Page 5 of Fate Forever and Always

I tried to rip my arm away but couldn't, so I looked at him sternly. “Apparently not,” I said sarcastically. “Let me go, or I will call the cops.”

He did, and after rubbing my wrist, I removed my ring, placed it in his hands, and dropped my voice before speaking again because I meant every word of what I was about to say, and I needed him to really listen, “I hope you found whatever you were looking for in those ten other women, Jake… because now that is all you have.”

After packing a bag, I called Aubrey on the way out. She didn’t answer, and I didn’t want to just show up, even though I often do that. I sat on the front steps with my head in my hands and started contemplating what I would do next.

I teach private piano lessons from home. I’m unsure where I will teach from now on since my mom lives in a one-bedroom apartment, and both of my best friends have their own lives.

Logically, I knew I couldn’t afford to live in my house alone, so I’d have to get some shitty-ass apartment, and I’d have to travel to my students again, I suppose. Unfortunately, that will limit the number of students I can see.

I was not okay, so I called the only other person who I knew would answer, and he did immediately. He always does.

"I can't stay here. Can I spend the night until I figure out what to do next?"

“Come on over, Sweets. Do you need me to pick you up?” Nick’s voice gave me a comfort I hadn't felt from him in a long time.

"Yes," I whispered.

"I’m on my way.”

Chapter two

Nick

Callista Adriana Diaz, or Callie, as everyone calls her, is the love of my life, and I will die on that hill. We have been friends since I moved here to live with my grandmother when I was fifteen. Callie is a year younger, but we were in the same grade since I repeated a year when I was eleven. I had gotten sick when I was ten and missed a ton of school, so my parents held me back. It must have been fate.

My parents passed away a few days before my fifteenth birthday. They were killed in a hit-and-run accident. I was the only other person in the car with my parents and could give a vague description of the guy I saw running away. My description led officials to find him a few days later. I still carry a lot of guilt for surviving when they didn’t. Although that was the worst thing that could ever have happened to me, it also led to the best—mypeople.

Callie and Aubrey have been my best friends ever since. I have never crossed the line with either of them unless you count the mutually horrible kiss Aubrey and I had after our junior prom. Itwas like kissing my sister, and she agreed. Out of the two, I have always been closer to Aubrey since I met her first. Callie and I were friends with Aubrey separately, so naturally, we became friends too. Callie and I have had a complicated relationship for years. At least on my end, I have this attraction to her I’ve just never been able to act upon, so it presents itself as me being a little standoffish.

I got up the nerve to tell her once when I was eighteen; she was seventeen. I told her I needed to talk to her. Before I could speak, she cut me off, telling me about Jake. That was the end of that. Ever since then, things have been a little weird between us. I always felt uncomfortable when he was around. Watching someone touch what you know belongs to you fucking hurts. Some may call it jealousy, but she and I constantly bickered like we were a married couple. I think she may actually hate me deep down, but I would never ask because that would break my fucking heart, so I just take what I can get.

Over the years, I’ve watched both my best friends fall in love. I watched Aubrey get hurt and find a new love with Lincoln, and I thought I was about to watch Callie marry Jake. Her wedding is two weeks away, but at the moment, she is sitting on my couch with my laptop, looking at apartments. She probably shouldn’t be doing anything like that right now, considering she is drinking straight from a bottle of wine she opened not even an hour ago. It's almost gone. She is three sheets to the wind.

When she showed up last night, I didn’t know what to do except hug her tightly. My heart was flooded with emotions and a multitude of thoughts. I was hurting for her. I hated seeing her like this. She is such a strong, independent woman, and she was breaking apart before my eyes. Selfishly, a part of me felt relieved. Does that make me an asshole for thinking that? Probably, but I don't think anyone would fault me for being happy that she won’t be marrying that piece of shit. I knew hewas cheating. I fucking knew it. Aubrey and I both did. We just couldn’t prove it.

Callie fell asleep in my bed last night while I was consoling her. I got up and slept in the guest room to give her space. I didn’t want to crowd her.

When Callie called me, I couldn’t have been more grateful my grandmother left me her house in the will. I miss her like crazy, but she ensured I was cared for if something ever happened to her. She left me her life insurance payout and the house, which is paid off, so even though I make a measly teacher’s salary, I am still pretty well off.

Callie has barely spoken a word to me today other than thanking me for helping her last night. She asked to use my computer and to bring my car to her house to help her pack some stuff, but nothing more. It’s taking everything in me not to kick Jake’s ass for hurting my perfect girl; he is lucky he wasn’t home when I was there. Although I look skinny and nerdy, I can hold my own, and since I would do anything for her, I would kill him if she asked me to.

“Cal, why don’t we put the wine away and talk.”

“Bout what? I have nothing to say.” She didn’t even look up from the computer.

“Cal put the computer down. I need to talk to you.”

She rolled her eyes and closed it. She twisted her body toward me and wrapped the blanket tighter around herself.

“I know you don’t enjoy talking about your feelings, and I understand that, but we have to talk about this.”

She was quiet for a second, and her eyes started to tear up. “Nick, if I talk, I’ll cry, and I don’t want to cry in front of you anymore. I’m embarrassed enough. I don’t need you thinking any less of me than you already do.”

My eyebrow shot up in confusion. “What are you talking about? Are you being serious? Do you really think that, or are you just trying to be annoying and push me away?”

She shrugged, giving me nothing else.

“Number one, I would never think less of you for crying. You are my best friend. You could cry all day and I would never think less of you. God knows you’ve seen me cry a few times over the years. Did you think any less of me?” I didn't let her answer. I just kept talking to prove my point. “Number two, your life just fell apart.” She sniffled and let out a small whimper, so I grabbed her hand. “You're allowed to be hurt, and you're allowed to cry without judgment. However, I might judge you a little if you keep drinking that bottle of wine. It’s almost gone, ya lush.” I smiled to let her know I was joking…kind of.

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