Marc, what happened? I had Cathy on the phone in tears.
Oh no, don't you start lecturing me too. You're all pissing me off.
Hey—don't take it out on me, okay? Enough with this delayed teenage bullshit already.
She didn't want to listen to me. Of course that asshole played the victim.
Sorry, but isn't he the victim? Have you seen his face? Catherine sent me the photo—you didn't miss him.
Yeah, I messed that idiot up pretty good, that's one good thing. And if the coach hadn't stepped in…
But what you did is serious. Tell me what happened, because right now, this doesn't sound like you at all.
You sure you want my version? Or are you on her side too?
Whoa, easy, buddy, don't bite my head off, alright? I'm just trying to understand. Once again, I'm stuck between you and Catherine, and I don't feel like getting punched from both sides while I'm just trying to help.
Sorry… but you get it—Cathy ripped into me… without knowing or even asking what happened. I'm disgusted.
Come on, tell me so I can understand.
We trained like usual. I avoided him as much as I could, and after the shower, he did it on purpose, that bastard.
Tell it straight—don't drift!
After the shower, he was talking with his group of idiots, loud enough for everyone to hear. Just like last time.
And then?
He started talking about their weekend. Oh man, if you'd heard that… it was disgusting… the way they talked about Catherine, and him adding fuel to the fire. Really low hints, the others were getting all worked up. And meanwhile Catherine had just told us how happy she was… for her it was all beautiful moments. He dirtied everything… he dirtied her… I couldn't stand it, I wanted to shut him up.
Okay, yeah, that makes a lot more sense—that does sound like you.
But she didn't want to let me explain. She didn't let me talk. She just made me confirm his version, but she didn't even ask why I did it. I don't get it. She has to know I wouldn't break a guy's jaw just for fun.
Like you said—Catherine was still on her little cloud, and to her, you're the one who came and smashed it. Not him.
Of course—he still gets to look like the good guy. That's why I'm telling you he did it on purpose. He knew I could hear what they were saying, and he had to know that sooner or later I'd step in. I couldn't just do nothing.
Yeah… he probably was provoking you.
That guy's a piece of shit. He's doing everything he can to push me away from Catherine. And I fell right into his trap. What an idiot I am.
Yeah… but in the meantime… you've lost her.
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Elisabeth, come have a coffee, it's been a while since we spent some time together.
Yeah, that's true.
You look strange, is something wrong?
Marie, I wanted to talk to you about the kids.
That's it, our dream is coming true!!
Yeah… if you want. I remember when they were little and we said that: one day, when they grow up, if they fall in love… And twenty years later…
Yeah, well for now, it's still not completely a win. Marc is in love and he knows it, he's finally accepted it, but Catherine isn't talking to him anymore, let's not forget that. And he's really unhappy.
Yeah, I can imagine. Cathy was pretty shaken too by their last heated exchanges. One minute things are fine, the next they're not. Kids, basically—just with grown-up problems.
What can we do about it anyway? We've been watching them grow for twenty years, there's not much else we can do. I opened Marc's eyes to his feelings, so at least he knows where he stands on his side. Now if Catherine is in love with her boyfriend, it's better that he focuses back on his studies.
Yeah, she does seem happy indeed, but I still haven't completely given up hope, you know. She's very sad to see Marc less often than before, and the fact that they argue about everything and nothing lately affects her more than she admits—I can see it clearly. And on the other hand, she really wants to live her relationship with Stephane to the fullest, since he's the first real boyfriend she's had that's lasted and that she really seems to be in love with.
Yeah, they have to live their own experiences, and we're just here to hand out tissues and put on band-aids like always, that's all.
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Stephane, did you provoke Marc in the locker room?
What? What did he tell you this time?
Nothing, nothing at all—I'm just asking, that's it, don't get worked up. I jumped on him to tear him apart when I found out what he did to you and I didn't let him speak, but it's just not like him to hit someone like that.
Let me remind you that your buddy has never liked me. And our romantic weekend really fueled his jealousy.
His jealousy? No, you're wrong, Steph. Marc, jealous? No.
Are you blind or are you doing it on purpose? That guy is crazy in love with you, that's why he can't stand me.
No, that's totally impossible, what you're saying is false. We're really close, yes, but that's all. Our moms have been best friends since college so we grew up together. That's where it stops.
Yeah right, the big-brother excuse, don't try that with me. I don't believe it for a second. Peter doesn't act the same way with you at all. Admit it—Marc has changed these past few months.
Yes, that's true, but I blamed that on stress, work…
No, don't be stupid, he's jealous, that's all. He didn't think our relationship would last, so now he's doing everything he can to come between us. The fact that you don't see him anymore is a very good thing.
But… I never said that, and I'm obviously going to see him again sooner or later, that's impossible—he's my best friend.
After what he did to me? Then it'll be without me. You'll have to choose. But open your eyes—this can't go on!
Open my eyes? I can't deny my friends just because we're together. You can't ask me to choose, that's impossible. If you love me, you take all of me: my family, my friends, my flaws…
And if you love me, you'll get rid of that guy for the sake of our relationship.