Chapter 2

Last year

Alice, Shane and Bette were lounging by the pool. Bette was feeling sadder than ever and Shane and Alice knew why without her telling them.

“You had all the chance to tell her, Porter. Why didn’t you just tell her that you love her and has been in love with her since college?” Alice said.

“Because I am a fucking coward? Is that the right answer?” Bette said defeated.

“Don’t beat yourself up, Bette. Everything will turn out fine.” Shane said.

“It’s just that I have always tried but when I do I always get scared that she does not feel the same way about me. I dated, God know I did. I dated to try to forget her. I kept on telling myself that if I look hard enough my heart will follow where my mind wants it to go. It’s just that at the end of the day, I would rather keep all of this inside me than risk our friendship. I just can’t not have her in my life. That will be too much.” Bette said with tears in her eyes. “Do you know how hard it is to see her off with some guy knowing that they will never treat her the way I would? And when she comes back to me crying her heart out because it has been broken by a random bastard I just want to hold her and tell her how I feel about her. Hoping it would make all the pain go away.”

“Oh, Bette. We’ve been here before. I told you, how can you say that Tina does not feel the same way about you when you haven’t even asked her? We’ve seen the way she looks at you, she adores you.” Alice said.

“She does. She says I’m like the sister that she never had. That hurt like hell! You guys, she’ll be here in an hour. We’re doing her birthday bash yet again. I better get ready.” Bette said.

“Ok. We’ll be at my place. We’ll meet you tomorrow at dinner?” Shane said.

“Yep! We’ll call you if the plan changes.” With that Bette headed to her house.

“One of these days, I’ll knock Tina down. That might make things clearer for her” Alice said with a sigh. “Leave it, Al!” Shane said sternly. “I’m just saying!” was all Al could say.

They had chosen a quaint Italian place to have dinner. Tina and Bette were a bit late and Alice, Shane and Eric were already seated. Eric stood up and gave Tina a kiss. Everybody else exchanged hugs. During dessert, everybody gave their present to Tina. It was Eric’s turn and handed Tina a blue velvet box. Tina smiled and thanked Eric, not yet knowing what was inside. “You haven’t opened it, hun. Open it first.” Eric urged.

Bette was trying to maintain her breathing. She can’t believe what’s happening. All she knew was she’s losing Tina to Eric and she can’t do anything about it. Al and Shane were watching Bette closely. They can see the tears starting to form on her eyes and how she was trying to regulate her breathing.

Tina opened the box and saw a key on it. Eric then asked Tina “Tina, will you move in with me?” “Yes!” Tina said happily and she kissed Eric. Bette immediately rose from her seat and excused herself.

Bette made a beeline to the restroom and steadied herself by the sink. She released the breath that she didn’t realize she was holding. A part of her was relieved because Eric didn’t propose to Tina but she was still sad at the kind of proposition Eric had for Tina and that Tina said yes. “How did I let this get so out of hand? Why did I let this get so far?” Was all Bette could think of. It was then that the tears started to fall on her face. “Oh God! Give me strength. I don’t know what to do anymore.”

The following weeks were filled with Bette being the good friend. She helped Tina pack her things and move it to Eric’s. Every box that was being carried was heavier than the last.