Meant to Marry Me
Apologize

The temptation to drop everything and catch an early morning flight to St. Louis was present the second Trent opened his eyes the next morning, but he fought the urge. He had some things he needed to get done, and even though he wanted to hunt Zach down and punch him in the face, he remembered how upset Bree had been when Trent had interfered the last time.

So he went to work for a few hours, as he'd planned. He was going to get some work done and then leave around lunchtime to go to the airport, catch a quick flight to St. Louis, and be at the hotel well before Bree had to leave for her show. It was about ten o'clock when his phone rang. It was a number he didn't recognize, but he answered it anyway. "Trent? Hi, this is Zach Scott."

He was quiet for a second. He hadn't been expecting that at all. He wondered how Zach had even got his phone number. He didn't ask, though. Anger surged through him as he contemplated exactly what he should say to the man who'd dared to kiss his girlfriend the night before. "Yeah?" was all he could manage to get out without reaching through the phone and releasing his fury on the asshole's jaw.

"I wanted to reach out to you and apologize. Knowing Bree, I'm sure you know what happened last night, what I did, and I wanted to tell you I'm sorry. I didn't mean for it to happen. It was wrong and stupid of me. I don't blame you if you want beat the shit out of me."

Trent had to give him some credit. The vast majority of guys would've never considered reaching out to apologize for something like this. In fact, they would've either not been able to admit that they were wrong or would try to hide it. "Well, Zach, you're right on one count. I do want to teach you a lesson you won't forget."

"I can't blame you there at all," Zach said. "If it'll make you feel better, next time you see me, I'll let you take your best shot."

"I'd probably break my hand," Trent muttered. "I guess I just don't understand why you would even put Bree in a situation like that, man. You know how you feel about her, but you go to her hotel room in the middle of the night to talk to her? That was a dumb move."

"I agree. That wasn't my intention when I went there. I was going to ask her to come outside to talk to me, like in the lounge. But she was already wearing her pajamas--with a robe over them. So... I decided to just tell her really quickly. It didn't quite work out the way I had it planned in my mind. But you're right. I shouldn't have gone in. I've never done anything like that before. I usually have better control over myself. That's not an excuse. Just an explanation."

"So what's your plan now? Bree had mentioned you were thinking about leaving the band. I know she didn't want you to before. Maybe she does now. Maybe she doesn't."

"I think I'd better." He sounded upset about it, like he really didn't want to quit. "They're all out at the zoo right now, and I stayed at the hotel. I just don't want to make her uncomfortable."

Trent didn't know what to say about that. He definitely didn't want the hunky guitarist around his girlfriend, especially now that he'd proven he couldn't control himself, but he also wanted Bree to be happy, and if she honestly didn't think anyone else could take his place, maybe he should stay.

Rather than put in his two cents, he said, "Well, I hope whatever happens it doesn't interfere with Bree's success. She deserves to have the band she's always wanted."

"I agree," he said. "I don't think it'll be too hard for her to replace me, though. Not as hard as she thinks."

"That I don't know," Trent admitted.

"I guess it'll work its way out. One way or another. Anyway, I did want to apologize. I know that doesn't make it any better, but I felt like it was the right thing to do."

"I appreciate it," Trent said easily enough. "I still want to punch you in the face. I won't--not this time anyway. If anything like this ever happens again, it'll be a different story. But... I do appreciate you calling."

They said goodbye, and Trent hung up, not sure what to make of any of it. At least Zach had reached out to him first so he wouldn't have to worry about how to deal with it all the way to St. Louis, but clearly this wasn't over yet. As long as Bree was in an uncomfortable position, Trent would be, too. And as long as Zach was around Bree, that would be the situation for all of them.