Chapter One
°•°•°•°•°
“Ah, hell no!” I exclaim, confronting the very thing I feared most. “What is *this*?”
Two faces turned to me, standing in the doorway. One wore a smug expression, the other, a look of impending doom. His fate was sealed.
My “boyfriend” scrambled off another woman, a woman who was also, supposedly, my “best friend,” giving me a guilty glance.
You think you know someone. It's a lie.
“B-Brim, it’s not what you think,” he stammered, awkwardly adjusting his pants, dignity crumbling around him.
“Don’t give me that crap! It’s exactly what I think!” Hysterical laughter bubbled up, unwelcome and uncontrollable.
“No, seriously. Let me explain, babe. This really isn’t what it looks like.” Panic tightened his voice.
“Were you having a tea party with my best friend?” I snorted, dripping with sarcasm.
His eyes widened as he approached, hands raised cautiously. “Please, baby, I promise, I can explain.”
“Don’t call me baby! I’m not your baby anymore, and I’ll *never* be your baby again!” I lashed out, blindly fleeing the apartment.
“Stupid ex-boyfriend. Stupid ex-best friend. Stupid me.” I muttered, rubbing my arms against the chill as I walked, cursing myself for choosing to walk instead of drive. I’d imagined spending the night at his place, then he'd drop me off at my house in the morning – a house now feeling miles away, shrouded in darkness.
Silently thanking my uncle for the self-defense training he’d insisted on during high school, I breathed a sigh of relief, knowing I could protect myself if needed.
I dug my phone out of my pocket, dialing a number I knew would bring help.
“Hello?” A groggy voice answered.
A small smile touched my lips as I sniffed. “Uncle Benny?” I greeted my favorite person in the world.
“Pumpkin? What’s wrong? Why are you crying?” His voice was laced with worry.
“I’m fine, just enjoying a nice walk through the neighborhood.” I explained, a half-lie. “Just wanted to hear your voice.”
I heard shuffling on his end. “You don’t sound fine, Brim. Where are you?”
“I’m serious, Uncle Benny.” I dismissed, but I heard the rumble of an engine starting up through the phone. “No, don’t get in your car. I’m fi—”
“Brimmy, tell me where you are.” His tone was no-nonsense, forcing me to spill my location.
“Just getting in my car," he muttered after telling him I was safe. "I'll be there shortly.” He hung up.
I sighed, sinking onto the curb, resting my head in my hands.
Why would someone want to cheat on me? I’m awesome.
Less than five minutes later, a car barreled down the road and stopped abruptly in front of me.
It was my Uncle Benny’s blue Mercedes, and I rolled my eyes as he jumped out, slamming the door behind him.
“Impressive dramatic entrance, old man,” I complimented.
“My intentions,” he muttered, stopping in front of me, placing a finger under my chin to lift my head and study my face. His eyes darkened. “Why were you crying?”
I flinched at the coldness in his tone. He was soft as a teddy bear most of the time, but when angry, he was the most intimidating man on Earth, uncle or not.
I slapped his hand away from my face. “You’re senile, old man. I wasn’s crying, *you* were.”
“Brimmy.” He warned, his tone low.
I mocked his seriousness. “Benny.”
“Just tell me why you were crying.” He snapped impatiently, and I sighed in defeat, deciding to spill everything.
“Derek.” I ducked my head, shame burning in my throat. “And Natasha…” I trailed off, hoping he’d grasp the situation.
He was silent for a moment, then his expression hardened with rage.
“Uncle Ben—”
“I knew that little brat would break your heart! I knew it from the minute he strode into your life like he owned you. His cocky arrogance was never a good sign. That little punk will pay!” He spat out, effectively frightening me.
“Uncle Benny, let’s just forget about it. He doesn’t deserve our attention.” I tried to argue, but I could already see the plan forming in his head.
“Whatever you say, Brimmy.” He nodded, as if agreeing, but I knew better. He wasn’t letting this go.
I sighed in defeat, too tired to even argue. “Can you just take me home? I want to get at least some sleep tonight.”
My uncle studied my exhausted features, then nodded. “Okay.”
°•°●°•°●°•°●°
After getting home, I lacked the energy to even shower or wash my face. I managed to brush my teeth, strip down to my underwear, and collapse face-first into the bed.
A long groan escaped me as my mind replayed the events of the last hour. Now, finally, I saw things I hadn’t noticed before: the longing glances, the secret smiles.
It had been right in front of me the whole time.
So…why had they done it behind my back? Why couldn’t he have just broken up with me and been with her? It would have been better for everyone.
I sighed, feeling defeated, and rolled restlessly.
After ten minutes of wallowing, two conclusions formed: life absolutely sucks, and I need to get out of here…and I know exactly where I’m going.