Page 35 of 4-Ever

Six Months Later

Ronin

Faise was ignoring my calls and texts. Again.

A few weeks ago, he claimed he was sick and wanted to be alone. But after three more weeks of barely any communication, outside of our recording sessions, it was obvious to me that he was lying. He was avoiding me.

And it hurt.

Fed up with his silent routine, I grabbed my keys and headed for my car. We lived a short drive from each other but lately, even that felt like a huge distance between us.

He wouldn’t be using again, would he? No. Don’t go there.

I paid attention in the recording studio when we were working, and he’d been his usual self. Quiet but giving it his all.

When I pulled up to his property, I entered the code, and the gates opened. But there was a car there I didn’t recognize. Maybe Van? Or one of our security team? I parked my car and stepped out, stalking up to the front door and banging on it with my fist.

No answer. Again.

Then I texted him.

Ronin: I’m here. You don’t answer in five and I’m using my key.

Faise: I’m busy. Come back in a few days.

A few days?

Ronin: Busy? With what?

That was bullshit. He was never too busy to see me.

Faise: I’ve got company and I don’t want to be disturbed.

I was worried sick about him, and he was getting off? And what the fuck did he mean by a few days? Was he seeing someone?

Ronin: Sorry to interrupt your afternoon blowjob, but I thought something was wrong. You keep avoiding my calls and texts.

Faise: We’re cool. But maybe it’s time we start doing our own thing, yeah? We don’t always have to be in other’s back pocket. I’m seeing someone. He’s a great guy. But we need our privacy. Try to understand.

Understand? Faise had a boyfriend? Since when? How? And he needed space? From me?

For a moment, my stomach heaved, and I swore I was going to throw up. Right there on Faise’s front steps.

Ronin: I don’t know what’s going on with you, but we’re not done with this.

Faise: Later

“Fuck!” I yelled out.

I had to a mind to use the key anyway, but I didn’t. Instead, I got back in my car. Tapping on speakerphone, I dialled Brodie.

“Hey Ro, what’s up?”

“Can I come over?”

“Sure, everything okay?”

“No,” I paused, my throat closing over. “It’s not okay. It’s Faise.”

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