What If

                                                                          Chapter 34

Raegan had spent another miserable week missing Oded. She had gotten the short, evasive message from Trish telling her that due to filming complications, Oded would be another week. Raegan had been sick at heart that Oded hadn’t called her himself to tell her. She could only imagine that he had decided he didn’t want to see her anymore if he was having Trish call her. Nancy kept riding her though, telling her not to take everything as it appeared.

“The problem is that you two parted on bad terms. So naturally you are going to think the worse of everything, Rae. Just wait till he gets home and tells you to your face that it is over before you go assuming that it is!”

Of course Nancy was right, so on Saturday morning, Raegan decided she would get up and drive out to Oded’s so they could talk. She had tried to call him, but the line was busy, so she knew he was home. All the long drive to Santa Monica, she told herself she was doing the right thing. They needed to talk; she needed to tell him the truth of her fears so that they could work it out together. By the time she pulled up to the security gate and the guard, who recognized her, waved her through, she was nervous, but felt better. Parking out front, she walked up to the front door and knocked. She had a key, but due to the unusual circumstances, she didn’t think it was appropriate to use it now.

The front door opened and Raegan blinked in shock at seeing Trish standing there. “Raegan!” Trish said just as surprised.

Raegan swallowed. “Trish. Is Oded here?”

“Uh, yeah. Is he expecting you?” Trish asked, cocking her head to one side. Raegan noticed that she held the door partly closed, indicating that Raegan was not invited in.

“You’re not his secretary, Trish. Could you just tell him I’m here?”

Trish frowned. “Well there is no reason to get nasty with me. He’s in the shower if you must know. Why are you here anyway? He told me when I was up in Canada with him that you two had split up!”

“You were in Canada with him?” Raegan asked, uncertain. He’d said they had split up?

“Oh yeah! Believe me, honey, he’s all over you now!” Trish grinned mischievously. “He finally realized that he wanted someone who would always be there for him.”

“You’re lying!” Raegan accused weakly. “I don’t believe you!”

“We made love too. Don’t believe me? Just ask him.”

Raegan drew in a breath sharply, her hand going to her mouth. She felt like someone had just kicked her in the gut. “Trish? Who is at the door?” Raegan heard the familiar voice and wanted to turn and run, but she couldn’t make her feet work.

“It’s Raegan.” Trish smiled, opened the door wider, and turned away as Oded appeared in the entryway.

“Rae?” Oded looked pleasantly surprised. “What are you doing here, sweetness? I was going to call you this afternoon.” He began to frown when he saw the look on Raegan’s face. “Rae? Come in. What’s wrong?” He reached out to take her arm, but she jerked away from him.

“Is it true?” she asked softly. Her heart pounded loudly in her ears, and she felt sick to her stomach.

“Is what true?” Oded asked, a sense of foreboding looming over him.

“Did you sleep with her?” Raegan could hardly get the words out without feeling like she was going to retch.

Oded’s knees nearly gave out from under him. His hand came up and hit the wall to steady himself as he realized that Trish had told her. “Raegan,” he began.

The look of pain that crossed his face told her all she needed to know. “Oh my god!” Her hand came back up to cover her mouth again, and her other arm crossed over her stomach as she nearly doubled over. She felt sick.

“Raegan,” Oded said softly. Then he suddenly spun in anger. “Get out!” he growled at Trish. “NOW!” Trish grabbed her purse and hurried out the door, hiding a smile.

“How could you do this to me?” Raegan cried out when Oded tried to draw her inside.

“Raegan, please,” Oded pleaded. “Come inside so we can talk.” He felt as if his heart was being ripped from his chest.

“Talk about what?” Raegan asked as Oded shut the door behind her. “You want to give me all the disgusting details?”

Oded winced. He still wasn’t convinced that anything had happened between him and Trish. He still believed that she had set him up, but how was he to convince Raegan of that when he didn’t even remember anything about that night? “Rae, I just want to explain what happened. Sweetness, I’m not even convinced that anything did happened. I was depressed, thinking of you, and getting drunk when Trish showed up unexpectedly at my hotel room.” Oded turned and rubbed his face roughly with his hands. “God damn it, Rae, I don’t remember a thing. We were talking, I was telling her about the fight we’d had before I left and then . . .” Oded paused and turned back to look helplessly at Raegan. “And then I woke up in bed with Trish lying naked next to me. I swear to God, I don’t remember!”

Before Raegan could stop herself, her hand landed with a loud **SMACK** across Oded’s cheek. His head snapped to one side. She jerked her hand back in shock that she’d done it, but glad she did. “How dare you insult me with that ‘I don’t remember’ crap! I expected more from you, Ded. Even if you did sleep with her, I expected your honesty!” Tears streamed down her face as she turned, opened the front door, and walked out.

“Raegan!” Oded called out, his hand rubbing the place where she had slapped him. “It is the truth. I’ve never lied to you!”

Raegan spun around. “Go to hell!” she yelled, then continued on to her car.

Oded watched her go, his gut twisting, his heart ripping in two. He wanted to go after her, to make her understand that he would have never willingly slept with Trish, that even now, he didn’t believe he did it but couldn’t prove it. He needed time to figure out how to weasel it out of Trish, and he knew that he would have to give Raegan some time too. She would not be willing to listen to a thing he had to say, and frankly he didn’t blame her. How could he have been such an idiot to get drunk? Not only that, but he couldn’t believe he had let his guard down with Trish. He should have known better. If he hadn’t been already drinking, he would have known that people like her never change. They don’t suddenly become sorry for the things they have done and start acting nice. Well, now he was paying the price of his stupidity. He could only hope and pray that the ultimate price would not be losing Raegan.

Oded shut the door and went into his living room, sitting down on the couch. He’d gotten home pretty late last night and had considered calling Raegan then. But considering the strain between them he decided he’d wait until morning. Then Trish showed up this morning to “talk” about what had happened between them, and they had nearly come to blows. Oded did not believe in hitting women, no matter what, but he came damn close to hitting Trish. She infuriated him like no one could. He wasn’t going to be able to work with her much longer. He couldn’t have a publicist that he had to have his guard up around all the time and wonder if there was some kind of motive behind every little thing they did or said. Maybe he would call Stan Martin on Monday and see what could be done. Maybe if he took steps to have Trish removed as his publicist, Raegan would see that as a positive sign and give him another chance. Oded sighed as he rubbed his face roughly with his hands. He felt numb inside, as if the reality of what was happening just wasn’t sinking in yet. Well, he didn’t want it to sink in yet; this wasn’t over by a long shot. He’d be damned if he would give up so easily without a fight!

It was at times like these that Oded wished he had a good friend to talk to. He had made some friends since coming to L.A., but none that knew Raegan, nor none that he felt he could confide in. Most were just buddies to hang out with, go see a basketball game with, not spill you’re guts to. Oded rubbed at his temples as he suddenly thought of Rick, Nancy’s boyfriend. He and Raegan had begun double dating with Nancy and Rick over the last month before he had to go to Canada. Oded remembered meeting Rick at Raegan’s birthday party and had liked him immediately. He was friendly and confident, and they got along well. He was absolutely nuts about Nancy and seemed very sure of his relationship with her, because it didn’t seem to bother him that Nancy lusted after Oded. He gave Rick a lot of credit. He didn’t think he would be so accommodating if he knew Raegan lusted after another man. But still, Oded felt that Rick was someone he could trust. Maybe he could give Rick a call and see if they could get together. Maybe Rick could give him some advise on how to handle this whole situation with Raegan. Oded hauled himself up from the couch and went in search of Rick’s phone number that Nancy had given him one evening just in case her or Rick were needed. At the time Oded had thought it strange, but now he wondered if maybe Nancy had had some kind of premonition or something.

Locating the phone number in his office, he dialed it. “Hello?” Rick answered on the third ring.

“Rick, this is Oded.”

“Hey dude, you back from Canada?”

“Yeah, got back late last night,” Oded answered.

“Good thing. Raegan has been driving us nuts since you left. I was about ready to tie her up and gag her if I heard one more lament about how afraid she was that she’d blown it by not going with you,” Rick said good-naturedly.

“Really?” Oded asked, his heart swelling.

“Yeah, she was ready to jump on the next plane to Alberta, but you never called.” Rick paused a moment, then continued. “Damn, maybe I ought to hog tie you for not calling.”

Oded sat down hard in his office chair, his thoughts cluttered. “Are you telling me that she would have flown up there to join me if I’d called?”

“Hell yeah! She even already had the time off work approved. She was just waiting for you to call her so she would know where to find you. I guess your voice mail was screwed up too, cuz she tried leaving a message but it cut her off.”

“Oh Christ!” Oded sighed. God, he could kick himself! He could have saved them all this heartache if he’d just picked up the goddamn phone, not to mention wanting to kill his phone company!

“Hey man, is everything alright?” Rick asked, suddenly concerned by Oded’s reaction.

“No, it’s not. I’m afraid I really screwed up big time, Rick,” Oded said as he leaned his elbows against the computer desk. “Listen, I . . .” He hesitated for a moment, then took the plunge. “I really need someone to talk to about this. Do you have some time to get together today? I mean, if you and Nancy don’t have anything planned?”

“Sure, Oded. As a matter of fact, you caught me at a good time. Nancy is working some overtime today. I’m supposed to go pick her up at work later this afternoon. You’re in Santa Monica, right?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Why don’t I just head up that way now, then I can just leave to pick her up afterwards?”

Oded visibly relaxed. “That would be perfect, Rick. Thanks man, I really appreciate this.”

“No problem. Just give me directions up there to your place and I’ll head on out.”

Oded gave him directions and his phone number then hung up. He sat there a minute, thinking about what Rick had told him. So Raegan had been prepared to join him after all. Whatever had been keeping her from coming with him, she had either gotten over it or she was willing to put it aside to be with him. His heart constricted in pain as he began to realize that he might not ever see her again. He suddenly found it hard to breath. “No!” he groaned out loud. He wouldn’t allow this to happen. They would work it out. He would regain Raegan’s trust and she would forgive him. She had to; he didn’t want to even think about the possibility of a life without her. He knew life would go on, but he’d rather it go on with her as a part of it.

Raegan didn’t know where she was going when she got in her car and left Oded. She got on the 101 freeway heading north and didn’t have another coherent thought until she reached Santa Barbara several hours later. When she finally realized how far she had come, she pulled into a Burger King parking lot and parked the car. She took a deep breath and looked around her. She didn’t remember the drive up here, which was really bad! She could have been in an accident or something with all the crying she’d done while driving. Her stomach hurt, and her head was pounding from a headache. She glanced over at the Burger King and felt her stomach churn at the thought of trying to eat anything. Maybe she would get a milkshake and some fries. That would be better than nothing. She got out of the car and went inside. She placed her order, then went to the restroom to wash her face. Ten minutes later she was back in her car and sitting there, staring out the window ahead of her while she drank some of her chocolate shake. Suddenly tears began to well up in her eyes again as she felt as if her heart was being squeezed. Oded had cheated on her. She couldn’t believe it. She didn’t know what hurt more, the fact that he had cheated on her or the fact that it was with Trish.

“Oh god!” Raegan bent forward, leaning her forehead against the steering wheel. Then he had the audacity to tell her that he was drunk and couldn’t remember anything. That was the oldest line in the book, and she would never in a million years have thought that Oded would stoop so low as to give her that line. What a fool she had been to ever think that she could have a relationship with someone like Oded. This only confirmed her fear that celebrity relationships don’t work. Raegan glanced at her watch. It was just after one. Nancy would still be at work. Maybe if she hurried, she could pick Nancy up. She really needed to talk to someone. Raegan grabbed at her purse, pulled out her cell phone, and punched in Nancy’s work number.

“Nancy.” At the sound of her voice, Raegan lost it. She began crying again uncontrollably. “Rae? Is that you?”

Raegan had a hard time breathing, “It’s over, Nance,” she finally whispered.

“Raegan, you’re scaring me. What’s wrong, honey? Where are you?” Nancy asked, trying to not panic herself.

“I’m in Santa Barbara.”

“Santa Barbara! How the heck did you get all the way up there?” Nancy asked, surprised. “Oh never mind, tell me what happened. I thought you were going to go talk to Oded this morning.”

“I was . . . I did. Oh god, Nance, Trish was there and, and . . .” Raegan felt herself losing control again and took a deep breath.

“What? What happened?”

“He slept with her, Nance.”

“WHAT?” Nancy nearly yelled into the phone. “No way! Raegan there has to be some explanation, Oded wouldn’t cheat on you! Especially not with Trish!”

“He admitted it, Nancy. He said that Trish showed up at his hotel room while he was up in Canada. He says that he had been drinking, that he doesn’t remember anything, only that he woke up the next morning with Trish naked beside him.”

“Oh shit!” Nancy breathed. “Oh Rae, I’m so sorry.” Raegan started crying again. “Are you on your way back?”

“Yes, I thought I might swing by and pick you up. I need you, Nance.”

“Okay Raegan. Rick is supposed to pick me up in an hour, but I’ll call him and tell him that you are coming to get me. He’ll understand.”

“I’ll be there as soon as I can,” Raegan informed her quietly.

“Alright, call me when you are almost here and I’ll meet you down front.”

                                                               ********************

                                                                        Chapter 35

Oded opened the door to find Rick standing there. Oded had always considered himself to be bigger than the average guy, but next to Rick he was a shrimp. At 6’2” Oded had to crane his neck up to look at Rick. “Hi Rick. Did you find your way all right?” Oded stepped back to allow Rick to enter.

“Yeah, you gave good directions. Nice place,” he observed, taking a quick look around the dining area and into the living room.

“Thanks. Come on in and have a seat. Can I get you anything to drink?”

“No actually I’m fine, thank you,” Rick answered, settling himself down on the couch.

Oded sat on the love seat and leaned forward, clasped his hands together. The look on his face told Rick that what he had to say was very serious. “You don’t know how much I appreciate you coming out here. I wasn’t sure that you would.”

Rick shrugged with a slight frown. “Why not?”

Oded glanced up at him and flashed him a smile. “Well, I wasn’t really sure whether or not you really liked me, what with Nancy liking me and all.”

Rick laughed. “Oh that! Naa, I trust Nancy, but most of all, I see how you look at Raegan.” Rick shook his head. “I don’t have any worries there. I don’t think I have ever seen a guy more in love with someone than you are with Raegan. You wear your heart out on your sleeve where she is concerned, dude. I think you would be incapable of cheating on her.”

Oded dropped his face into his hands, his body beginning to shake. “I do love Raegan,” he answered softly. He lifted his head to reveal red-rimmed eyes and tears. “She is everything to me, and yet I’m afraid I might have done the very thing you say I couldn’t do.”

“I don’t understand,” Rick replied, knowing that something terrible must have happened for Oded to be in tears. Oded explained to Rick what he remembered of the night that Trish had showed up. When he was through, Rick gave a low whistle. “Damn, man!”

“I tried to tell Raegan this, but she thought I was giving her a line,” Oded replied gruffly as he swiped at the tears that threatened fall. “I even have her handprint across my cheek to prove it.”

“She slapped you, huh?” Rick asked, noticing the red welt on Oded’s cheek. “Well, I hate to say this, Oded, but it does sound pretty lame. Don’t get me wrong,” Rick added when he saw Oded giving him a disbelieving look. “I think you are telling me the truth as you remember it. What I am saying is that, unfortunately, guys have been giving that kind of line to their girlfriends to get out of accepting responsibility of their infidelity for centuries. It’s a common excuse, kind of like ‘the dog ate my homework’ excuse, only this is worse.”

“I see.” Oded nodded. “I guess I never thought of that. But it is the truth, Rick. I don’t know how much you have heard about my problems with Trish, but this is exactly the kind of thing she would pull to break Raegan and me up. The only thing that makes sense to me is that I must have passed out, and she somehow got me in bed and set it up so that when I woke up that next morning and found her naked beside me, I would have had no other choice but to think that we had had sex. I would never in a million years knowingly have sex with Trish. It makes me sick thinking about it.”

Rick nodded. “Yeah, Nancy has told me a little about your publicist. She sounds like someone you don’t want to screw with. No pun intended,” he added quickly.

A small smile twitched around Oded’s mouth. “No she is not.”

“So I guess you are probably hoping I can tell you what to do about getting Raegan to listen to you, huh?” Rick guessed.

“I was kind of hoping maybe you had a few words of wisdom on what I could do,” Oded answered.

“I’m afraid this is more Nancy’s department than mine. I’ve gotten to know Raegan pretty well since Nancy and I started dating, but I’m afraid that the only thing I can tell you is that you are going to have your work cut out for you,” Rick said. “And I certainly do not envy you, but I do believe you, Oded. I’ve always had a good feeling about you. I’ve always liked the way you treat Raegan, and you have always been straightforward and honest with her. I can’t imagine that changing now.”

“Thank you, Rick. That means more to me than you’ll ever know.”

“I’ll see what I can do from my end, as far as sticking up for you. I’ll talk to Nance and see if I can get her to see your side. But don’t expect any warm welcomes from Nancy yet; she is meaner than a wounded grizzly protecting her cubs when it comes to Raegan. I’m afraid she isn’t going to be too receptive on anything having to do with you for a while,” Rick informed him. “Just be patient. I know that is hard right now, but keep yourself busy trying to figure out a way to get Trish to fess up. I’ll keep an eye on Raegan on my end.”

Oded nodded and sighed. “I appreciate your help, Rick, but please know that I don’t expect you to fix my problems for me. I got myself into this mess and I’ll get myself out of it, hopefully with Raegan back by my side.”

“I know, man,” Rick smiled. “Believe me, the last place I want to be is in the middle of this mess, but I can still put in a word here and there to get Raegan to think. Right now, I’m sure she is hurting too much to think clearly and to realize that after everything the two of you have gone through to be together over the last few months, that you would not throw that all away by screwing your publicist.”

“That is what I am counting on. I’m hoping that once she has had time to think about it, that she will realize that I would not do that. But we will see.”

Rick glanced at his watch. “You mind if I give Nancy a call? It’s almost time for me to pick her up.”

“Go right ahead. The phone is over there on the end table at the other end of the couch.” Oded pointed with his finger.

“Thanks.” Rick scooted down the couch and picked up the phone. “Hey babe, you ready for me to come get you?”

“Rick, thank god you called! Raegan is a mess. She is on her way here now to pick me up,” Nancy informed him quickly.

“She is? Is she alright?” Rick turned and looked at Oded.

“No, she is not alright! Where are you anyway? I’ve been trying to call you for over an hour! Are you at home? Do you know what that bastard did to Rae? He screwed that bitch Trish! God damn it, Rick, if I ever see him again, I’ll kill him for hurting Raegan like that!”

“Well, then you probably don’t want to know where I am then.” Rick winced, knowing that Nancy was going to be furious with him for coming over here to Oded’s.

“Where are you?” Nancy asked softly.

“I’m over here at Oded’s.” Rick held the phone away from his ear as Nancy’s voice rose loud enough that even Oded could hear her cursing from the other side of the living room. “Settle down, babe. Neither one of us is judge and jury here. It’s not up to you and I to determine who is right and wrong.”

Nancy was quiet for a minute. Rick was beginning to wonder if she was going to speak to him again. Then he heard her sigh. “Damn it, Rick, I hate it when you are right. So why are you over there, anyway?”

“Because he called me and needed a friend to talk to. He is just as upset by all of this as Raegan is, Nance. And I think that if you would just settle down long enough to think about it and listen to what he has to say, you would probably see things differently,” Rick informed her. “You remember all that stuff you told Rae when she first discovered that Oded was the one posting under that fake name? You told her she needed to be fair and listen to what Oded had to say, to let him explain. Well the same applies to you, babe.”

“Damn,” Nancy sighed. “Why do my words of wisdom always have to come back and bite me in the ass? All right, but I don’t have the time right now. Rae is going to be here any minute, so I gotta get downstairs.”

“Okay. You want me to come to the house or do you and Rae need some time?” Rick asked.

“No, give us some time.”

“I’ll call you later then,” Rick told her.

“I love you, Rick,” Nancy said then added, “Tell Oded he’d better be glad to have a friend like you.”

“I love you too, babe, and I already know he appreciates it,” Rick answered and hung up.

“Don’t tell me - Nancy knows,” Oded guessed. “And I take it she’s pissed.”

“No shit!” Rick turned at looked at him. “But I think I got through to her. Raegan called her and is picking her up at work.”

“Did Nancy say how Raegan was doing?”

“Only that she is really upset,” Rick answered, noticing Oded’s worried expression. “Hang in there, buddy. I know it looks like things are falling apart right now, but I have a feeling it will all work out. Listen, I got to go before traffic gets too bad. Even on Saturdays it’s a bitch.”

Oded stood and walked Rick to the door. “Thanks for coming, Rick. You’ve helped me more than you know.”

“Glad I could help a little.” Rick turned and held his hand out to shake Oded’s. “Feel free to call me anytime, Oded. I’m honored that you consider me a good enough friend to confide in me.”

Oded smiled and took Rick’s hand in a firm shake. “Door swings both ways, friend.”

Rick turned, opened the door, and stepped out into the warm sunshine. “Thanks, I’ll remember that. Of course, you may regret it when I call you to tell you about Nancy’s latest escapades!”

Oded laughed for the first time in several weeks. “I’ll look forward to hearing about them.”

Rick turned and grinned. “Catch ya later, Ded.”

“See ya,” Oded answered and closed the door.

It was almost a week later before Rick got the opportunity to spend some time with Nancy. They had agreed that she would come to his place so that Raegan would not have to hear them together. They were trying to be considerate, but Rick mostly just wanted to get in Nancy’s pants. He missed her.

“Are we a little horny there, Rick?” Nancy laughed as he immediately began tugging her shirt off the moment she entered his apartment.

He kissed her, loving the feel of her skin under his large hands. “Horny does not even come close to it, babe. It’s more like a burning need to be inside you.” Rick’s breath teased her ear as he left a trail of kisses along her jaw and nibbled on her earlobe.

Nancy gasped as his words sunk in. “Oh shit!” she replied and began yanking at his shirt. Rick laughed and squatted to haul Nancy up and over his shoulder. Her shriek turned into laughter as he carried her to his bedroom and tossed her down on his bed. “God, I love it when you get all cave man on me.” Nancy grinned and they both quickly shed their clothes.

Rick joined her on the bed, and by the time he thrust inside her sometime later, she was a quivering mass, pleading for him to end the delicious torture he was inflicting on her. He brought them both to the edge and then sent them sailing with the stars. Later as they lay in bed, arms and legs entwined, Nancy said, “Alright big guy, spill it.”

“What makes you think I have a motive behind making love to my lady?” Rick asked, stroking her back with his hand.

“Because there was something motivating you this time. Not that I didn’t enjoy it, mind you!” Nancy tugged at the sprinkle of blond hairs on his chest.

Rick sighed. “I guess I have just been thinking too much about Oded and Raegan and the problems they are facing, and it has made me appreciate you more, making me want to take advantage of each moment we have together, letting you know how much I love you.”

Nancy pushed up on one arm and looked down at him. “How sweet!” she said as tears filled her eyes.

“Oh Nancy, don’t do that, honey, I hate it when you cry!” Rick pulled her face down to kiss the tears from her eyes. “Listen, I know this isn’t really the right time to make this kind of decision, at least not until we know Raegan will be alright, but I want you to seriously think about moving in with me soon.”

Nancy smiled at him. “Okay. We’ll talk about it more once things have settled. But I’m warning you now.” Nancy grinned. “I want a bigger place. I’m not shacking up with you in this little match box.”

Rick laughed and drew her close for a lingering kiss before Nancy settled back down against him, laying her head against his chest. Neither one of them had mentioned again Oded, nor what he and Rick had talked about that Saturday. Up until then, Nancy hadn’t really wanted to hear it, but now she knew she needed to hear what Rick thought about the whole situation. Rick was a good judge of character and she knew he really liked Oded. If Rick believed Oded was innocent, well then, maybe she should at least listen.

“Okay loverboy, tell me what you and Ded talked about Saturday.”

Rick smiled and pressed his lips to her forehead. “He believes that Trish set him up. He’s not denying anything, Nance, he just doesn’t believe that he actually had sex with her,” Rick explained. “He told me that he was depressed about what was happening with him and Rae. Said that it really bothered him that she wouldn’t go with him, but mostly he was missing her and wishing he were with her. He said he did the one thing he never does - he started getting drunk.”

Rick felt Nancy nodding her head in agreement. “Rae told me once how Oded doesn’t get into drinking much. She told me that he drew a bath for her once and went and got a bottle of wine for them, but had to go to the garage to get it, and when he brought it in, it was covered with dust. He’d obviously had it a while and had never opened it.”

“Well, Trish showed up while he was on his way to drunksville and he said that she was acting all nice and being concerned about him and Raegan. He said that she even apologized for the way she’d been acting lately. He feels like an ass for believing her, but by then he was too far gone to hear the warning bells going off in his head. He said that the next thing he knew he was telling Trish about everything. Even remembers Trish putting an arm around him in comfort, but after that nothing until he woke up the next morning in bed with her next to him.”

“Huh!” Nancy grunted. “So maybe he did pass out on her and nothing happened.”

“That’s what he thinks, and I believe him, Nance. Oded isn’t the type to make up that kind of crap, and he has never lied to Raegan before. I imagine that if he had slept with Trish, he would have told Rae in the same straightforward way he tells her everything else. And besides,” Rick added, “think about Nance, why would Oded risk everything those two have gone through over the last several months to jump in the sack with a woman he can’t stand?”

Nancy was quiet for a while, thinking about what Rick had said. She wanted to believe Rick for Raegan’s sake. She had never seen her best friend so distraught over a guy. Rae was really torn up over this, and she wanted her happy go lucky friend back. If what Rick said was true and Oded had been set up, then it was up to them to get Raegan to see the truth. Finally she sighed. “All right, you have made your point, and I believe you. So what do we do to get them back together?”

Rick sighed. “I don’t want you to believe me, babe. Oded needs you to believe in him. I’ve talked to him several times this past week, and he is just as upset as Raegan. He also knows that he doesn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell to convince Raegan of the truth if you don’t believe him. Believe it or not, you have that much influence over her.”

Nancy started to deny it, but then recognized the truth for what it was. She did have a lot of influence over Raegan, just as Raegan had a lot of influence over her. They had been inseparable best friends since grade school. They knew each other’s deepest fears and darkest secrets, and that was why it had hurt Nancy so much that Raegan had kept all that mess with Billy hidden from her. “All right. You have Oded’s phone number?”

“Yes, it’s in the living room next to the phone.” Rick smiled.

“Damn it, you knew all along I would see things your way, didn’t you?” Nancy grumbled as she sat up and reached for his shirt to pull it on.

Rick laughed, his rich bass voice sending tingles down her spine. “I just know you, babe. If I’ve learned anything, it’s that you’re always fair and you’ve never passed judgment on anyone without hearing all the evidence first.”

Nancy snorted. “God, I have got to quit hanging out around lawyers. I’m getting corrupted!” She left Rick lying in bed, went into the living room, and found Oded’s number. Grabbing the cordless phone, she dialed the number, then sat down on the sofa.

“Yeah!” Oded answered.

“Well, I see you haven’t improved your phone etiquette at all yet,” Nancy teased.

“Nancy,” Oded said softly. His heart began to hammer in his chest. Her teasing was a positive sign and he smiled. “Well, I’ve been a bit distracted lately, haven’t had time to practice.”

Nancy took a deep breath and released it slowly. “Listen Ded, Rick and I just had a long talk and well, I guess I just wanted to call you and let you know that I believe you didn’t sleep with Trish.”

“Thanks, Nance. I appreciate that. In fact, I’ve already got the ball rolling to have a new publicist assigned to me. I’m suppose to meet with Stan Martin, who owns the agency tomorrow.”

“That’s great, Ded. I’m glad you’re finally going to get rid of that bitch!” Nancy answered.

“How is Raegan?” Oded asked softly, wishing he could be with her now.

“She’s having a rough time with this, Ded. I hope you two can work things out, because this is scaring me. She cries all the time. She’s called in sick at work all week and just lies around, staring at the walls and crying,” Nancy answered. “She’s losing weight because she won’t eat, and I know that I’ve heard her in the bathroom more than once throwing up.”

“Oh Christ!” Oded groaned. “God help me, if I could turn back time and change what happened I would!”

Nancy felt the tears burning in her eyes. She could hear the regret and sadness in Oded’s voice and knew without a doubt that he was telling her the truth. “I know you would, Ded. Listen, Rick and I will do what we can to convince Rae that she needs to talk to you. It’s up to you, though, to clear the air with her!”

“That’s all I ask, Nance is the opportunity to talk to her. I don’t expect anything more from you guys, you’ve done so much for me and Raegan already,” Oded answered, his voice husky with emotion.

“That’s what friends are for, Ded,” Nancy smiled. “I’ll let you go now, but I’ll be in touch soon or Raegan will.”

“Thanks again, Nance, and tell Rick I appreciate all he’s done.”

“Will do. Goodnight,” Nancy said.

“Goodnight, Nancy,” Oded answered and hung up.

                                          ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

                                                      What If - Chapters 36 - 37