“Sorry for what?"

“For stealing your girlfriend."

“Huh? You didn't exactly steal her."

“Well, you had her and I wanted her. I'll always remember that day when

I first had sex with her. And no matter how else I spin it, you two were still together then. Didn't The Code say something about not doing that?"

I chuckled. "Things were different back then. WE were different."

“still...”

“Look, if it'll ease your conscience, your apology is accepted. And for the record, you make her happier than I ever could have."

“Thanks. That does mean a lot to me." Nate got introspective again and started staring off into the distance. I patiently waited him out. If ever a man was allowed to be alone with his thoughts, the final hour before getting married was certainly the time.

Then Nate just started talking.

“Remember when we were younger? ALL we could think about was getting laid."

I nodded knowingly.

“Nothing else mattered," he continued. "Must have sex. Must have sex.

Must have sex. Didn't you tell me one time that you couldn't be tackled because you thought your penis would be broken and you wouldn't be able to have sex with Monica after the Prom?"

I chuckled at the memory. "Yep. As it turned out, YOU had sex with

Monica after the Prom."

“Hey, I already apologized for that."

"Oh, I'm not complaining. I had Ellie..." My voice drifted off as memory came back to me.

“Sorry, didn't mean to bring her up," Nate apologized again.

I recovered quickly and waved him off. "No, it's no big deal."

“Monica invited Cherys."

“I know," I shrugged. "She's here with Danielle. Amber's hanging out with them now." I shrugged. "But you were saying?"

Nate looked off into the distance again. "We never really thought about commitment back then. The only reason to be loyal to your girlfriend was that if she caught you cheating then you wouldn't get into her pants anymore. But now?"

I waited on him.

“Look, I'm not trying to be egotistical here." Nate Looked down at the ground.