Chapter 2 Post breakup

Allison

“Baby, I can explain. It's really not what it looks like.”

“I swear, I barely know her. She's just been forcing herself on me.”

Ten missed calls.

“Why aren't you picking up my phone calls?”

Five missed calls.

“Pick up the phone, Allie. Let's talk about this. You can't just dump me.”

Fifteen missed calls.

“You fucking bitch! Do you think you're better than me?”

“No one is going to love you the way I do. You're going to come crawling back to me.”

And that was the last text message that made me finally block Sean's number.

It's been three weeks since I caught him cheating on me with Abby and I ended things with him. His text messages had started off with pleas, begging me to take him back, then he tried to gaslight me. When all those didn't work, he resulted to anger.

I had blocked him then and filed a restraining order, just in case he got too crazy and tried to stalk me. His texts had been that concerning.

Since I lost the match, Abby had automatically qualified for Regionals. It was ironic that she had won while also being the reason I had lost.

I decided to take a momentary break from tennis. I don't think I could stand being on the same team with her without murdering her or doing something that would jeopardize my career before it even fully started.

So now, it's just classes and then I'm back in the apartment I share with Sophie. Sometimes, we'll both cozy up with popcorns and watch a movie. Other times, we'll go out to a bar or whatever places Sophie found online.

Right now though, we were helping Bryan pack as he prepares for his one year study abroad program. But I couldn't stop Sophie and Bryan from arguing every five seconds.

“Why on earth would you need to pack this hideous sculpture? It's an eye sore. It's bad enough that we have to stare at it every time we need to watch the TV.” Sophie groaned.

Bryan gasped dramatically. “It is definitely not an eyesore. It's a beautiful piece of art. Right, Al?”

The two of them turned to me and stared expectantly. I looked at the sculpture in question and tried not to wince. Bryan had gotten it on a campus pop sale when he was a freshman and decided to keep it on the TV stand.

The sculpture was hideous and maybe a little creepy, but he had looked so excited when he bought it and I couldn't bring myself to tell him the truth back then. But now…

“I think Sophie is right. You shouldn't pack it. It would weigh a ton and there are still so many things left to pack.” I said. That seem like an answer that partially satisfied both of them.

“Interesting that you didn't say it wasn't an eyesore.” Bryan narrowed his gaze.

I walked towards him and patted his shoulder. “I don't lie on Sundays, Bro. It's the Lord's day.”

Sophie clutched her stomach and burst out laughing. Bryan scoffed at me. “Betrayer.”

Then he turned to Sophie. “I don't understand why you're laughing. It's not funny.”

“Oh, but it is.” Sophie giggled. “That face you made? Literally going to be the highlight of my week.”

“Glad to know my face will be the highlight of your week.” Bryan smirked.

Sophie rolled her eyes while I tried not to gag. It was sometimes infuriating how they went from insulting each other to straight up flirting.

Well, my brother did the flirting and Sophie always tried to not puke.

It was all just harmless anyway. The two of them were too similar to be together. And I certainly have never even considered it.

Before they could switch up to arguing again, I decided to go to the kitchen to grab something for myself and also check my phone. I left it on the kitchen counter the second I stepped into Bryan 's house.

Lately, I just want to be separated from my phone at all times. The only things I get on it is more bad news.

Hate messages from fans asking why I fucked up my match. Social media posts of Abby making it to the Regionals. More posts comparing Abby to me. And my least favourite, Sean messaging me with new numbers asking that we get back together.

I have absolutely no idea why he's so persistent when he clearly wanted to be with Abby. He'd said as much in the storage room that day. I made sure to block all new numbers that texted me, sometimes without reading the text messages.

I walked straight to the fridge and reached for a bottle of water, then changed my mind and grabbed a transparent flask that I'm pretty sure the content isn't water. Probably vodka or something stronger. And that's exactly what I need now.

I slammed the fridge shut and lifted the flask to my lips.

“That's not water.”

I flinched when I heard the masculine voice. I hadn't noticed anyone else in the kitchen when I came in.

To be fair, I hadn't exactly looked around.

I plastered a tight smile on my face and turned around.

“I know.” I said to the broody looking Kaden.

Kaden glanced at me with an eyebrow raised but didn't say anything else. He couldn't careless. He just went back to typing away on his laptop.

And I'm not kidding, he was typing on the island and shirt and chinos with his glasses and signature frown on his face.

Who wears shirt on a Sunday?

I've known Kaden since he became roommate with my brother and I could count on one hand the number of times I've seen him in casual clothing.

I chugged down the content of the flask that I was certain now that it's vodka. The liquid burned as it went down my throat but it was the exact type of burn I needed.

And that liquid plus my heartbroken state was what gave me the courage me to say this, “Your best friend and roommate of four years is going away for an entire year and you're sitting alone in the kitchen brooding.”

Kaden kiften his eyes from the laptop and narrowed his gaze on me. He looked surprised that I was talking to him.

Honestly, I was a little surprised myself. I would usually just ignore him, but… I just wanted to do something, anything that's different from the rigid routine I've thrown myself into in the past few weeks.

And maybe that something was picking a fight with my cold brother's best friend.

“I'm working.” Kaden gestured to the laptop. He gave me a stern look that says he doesn't want to be disturbed.

I should have just taken the hint and left him alone, but I didn't. Instead, I persisted.

“You couldn't sacrifice this one day for your best friend. What kind of man are you Kaden Blackwood?”

Kaden closed his laptop and removed his glasses. My eyes trailed the movement and I found myself admiring his veiny hands.

“You're drunk after a few sips of vodka. You really can't handle your alcohol, Buttercup.” he chuckled.

I hated that nickname. It's cute but Kaden never meant for it to be cute. He always says it like something you call your annoying sibling. He'd labelled me a “buttercup” since the first day he saw me and I was gushing over him because of his handsomeness.

Now that I think about that day, it was really embarrassing.

“But if you must know, I'm driving Bryan to the airport.” He added.

I mentally searched for another thing I could accuse him of, but Bryan's voice interrupted me.

“I heard my name. What did Bryan do this time?” My brother said as he walked into the kitchen.

Kaden stood up from the stool and carried his laptop. “I was just explaining to your sister that I wasn't abandoning you like she thought.”

Then he glanced at me for a second longer before walking out. Bryan glanced between us looking confused.

“What's he talking about?” He asked.

“No idea.” I shrugged and lifted the flask to my mouth again.

“You know that's alcohol, right? I poured it in the flask so I could hide it from Kaden. He always complains about there being too much alcohol in the house.”

I wanted to tell him that he didn't do a good job but I just took another gulp instead.

Bryan was silent for a while. When he spoke, I already had an idea of what he was going to say.

“Al, are you okay?”

“Of course. I'm perfectly fine.” I smiled

It was clearly a lie but I didn't want to worry my brother. He had already began fo contemplate traveling because of everything that's been happening to me. But I wasn't going to let him give up on his dream for me.

“Are you going to be okay by yourself? Maybe I should cancel my plans so–”

“Bryan Alexander Smith.” I called in a stern voice. “You're not going to cancel your plans for me. I'm a grown woman and I can take care of my feelings. You go out there and live yourself.”

But Bryan didn't seem like he believed me. So I continued, “And I wouldn't be alone. I've got Sophie and your broody roommate to keep me company.”

He chuckled at that. Then he walked over to me and hugged me.

“I'm going to miss you, Al.”

“I'll miss you too, brother.” I hugged him back just as tight.

I knew deep down that I had lied. No, I wouldn't be okay in my brother's absence. I was going to try to find happiness though.

I just had to do one little thing first.