Define Me (14 page)

“No, no I'm just kidding, we need to shower we are really going to be late.”  

About an hour later Vincent and I arrived at the farmers market.  It was an amazing to see how busy it was that early in the morning.  The sun was only just peaking its head out.  Vincent made quick work of selecting what he needed for the shop.  We made it back to Simplicity about thirty minutes later than normal. 

Rebecca was already standing outside waiting for Vincent to open up.  I was watching her from the safety of the car.  I was still not too happy with the feeling I got from her. 

Her face lit up when Vincent got out of the car, she started walking towards us but when she saw Vincent walking around to my side of the car, she stopped.  I got out helping him with the packets.  When I turned to face her I felt the hatred radiating from her and the look on her face confirmed it.  WTF is this all about, but my luck Vincent was oblivious to what was going on, as when he turned to face Rebecca she was sweet and innocent.  What the hell was this woman’s problem? After the night we had I was really not in the mood for that bitch. 

I greeted Rebecca first but only when Vincent greeted did she respond.  I looked at Vincent to see if he noticed what just happened
, but typical he didn’t. 

Vincent unlocked the shop and apologized to Rebecca for being late.  She was so sweet. 

“It doesn’t bother me.”

Shit whatever chick you and I will have this sorted out as soon as I can get you alone.

I walked with Vincent into the kitchen and started unpacking the parcels.  I placed all the items on the counter and Vincent started packed away.

Rebecca was in the front sorting out the tables when Vincent went into the cold room.  He was taking inventory of everything and it was going to take a while.  This was my opportunity to confront Rebecca about her attitude towards me.  I made sure Vincent was well on his way with his stocktake before I approached her. 

She was standing with her back towards the kitchen and didn’t see me coming.  I went to stand right behind her; I didn’t want to raise my voice, to upset Vincent. 

“What is your problem, Rebecca?”

“What do you mean?”

“Since the tournament you see
m to have a problem with me or should I say a problem with Vincent’s interests in me?”

“Oh I don’t have a problem, may be a slight irritation but not a problem, I know this will be short lived, like all the others in the past.”

“Excuse me!”

“Vincent and I have history, we are soul mates.  I am always here to pick up the pieces and he has always been my rock, my support.  You are just a little bump in my road to happy ever after.  So run along, us big people have work to do”

The wind was knocked out of me, what could I say to that. When I asked Vincent if there was something between them he told me I have nothing to worry about. 

“Whatever”

I turned around and walked out of Simplicity, I didn’t even think about getting my bags out of Vincent’s car, I just needed to get home. 

By the time I got to my house the tears were streaming down my face, I was devastated.  How could Vincent lie to me like that after I asked him directly?  I tried to open the door but it was still locked.  I knocked on the door, I hoped Heather was home.  While I’m waited for the door to be opened I heard my name being called.  I turned around to find Vincent running towards me.  I needed to get inside; I started banging on the door by the 4
th
knock I nearly knocked Heather in the face.  I had no time to apologise because Vincent was already making his way up the stairs.  I sprinted past Heather nearly knocking Cole off his feet.  I just made it in time to my bedroom door, slamming and locking the door in Vincent’s face. 

I slid down the door and was sitting with my back against it.  I pulled my legs to my chest and started crying.  There was a knock on the door I knew it was Vincent.  I really didn’t want to talk to him. 

“Go away, Vincent I don’t want to talk to you.”

“Cat open this door I want to talk to you, when I came out of the cool room you were gone, Rebecca said you just left.”

Trust th
at bitch to play innocent. 

“Go away Vincent I don’t want to talk to you, go ask your best friend and soul mate to talk.  I am done, you lied to me!”

“Caitlin,  open this door I don’t know what you are talking about!”

“Run back to Rebecca she is always there for you.”

“Cat, open this door now.”

I started screaming at him to leave me alone I was becoming hysterical; I needed him to leave immediately.  After a few minutes it went quiet, I think I heard Heathers voice outside my room.  I got up from where I was sitting and walked towards my window.  Looking out I saw Vincent and Cole walk towards Simplicity and there in front of the shop the bitch was waiting.  Hell I despised her. 

I climbed into my bed and pulled the covers over my head.  I cried and cried, I heard Heather asking me to open up the door so she could talk to me but I just wanted to be alone. 

I fell for Vincent so quickly, so completely, then for that woman to tell me it wouldn’t last, they were soul mates.  I eventually fell asleep. 

I woke late afternoon, shit I missed class today, and my parents were going to kill me. All the crying made me hungry.  I put my ear to the door to listen if anyone was outside.  It was dead quiet, safe for me to go out.  I unlocked the door and peaked out the door, no one in sight, when I stepped out I nearly fell over the biggest bunch of white roses I had ever seen.  It could only be from Vincent.  I was still very angry with him and didn’t feel too happy about everything but this was white roses and was sort of my favourite flowers.  I picked them it up and made my way down stairs. 

The house was dead quiet, no one in sight.  I grabbed my IPod and put my earphones in my ears.  (When I am in a mood I need my music blasting the pain out of my head.)

I started baking, (I love baking) I thought a nice chocolate cake would do the trick.  Mmh chocolate could fix almost anything.  I was just about to put the cake in the oven when I turned around and found Heather sitting at the kitchen table watching me.  I hadn’t heard her come in.  I pulled my earphones out and just looked at her; I waited for her to start interrogating me.  But she said noting, she just stared at me. 

“What?”

“I don’t know, you tell me what?  You storm into the house this morning early knocking me over, then your boyfriend almost breaks the door down to get to you.”

“Don’t call him my boyfriend, he is not my boyfriend he is her boyfriend, I was just a hiccup in the road.”

“Who are you talking about, Caitlin?”

“Heather I was such a fool.  Right from the beginning I felt something was wrong, I knew there was something between them.”

“Who the hell are you talking about Caitlin, I don’t understand”

“REBECCA!”

“Who is Rebecca?”

“Come on Heather, you must know who she is by now?  She is Cole and Vincent’s shop manager”

“Oh her, why would you say Vincent is her boyfriend?”

“Rebecca and I had words this morning, she told me that I was noting and Vincent and she had a history they were soul mates.”

“WHAT!”

“When Vincent and I started, I asked him about Rebecca and he told me there was nothing between them.  Why would he lie to me Heather?”

“Yeah why would he lie to you?  Are you sure it’s not her lying to you?” 

“I don’t know, I was just so upset, the things she said to me, the look on her face just knocked the wind out of me, I didn’t know how to deal with it”

“Why don’t you talk to him
?  He has been here most of the day; he was really upset about what happened this morning. He was just as confused about that happened and I am damn sure he does not know what Rebecca said to you.  Can I please call him to come and see you?”

“Nope, I am not ready to speak to him.  My eyes are puffy and I just need some chocolate first.”

“Ok, so how long is this cake going to take?  It smells so nice” 

“It will take about forty five minutes.” 

“Great, why don’t you go upstairs and take a shower and I will watch the cake.” 

“Ok I will see you in a moment.” 

I went upstairs and got into the shower.  I turned the shower a little too hot, hoping it would burn the pain out of my heart.  For the second time today the pain and sadness threatened to take over again. I had come so far the past few months and was now right back where I started.   I really needed to stop crying, no man was worth the pain.  I needed to stand up for myself, protect myself.  It took me about an hour to get showered and dressed; I hoped Heather remembered to take the cake out of the oven.  I dressed into my PJ’s and made my way down to the kitchen. 

I walked into the kitchen to find Heather missing but Vincent sitting at the kitchen table. Nice one my friend, I will get you for this. 

“What are you doing here Vincent; I don’t want to talk to you now.”

“Caitlin we need to talk.  I don’t understand what happened this morning, one minute you were talking to Rebecca in the shop but when I came back you were gone.  Rebecca said you just left.”

“Trust her to play innocent, the bitch.”

“I don’t understand what happened between you and Rebecca.”

“Remember the day of the Finals, I asked you if there was anything between you and Rebecca?  You told me NO, well I ask you again;
is there something between you and Rebecca
?”

“No there is nothing between Rebecca and I, I told you the truth.”

“Well somehow you and the bitch have your lines crossed.  According to her you are soul mates.”

“WHAT!!!”

“She took great pleasure in telling me that I am just a distraction and that you will always go back to her.  So tell me where she got that idea, if there is nothing between the two of you.”

“Oh my god, I did not realize she felt that way.  We have been friends since we were in college.  She was engaged to my best friend back then. Cole, Patrick and I grew up together and we did everything together.  Patrick and Rebecca were crazy in love; they planned to get married the week after finals.  Rebecca was pregnant, the night after our finals the boys when out and Rebecca stayed home.  Things got out of hand, I was supposed to be the driver, but my girlfriend had broken up with me and I lost it.  Eventually Patrick managed to get me out of the club, Cole left early, so it was just Patrick and me.  Neither of us should have been behind the wheel, I was the driver for the night so I insisted on taking us home.  The music was loud and we were joking, not concentrating on the road.  We had and accident, a pickup truck skipped a traffic light and hit us.  The impact was so hard, Patrick’s injuries were just too severe, and he did not make it.  I felt responsible for the accident.  The police cleared me but I should never have been behind the wheel.  Rebecca was in the early stages of her pregnancy and the shock was just too much, she lost the baby.  She lost everything because of me.  I vowed to help and look after her”

Vincent sat with his head in his hands, not even looking at me, he looked so sad.  I felt like shit.  I was not even sure what to say to that.  I walked around the table and put my hand on his shoulder. 

“Vincent, I am so sorry.  You know it was not your fault.” 

“It was I should have called a cab.”

“Yes you are right, but you did not cause the accident.”

“I felt so bad, she lost everything.  Cole and I decided to take care of Rebecca.  Thinking back, I understand that she might have mistaken my actions.  She was always there for me, but I am telling the truth when I say that there was never anything between us, we never had a relationship and we damn well never had sex. I would never do that to Patrick’s memory, he loved her too much and that would be breaking the
Bro code
.  I promise you Caitlin there is nothing between us.”