Joel walked through the grave yard with Sky. "It's been a month Joel. All you do is sit and write, or walk here with one of us." She said, stopping by her sisters grave.
"I know Sky." He sighed. Kneeling next to the grave, he looked up at Sky. "I just still feel so guilty."
She hugged him from behing and kissed his cheek. "Tate wouldn't blame you. I don't. I mean I did when I heard you screwed Chelsea. But you were drunk. Right?"
"Actually... I wasn't drunk. I wasn't completely sober. I had had a couple drinks. Chelsea was completely sober though, she refused to drink that night."
Sky let go and stepped back from Joel. "You knew exactly what you were doing. Didn't you?"
"Mostly. Believe me Sky, I'm sorry. I would never have hurt Tatum for anything. I loved her more than life."
"Then why'd you do Chelsea. I mean I know she wanted you, but..."
"I don't know why and if I could I'd go back and stop myself." Joel stood and looked at her. "Sky, please forgive me."
"I can't hate you for your honesty, especially since you're practically my brother. I can however hate you for lying for so long and lying to my sister." She paused then hugged him. "But I can't because I understand."
"Thank you Sky."
"But don't think I'll forgive you everytime." She tried to laugh through the tears that were forming.
Joel looked at her with his sad brown eyes. "I really am sorry. I know that doesn't make up for what I did, but thank you for understanding."
"yea, you bastard. You know I love ya."
Joel nodded. "So you've said."
"Have you talked to Chelsea?"
"Not in three weeks."
Sky sighed. "No one's seen her since then. That I know of."
Joel looked at the ground. "I hope she doesn't do something stupid. Or hasn't done something already."
~
Chelsea sat with Cat in her appartment.
"Chels, you can't sit here and ignore the world. All Joel does is mope around and wonder what he said to upset you."
"It was everything he said. he doesn't regret sleeping with me, but he does because of Tate." Chelsea paced her small living room trying to think clearly.
"You know how he feels. Now the question is: How do you feel?"
"I feel bad. Very bad!"
"Do you regret fucking him?"
She stopped pacing and looked at her friend. She shook her head. "I don't know." She was on the verge of crying. "Cat, I have a confession." Chelsea paused and sat on the floor infront of her. "We weren't drunk. I was completely sober. Joel had had a few, but for the most part was sober-ish.
Cat sat there looking at Chelsea. "You just now tell me this? You know, maybe if the two of you had been truthful and faithful, you wouldn't feel like this." Cat was angry and a little bit saddened by Chelsea and Joel for not telling the entire story.
"Cat, I'm sorry. I just... You know how much I wanted him. Then he fell in love with Tatum and..."
"Now you've had him! There's another notch on the bed post!"
"I thought you would understand. But I guess I was wrong." Chelsea got off the floor. "I'm sorry Cat."
Cat sighed and stood. "You're always sorry, Chels. I might forgive the two of you for lying to us all for so long, but it won't be today."
"But Catherine."
"I can't Chelsea. Not right now. I have to go. I'll probably call later, after I clear my head."
"Fine." She nodded. Cat sighed and left.
Chelsea stood at the window and watched Cat drive away. She was confused and didn't know what to do. She had to talk to Joel, but didn't know about what, she just knew she had to.
~
Cat came into the house crying. She saw Benji sitting on the couch in the living room. "Benji..."
Benji jumped up from the couch. "What's wrong?" He asked, enveloping her in a hug.
"I just talked to Chelsea."
Benji sat on the couch and pulled Cat into his lap. "Calm down and tell me."
She leaned her head on his shoulder and took a deep breath to calm herself. "She told me that she wasn't drunk that night. She also said Joel was almost sober."
"Baby, it's OK. I know they should have told us sooner, but it's just they way they are." Benji used a soothing and calming voice as he stroked her back. "I love you, Cat."
She smiled and kissed his neck. "I love you too."
The doorbell rang and Paul came running to answer it. Chelsea was on the other side.