Chapter 14

Hello," Chad said, standing up when he recognized who was at the door. "I'll be leaving now, I guess," he said, waving at his boss before walking out the door without a backward glance.

Everyone in the building knew who Mike was. Apart from being Trevor's best friend, he was a renowned art gallery owner. One who almost always had a smile on his face, unlike Trevor.

Not now though.

Trevor got up from his chair to meet his friend. "Hey, man. How're you -"

"Tina?"

"What about her?" Trevor asked, really regretting the fact that he left the door open.

Mike took a few step towards him as he continued speaking, "The same Tina?"

"I-"

"Didn't you say you were done with that?" Mike interrupted. "Sam even told me that you're going on dates, was that a lie?"

"Sam told you that?" Trevor asked in surprise. Why the hell was his brother talking to his friend in the first place? They weren't even that close!

"Don't change the subject, Trevor," Mike said, a fierce expression on his face. "Why are you talking to Tina?"

"What if I'm talking about someone else?" Trevor asked, a bit nervous.

"Please don't act like I'm stupid, Trevor. There's only one girl you'd speak about in that tone."

Mike wasn't the biggest fan of her since last time and this wasn't the best way he would've liked to tell him about her.

"Were you even ever going to tell me about this?" his friend sighed as he stared at him through disappointing eyes.

They were both standing in the middle of the room, watching each other's expressions, with Trevor's hands in his pocket and Mike cross armed.

"I... I don't know," Trevor answered after a while. "I just wanted to take my time with her before that."

"Take your time to do what?" Mike asked. "Didn't she hurt you? She left you and never looked back. I knew you seeing her at the wedding triggered something in you, but I didn't know it made you go absolutely crazy!"

"We're not together or anything, Mike. We're just talking."

"Talking about what exactly?"

"The past, the present... I'm going to use the opportunity to know what happened in the past and why she left."

"I don't think you need to know that, Trev. It's not necessary. The past is the past."

"Maybe for you," Trevor shot back, using one of his hands to ruffle his hair. "But for me, it's still fresh. And if I don't get the truth from her, I don't know if I'll be able to move on."

"Trev..."

"And yes," Trevor said, "Sam was right about me meeting women. He brought the idea, so I've gone on a few dates. Tina was just one of those people I went to see. I'm still going on a few dates, so don't bother me about this."

Mike looked defeated now. His eyes watched his friend sadly as he took in his words.

"Do you really think this is necessary?" he questioned. "What if you fall in love with her again?"

Trevor shrugged. "Then I'll know what to do when that happens. Besides," he grinned, "I'll have you to help me get through it again."

Mike carefully took in his friend's face. "You're so stupid."

"I know."

"And fucking annoying."

"I know."

"Come give me a hug, you fool."

"Okay."

And so, there was no more tension in the room after that. It was obvious Mike didn't agree with his thoughts, but Trevor was happy that his friend wanted to support him despite that.

And he was happy that his friend was back.

He missed him.

***

3 years ago...

He'd wanted to go raw, but with how uneasy she looked, he decided to do what she wanted. Anything to make her happy. Making her happy made him feel happy anyway.

He watched her move her hips up and down, sideways, taking him in, her beautiful body glistening with sweat and the lights in the room making her look ethereal.

Skin slapping against skin, moans, groans and the bed creaking was all that was heard in the room. If anyone was paying attention though.

They kissed, touched and changed positions a few times and he cherished each moment. He'd always done that. He always would.

It was midnight soon, but he was still awake and he couldn't stop looking at her. She was so beautiful. So sexy. He was so lucky to have someone like her with him.

He loved her. And she loved him.

That's why he didn't believe her when she said those words.

She was just tired. Just frustrated with work. He saw the regret in her face when she said those words out loud.

She'd never break up with him. Why would she when they had so much in common? When they had so much plans for each other?

If she really wanted to leave, they wouldn't have slept together. Their touches wouldn't have been so sensual, her gaze wouldn't have been so intense, she wouldn't have smiled at him and she wouldn't have done all those things to him with her tongue... Right?

He sighed. He was just stressing himself out unnecessarily.

Tina was in his arms, warm and very much happy to be there. It'll be fine.

"I love you," he whispered into her ear, leaning forward to kiss her cheek.

Yeah, she wasn't going anywhere.