The four men walked into Chris’s house quietly, hoping to see the women before they were spotted to get a feel of their moods.
Kasey walked out and smiled. “Perfect timing.” She turned and walked into the dining room.
Dade followed the others quietly. Sitting in his usual chair he watched Cora come in. She didn’t look at him once, but did come around the table and sit down next to him Cora set a bottle of aspirin and a glass full of a dark liquid in front of him. “Leena made this drink for your stomach.”
“Thank you.” He didn’t care about the drink, but he had never been happier to see the little bottle beside it. Leena walked in carrying a steaming bowl. He smiled at her and could only think to say. “Thank you.”
Leena smiled sweetly at him. “I don’t have it in me to leave someone suffering.”
“I do.” Owen said with a grin.
Dade looked at him for a moment. “Wasn’t long ago I was picking you up off the floor if I remember correctly.”
Owen’s eyes widened and he put his head down, concentrating on putting food on his plate. He looked up and saw Leena’s curious gaze. “I drank one bottle, not even all of it, he drank a liquor store.” She shook her head and turned to accept the next dish. Owen glared at Dade for a moment, then smiled when Leena turned back to him.
Dade took the vegetables Cora passed him. “So, now that the drumming troupe is finally out of my head, could we go over a few of those things mentioned earlier?” He looked at Owen thinking that would be safest. “You sold your house to Cora?”
Cora nodded. “Yes, and Rachel ran into Kevin at the hospital and he’s been accepted for a full-time paramedic position.” She poured some water into her glass. “So, she mentioned my apartment and he came and looked at it, and is taking over my lease for me.”
He swallowed waiting for the burn, it wasn’t gone but it didn’t make his eyes water now. “When do you move?” He liked that she would only be a few blocks away.
Cora shrugged. “I’m hoping before the handfast, but I don’t know if I’ll be able to.”
Speaking softly, still not sure if the water was going to stay down, he took a shallow breath. “I can help.”
She smiled at him. “Thank you.”
Steven leaned forward. “Did you catch the part about agreeing to be the witness for all three handfasts, along with Cora?’
Dade swallowed and nodded. “Yes, I have no idea what that means, but I’d be honored to do it.”
Rachel smiled at him. “Funny that’s what Steven said you said the first time.”
Chris grinned. “Well at least he’s consistent.”
Dade sat back not able to eat much more food. Looking around the table he saw the three couples. “So how are the plans going? Is there anything I can do to help?”
Rachel looked at him. “You want to help?”
He nodded.
Kasey grinned then elbowed Chris. “See, at least one of you men are willing to help us, and he’s not even getting married.”
Steven smirked and put his head down, knowing that helping was the last thing Dade wanted, but if it bought him a ticket to redemption, he’d do anything it took.
Leena smiled at him. “We would really appreciate the help, Dade, thank you. All I get from Owen is ‘whatever you want’.” She mimicked and then grinned at Owen. “Which is no help at all.”
Dade shrugged. “I’d love to help, I know absolutely nothing, but you can fill me in as needed.” Cora smiled at him and he felt it all the way to his toes. “So where is this taking place?”
Kasey sighed. “We’re supposed to be looking at yet another location Gwen found for us, the last one was kind of, well not right. We’re going tomorrow.” She grinned. “You could take us, then we could all go together.”
Ugh, he thought. “Be happy to, just give me a time and I’ll come get you.”
Rachel nodded. “Two vehicles would work because Steven is coming as well.”
“I am?” He looked at her.
She smiled sweetly. “You are.”
Steven looked at Dade. “I am.”
Dade smirked, then cleared his throat. “All eight of us could go, we’re all involved in some way.”
Chris shot him a look. Then turned to smile at Kasey watching him. “Great idea.”
Cora smirked behind her hand knowing exactly what Dade was doing. The funniest part, it was working. “Lovely, what time are we leaving?”
Leena sighed. “I think around eight. We could stop for breakfast along the way. If this place is as nice as Gwen says, it’s going to be a long day filled with planning.”
Owen stared down at his plate.
“Eight in the morning?” Steven asked looking at Rachel. “It’s my day off.”
She squinted at him. “And the problem would be?”
He looked around the table. “Nothing, Dade is driving, so I’m good.”
Dade reached for his water. “How far is this place?”
Leena shrugged. “About an hour or so.” She sat back and smiled at Dade. “You’re sure you don’t mind? Do you have work to catch up on?”
He shook his head. “No, before my brain stopped working, I took some holiday time.”
“Well at least that’s one good thing.” Kasey said studying him for a moment longer before turning to Cora. “I’ll go get that dessert you made. I can’t wait to try it.”
Cora grinned. “I’ll go so we don’t see your fingerprints in any of it.”
“It slipped.” Kasey said with a smirk.
Dade watched her get up. How was he supposed to talk to her? He couldn’t exactly strike up a conversation with her about everything in front of everyone.
She turned at the door and smiled at him. “Dade, could you give me a hand?”
He nodded and got up quickly.
Cora was getting a dish out of the fridge when he got there.
“Looks good,” he said quietly. Not even really having looked at it.
She smiled. “Thank you, hopefully it tastes as good as it looks.”
“Always does.”
She took some dishes down and set them on the counter, only glancing at him briefly before turning to open a drawer for a serving spoon.
“Coralee,” he said softly. She stopped and looked at him. “I know why you went upstairs at the house tonight.”
She crossed her arms over her chest and leaned against the counter. “Do you?”
He nodded.
“You remember?” She asked in a whisper.
He sighed. “Not everything, but enough, I thought…at the time, I …”
“Thought I was a dream.” She finished quietly looking down at her hands.
He walked over and gently lifted her chin. “Did I hurt you? I’ve tried to remember, but a lot of it is so sketchy...” His voice rasped with the fear of her answer.
She looked at his eyes. “With good reason.” She glanced towards the door for a second. “No, you didn’t hurt me. It may not have been what I’d thought it would be, but I was aware of what was happening.”
He closed his eyes and let out a breath he’d been holding. “I was so afraid…”
“Don’t. I think forgetting it happened might work best for now.”
He opened his eyes and looked at her searching her face. She regretted it. Well, of course she did, it’s not like he’d been at his best. “I may not remember everything, but I don’t think I can forget it completely, honey…”
Cora turned and handed him the dish. “Try,” she said softly then picked up the dishes and walked out of the room.
Dade looked up and saw Steven giving him an odd look. “I hate to bring this to an end, but I really would like to go home and sleep before our trip tomorrow.” Leena smiled at him. “I was practically carried here, so I need someone to take me home.”
Steven glanced at his watch. “I’m about ready to drop, if Rachel’s driving doesn’t scare you too much, we’ll give you a lift.”
Rachel smacked him then grinned at Dade. “My driving is fine.”
Dade shrugged. “I’ll probably be asleep before you put the car in drive right now.”
Chris grinned and stood up. “Tomorrow after we get back, we need to discuss some other matters.” He held up his hand. “It’s not a bad something. I just think it would be best to give Dade another day to feel more like himself before we go over it.”
Kasey pursed her lips and looked at him. “You’ve heard from Patrick?”
He smirked at her then nodded. “Yes. It’s just some legal stuff I’d like to go over with everyone.”
Dade groaned. “No, I can’t do legal stuff tonight.”
Owen grinned. “Me neither.”
Steven stood up and pulled Rachel to her feet. “Motioned passed.” He shot Chris a grin.
Chris laughed. “No better way to clear all of you out of my house than to mention that word.”
Leena stood up and smiled. “If you want us out to be alone with Kase just say so, Chris.”
“I want you out.” He said with a grin.
Kasey smacked him. “For the one among us with the best social skills, Christopher, your manners are seriously lacking.”
Chris hugged her to him. “I blame you, sweetheart, I can’t think when I’m near you.”
She smiled up at him and kissed him. “Suck up,” she whispered against his mouth.
“Did it work?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
Steven grabbed Rachel and started carrying her to the door.
“Steven, are you crazy?” Rachel laughed.
“Only about you, angel. If I have to get up early on my day off, we need to get home. Now.” He winked at Dade as he went by.
Dade shook his head and stuffed his hands in his pockets. He looked down at the floor when he realized the buttons and underwear were still in his pocket.
Closing his hand around the buttons he watched everyone walk out, then followed behind Cora. He reached and touched her arm gently so she’d stop. She turned and gave him a curious look. He picked up her hand and opened his palm over hers.
She opened her hand and looked down at the buttons silently.
He put his hand back in his pocket and stood there just looking into her bright eyes watching him. He reached out and rubbed his thumb across her cheek gently then walked towards the door.
“Dade.” She said quietly.
He stopped and turned to look at her. She glanced down at the floor, then back at him. Walking slowly over to her he stopped a foot from her.
“You said…said you tried to drink me away.” She looked back down at the floor again. “Was it my fault?” She whispered not wanting the others to hear.
“No, it wasn’t.”
Cora looked up and searched his eyes. “Will you be all right now?”
He smiled, trying to reassure her. “Yeah.”
She nodded. “Good.” Reaching up she ran her hand over his jaw. “This is much better than that scruffy beard.” She smiled and went to get her purse.
Dade stood there with his back to the others and closed his eyes. She didn’t hate him. She just didn’t want him. He let a long breath and turned to walk back to the others.
“You good?” Chris asked as he walked by.
Dade smirked. “I will be after more sleep.”
Chris nodded. “Call if you need an ear.”
“I will.”
Kasey threw herself at him and hugged him. “Don’t be stupid again,” she said in his ear.
He hugged her then grinned down at her. “I’ll try.”
Leena walked over and hugged him. “We’ll see you in the morning.”
He hugged her quickly and nodded.
Steven stood there smirking. “How come he gets all the hugs? A few hours ago he was an asshole, a jerk…” Leena laughed and turned around and hugged him.
Rachel shook her head. “He’s so greedy.”
Owen smacked Dade on the shoulder. “Call me if you feel the need to fall into a bottle.”
Dade stuffed his hands in his pockets. “Oh, the thought of anything but water right now makes me quiver in fear.”
Owen grinned. “Good to know.” He turned to the door then paused. “So, the work you did at the house, it’s done, right?”
Dade laughed. “I was sober when I did it, it’s good.”
“Oh, good. Just didn’t want Cora to have a fountain in her basement or anything.”
Cora grinned. “That might be interesting.” She paused then looked at Dade. “I have a double stove being delivered, can you do the wiring?”
He nodded. “Yeah, as long as the existing wire is there, I can work with that. Just let me know when.”
“I will. Thank you.” She looked around. “I’ll see everyone in the morning.”
Steven saw Dade watch her leave, then motioned to the door. “Let’s go.”
He glanced at Dade a few times as Rachel drove too fast, of course, to his house. When she pulled in he leaned over and kissed her. “I’ll grab my car and be right behind you.”
Rachel grinned. “You better be doctor, I think we need to try that procreation task tonight.”
Steven smiled. “Right behind you.”
She backed out and turned down the street.
He turned to Dade. “So, you talked to Cora? She’s all right?”
Dade nodded slowly. “Yeah, she thinks we should just forget it ever happened.”
“Ouch.”
Dade sighed. “Yeah.”
He opened his car door. “So now…”
Dade smirked. “Don’t worry, I don’t feel like a drink.”
“Good to hear.” He sat in the car. “What’s next?”
“I don’t know. I can’t even remember it all, but it’s not like I can forget either.”
He closed the door and put the window down. “Guess you have some work ahead of you to get back into her good graces, huh?”
Dade stepped backwards towards the door. “It’s going to be a long climb up that hill.”
Steven winked. “I have faith in you. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going home to try to make a baby.” He smirked. “Work, work, work.”
Waving, Dade watched him pull away. Walking back into the house he sniffed. Well, it was better.
He walked over to the phone and saw the notes beside it. Reading them he shook his head. Picking up the phone he stopped and looked at it. And what are you going to say when you call her?
No idea.
He hung it up again.
Sighing, he flicked off the light and went up the stairs. He had to do some planning, but first he needed to rest.