Chapter Two: The Problem with Abraham

Cursed Love: You find Love in the most unexpected of places

The song trickled out of the speakers of the club, while the customers slightly intoxicated sang along to the lyrics, some of them pointedly singing to their counterparts. The man, broad-shouldered, and with his curls brushed back away from his face sat at the bar, alone away from the hubbub. He drank a vivid pink drink as if he dared anyone to come and comment on the color. The girl in a very smart pantsuit, with soft booted heels, walked up to him with no fear. She knew this man, or at least she had known him a long time ago.

“That is a very pink drink.” She said her voice with a slight hint of amusement. The man looked over at her, giving her a once-over before a smile etched across his face. It made him look years younger, this man who was three years younger than her, but who always looked much older than he actually was.

“Now you are the last person I expected to see here.” He said. She smirked at him before glancing at the barkeep who walked over when he saw her. “Natalie. It’s been a while,” he said with a smirk of his own.

“Deadlines. You know how it is.” She said smiling back at him.

“Can I get your usual?” He asked.

“Please,” Natalie said with a smile. Natalie leaned against the bar, turning her body towards the man who was making every effort not to stare at her hips, even though he really wanted to.

“So how have you been, Bram. It’s been a while,” she said simply. Bram smiled. He knew what she was asking, without actually asking. “Cate’s fine. Or she will be, one day.” Bram said.

“What about your brother?” Bram asked as he took another sip. Natalie played with a stray curl that had slipped out of her bun.

“I don’t know.” She said nodding as the bartender handed her a drink and moved on. She played with the condensation at the top of her glass, lost in thought. “He just left early this afternoon. He’s been so quiet keeping to himself. I want to help him but I don’t know how.” Natalie said. “This might not be something you can help him with,” Bram said.

“I feel so helpless. It should have been me. Nadir was the one who had the girlfriend. The one who had been happy.” Natalie said. Bram smiled. “Yes but he’s always been the one to follow his family’s rules. He chose to study business and get a master’s degree. He rose up in the family business by proving himself. He’s in line to take over the business when your father eventually steps down.” Bram pointed out.

Natalie took a sip of her drink and looked at Bram with a cross look. “What does that make me?” she asked. Bram grinned wildly. “The wild child.” He said. Natalie laughed joyfully, whacking Bram in the arm. “Bram you’re the worst!” she said. Bram grinned. “I’ve missed you. Work isn’t the same without you.” He said. “After the event,” Natalie said with an edge in her voice.

“I couldn’t really go back there.” She said. “Anyways I’ve always preferred the fictional side of writing. A publishing house is the best place for my wayward soul.” Natalie said. Bram snorted. “I can’t really see you working nine to five in an office.” He said. “It’s a really nice office,” Natalie said with a smirk. Bram smiled. “Don’t be so hard on your brother. He made a choice. Instead of fighting against him, be with him in his choice. He needs to know you have his back. The way he’s always had yours.” He said.

Natalie smiled. “How do I even begin to do that?” she asked. “Be the baby sister that’s always loved him. Do little things to show him you care. I knew Cate was hurting so I started leaving her little gifts in her apartment when she wasn’t home. Sometimes it’s the little things that show people you love, how to begin again after a heartbreak.” Bram said. “And how did you learn that?” She asked. “Because she did that for me when you left.”

Hiking Trail

Cate watched the flames of the bonfire spark. The stick in her hand was long forgotten. The other girls, Sophia and Ruby were teasing Jake and Cass. They were all laughing and enjoying themselves but all Cate could think about was Nadir’s face when he realized that she knew Dylan. She wondered at the hate but was more curious about what would’ve happened if Jake had been there too. They were brothers after all.

“Hey, do you want another marshmallow?” Dylan asked. “How do you know Nadir?” she asked taking the marshmallow Dylan offered to her. “Our companies are rivals. We’ve met in boardrooms and conferences. We’ve never exactly been each other’s greatest fan.” Dylan said.

Cate snorted. “After the way, I saw you glaring at each other, I that might be an understatement.” She said spearing a marshmallow on the stick.

“I’m sorry did you say Nadir?” Jake said stealing a marshmallow from Dylan’s hand. “Yeah we bumped into him on the trail,” Dylan replied. “When the two of you disappeared?” Jake asked. “I told you I fell,” Cate said irritably. “So you know him too?” she asked. “At parties and the like, when I’m forced to go,” Jake said pointedly looking at his older brother.

“I thought you liked going out?” Cate said with a frown. “Remind me to invite you the next time there's a party I have to go to,” Jake said dryly. “Pass the chocolate.” He said. Cate smiled and passed the basket that held graham crackers and chocolate. “Nadir and Jake’s been at each other’s throats since they met,” Dylan said with the beginnings of a smile.

“Be glad Jake wasn’t the one on the trail with you and Nadir,” Dylan said making Jake grumble into his s’more. Jake sat up straighter looking at Cate morosely. “I’m sorry you bumped into Nadir,” Jake said with a sigh. “The whole point of us all being here was to get your mind off your ex,” Jake said. Cate smiled slightly. “And here, I actually believed your big speech of one last hurrah before winter hits,” Cate said with a shrewd smile.

Jake smiled in response. “And there’s the snark that we’ve been missing the last couple of weeks,” Jake said. “Don’t make me push you off the log.” She said with a smile, as she fiddled with her half-burnt marshmallow. She pulled it off the stick and popped it into her mouth smiling at Jake. “Since when are you so nice to me? I always thought you hated me.” Cate asked.

Jake smiled. “I never have. Not really.” Jake said. “Sometimes he lets his ego lead him in all the wrong places,” Dylan said as he got up and joined Sophia and Ruby. Cass cheering at his return to their corner of the fire. Cate laughed. “Has Cass ever been anything but joyful when Dylan shows up?” she asked smiling at the group's antics.

Cate grinned. “I’ve never thought I’d make friends like this,” Cate said softly. “I’ve always been alone. I’ve always had Bram. But having this circle of friends has meant the world to me.” Cate confided. Jake smiled. Cate glanced at him. “I know we’re not your usual group of friends. But I’m glad you’re here. You make our group complete.” Cate said and then abruptly got up, grabbing Dylan’s discarded bag of marshmallows and grabbed two and pelted Sophia and Cass. Both of whom immediately stood up in surprise looking at Cate while Ruby and Dylan burst out in raucous laughter.

“Oh no, you didn’t!” Sophia said. “Why don’t you come get me, Teach!” Cate said throwing more marshmallows at Sophia before she jumped over the log Sophia and Cass running after her. “Really?” Dylan said as he watched his friends run after each other. “Yup,” Ruby said before she gave chase as well making Cate squeal when she saw her coming.

Dylan and Jake pulled out their phones and snapped photos smiling at their college friends. Jake took a lovely photo of Ruby and Cate smiling and hugging each other making him smile. He glanced up looking at Cate’s smile and wondering how on earth his nemesis could’ve had the strength to let her go. This might’ve been the first time in eight years he actually felt sorry for the perfectly perfect Nadir. He would’ve never admitted to anyone that the real reason he and Nadir had always fought was that they had both fallen for the same girl. The girl that Nadir had just let go.