great person."
"She is."
Jason straightened up in his seat. "You're welcome to do whatever you want with that message. It's right there. You can respond if you want. You can pretend to be me and text her from my phone if it makes you
feel more comfortable. I'll take the fall, it's okay. Or you could not respond at all. Whatever you decide to do, it's okay."
"It shouldn't have come to this," Mel said, taking Jason's phone in her hand. "We've been friends since we were kids, I should have no problem contacting her. And I don't. I just have a problem getting a response."
She lit up his screen and went into his text messages. There it was, in black and white, a text from Drew. "Hey. What are you up to?" Just casual and nonchalant, like they talk all the time.
She looked up at Jason one more time as if she needed reassurance that responding as himself was okay with him but she knew it was. And so she did. "I'm just hanging out. What's up?" Quickly she put the phone down and looked up at Jason. She was afraid of the wait.
Within a minute his phone vibrated. Her eyes widened at Jason and she glanced down at his phone. It was Drew. "Where are you?"
Mel looked at the phone in confusion. This was just bizarre. She looked back up at Jason. "She wants to know where you are."
"Tell her whatever you want. Lie, tell the truth...you say whatever you want to say to her. You can pose as me, tell her it's you. Like I said, whatever you decide to do, it's okay with me."
Mel looked back down at his phone. She decided to lie. Judging by how her efforts had been thwarted so far, she gathered that if she told Drew the truth she'd disappear then, as well. "Getting ready to hop a plane to
Canada in a few hours. What's going on with you? Haven't heard from you in awhile."
"Are you still in Cali? You wanna meet up for drinks or something before you leave?"
"What the fuck?" Mel couldn't help but say out loud. She couldn't deny that this was starting to piss her off.
"What?" Jason asked, curiously.
"I told her you were leaving for Canada and she wants to know if you're still in California and if you want to meet for drinks before you leave. Are you sure you haven't been talking to her?"
"Mel, I swear to god. I wouldn't lie to you. You know that. I'm a lot of things, but a liar isn't one of them. My word means everything to me."
Mel sighed. "I know. I'm sorry. I just--I don't get it."
"So what are you gonna say?"
Without answering, Mel typed into his phone, "With me?"
"Yes," was Drew's text response.
"Are you sure you're texting the right person?"
"Of course! This is Jason, right?"
"Yes."
"Then, yes, you're the one I want."
"What?"
"I mean you're the one I'm trying to get ahold of."
Mel's blood was boiling. She looked up at Jason. "Jason--I don't--I--I think she's trying to come on to you."
Surprise and confusion both took over Jason's face. "She's what? Is she drunk?"
"I don't know...you sure you don't have her programmed under some other chick's phone number or something?"
Jason looked at her matter-of-factly. "I know you're trying to make sense of this, but give me a little credit here."
Mel texted back. "Excuse me for being a little surprised, but you popped up out of the blue and I'm about to leave soon. Timing's a bit off right now."
"I know. I'm sorry. I just want to see you."
Mel was furious. She swallowed hard as if she were trying to suppress the rage but she felt it coming anyway. "That's exactly what she's doing," she muttered under her breath.
"Pardon?" Jason asked.
"She IS coming on to you. That's exactly what she's doing."
"But she's married."
"Exactly."
"I appreciate the invite and the sentiment but I was actually gonna call Mel and chat with her before I left. Haven't gotten to talk to her in awhile."
"I talk to her all the time. But I'm sure you already knew that."
"Of course, I'd expect no less."
"Come out with me," Drew texted back. "I'll make it worth your while."
"Worth my while? Are you being for real right now?"
"You'd be surprised at what I'm capable of."
And with that, Mel was done. Her face must have read an expression she wasn't aware of because after asking if she was okay, Jason hastily filled out the check receipt that Rachel had brought over. Mel jumped up and slung her coat around her body and looked him dead in his eyes before he even had a chance to stand. "From this day forward, if I EVER hear of you being alone ANYWHERE with Drew, we are done. Our friendship will be
over."
"Excuse me?"
Not waiting around, she grabbed his phone and hit the 'call' button on Drew's number and stormed out the front door, hearing Jason call her name faintly in the background.
Drew answered on the other end as soon as the cold air hit Mel's face. She barely noticed. "Hey, you," Drew flirted. "Long time, no talk."
"You're goddamn right, long time, not talk," Mel spat into the phone. "What in the fuck do you think you're doing? And who in the fuck do you think you're doing it with?"
"Mel?" Drew's voice asked in confusion.
At this point Jason had come out of the restaurant and taken a stance in front of Mel. He looked at her expectantly and she held up a finger signaling for him to hold on, barely noticing the flashing of camera bulbs that had apparently come out of nowhere the moment Jason stepped outside.
"Mel, what are you doing there?" Drew asked.
"I am in Tulsa. Jason is with ME. You've been texting with ME. How dare you? You should be ashamed of yourself. You are a married woman."
"Mel how 'bout we move this somewhere else?" Jason hissed at her.
Mel ignored him.
"I can't believe you're pretending to be him," Drew snapped.
"And I can't fucking believe that I've tried to contact you for months and you've just chosen to blow me off like I'm fucking nothing. And then you text JASON? It's always been about dick for you. And you can't ever go and fucking get your own. No. You had your little one-night fling with Tay when we were teenagers. And I KNOW you fucked John. I just know it, but I can't prove it. And now you want Jason? Let me tell you something, you fucking whore, this stops NOW! And if you ever valued our friendship at all you'll fucking lose this number as
soon as I hang up the phone. IF there's anything left to salvage. Oh, and by the way? I asked Nikki to be my matron of honor a few weeks ago because you can't return a goddamn phone call and she's a fucking amazing
woman. So fuck you."
Mel then ended the call and slapped Jason's phone back in his hand.
"Give me your keys," Jason said. "You're not driving." He snatched her keys from her and grabbed her hand, starting hastily with her down the street, amidst the following cameras
Mel didn't argue. She knew she was in no state to drive, as well. Within minutes, Jason helped Mel into the Jeep and drove her home.