“Why are you crying?” He asked.

I wiped my face. “It’s nothing. I’m just so happy.” I lied behind a fake smile.

“Awe.” He smiled and hugged me and kissed the top of my head. “Well there’s no need to cry.” He chuckled.

I nodded. “Where’s my baby?” He pointed towards my mom and I walked away.

Zack’s POV

I could tell something was bothering Lex. I stood there awkwardly with Val after Lex walked away. I just felt like there was something I should know.

“So.” I stated.

“So.”

“What’s wrong with Lex, Val?” I asked.

“Nothing’s wrong.” She laughed nervously. “She’s just happy to be home and to see everyone. Not to mention she still a newlywed.”

I sighed. “I just feel like there’s something she’s not telling me. She’s hiding something and I need to know what it is.”

“Don’t worry about it, Zee. She’s fine, trust me.”

“Okay, okay. Whatever you say.”

Brian’s POV

After talking with Lex, I felt better. I knew what needed to be done and I know it couldn’t wait any longer. I walked up to Zoe.

“Hey baby.” She smiled and wrapped her arms around me.

“Hey, we need to talk. Can we get out of here?” I asked. She nervously pulled away and nodded and we made our way out the front door. I knew after this talk I would just come back so I didn’t bother saying goodbye to anyone.

“What is it Bri?” She asked.

I scratched the back of my neck. “This isn’t working Zoe.”

“What?” She said coldly.

“Us. I’m just not feeling what I should be feeling. I don’t love you enough to begin a family with you. I love you, but just not enough to spend every waking moment with you.” I said honestly.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” She snapped.

“I’m sorry, but it’s just I can’t let you go on in this relationship while one I have feelings for Lex, still and two I just know I can’t give you what you want and vice versus.”

“Whatever, Brian.” She stormed away. I sighed in relief knowing that there was one thing checked off of my list. I was glad she didn’t make a huge scene out of it but I’m sure she would have if we hadn’t been here. I made my way back inside and the first thing I saw was a Lex on the bottom of her staircase in tears.

“Lex,” I said sympathetically.

She looked up and sniffed. “Oh, hey Brian.” She wiped away her tears. “What are you doing?”

“I uh just ended it with Zoe. Are you alright?” I asked.

She shook her head. “No.” I made my way beside her and sat down.

“What’s the matter?”

“I don’t wanna talk about it here with you.” She said.

“I understand. Do you want me to leave you alone?”

“Can you go get me a drink?” I asked.

“Um, yeah. What about Avery?”

“She’s staying with my mom tonight. They already left.”

“Oh, okay. Any specific?”

“The most potent.” I sighed knowing she was drinking her pain away, but of course I got up and got a bottle of jack along with two shot glasses. I wasn’t going to let her drink alone. Not to mention I want to drink my sorrows away also.

“Here,” I said sitting down next to her handing her the bottle.

“Good choice.” She opened it up and just took a drink.

“I, uh, got some shot glasses.”

“I don’t need them. I’m not drinking to have fun.” She handed me the bottle and I took it.

“Why are you drinking then?” I asked and then took a drink, handing her back the bottle.

“To ease the pain.”

“You seem so happy, Lex.”

She laughed sarcastically. “It’s all a game. My whole fucking life is a game.” I was confused.

“I’m confused.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll be fine tomorrow.” ***************************************************************************************************************************

An hour passed and both Lex and I were wasted and the bottle of jack had been long gone. She has seemed to lighten up a bit and that made me feel a lot better.

“You know if there wasn’t all this fucking drama all the time, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

“What do you mean?”

“The drama pushed me away from you. All the shit everyone and you and my thoughts were saying just made me hate you when in reality all I do is love you.”

I looked at her. Why was she telling me this? “You’re drunk Lex. You don’t know what you’re saying.”

“No, I know what I’m saying. That’s why I was crying. Now that all this shit has simmered down all that’s come up was the feelings I have for you. I love Zack, but I love you. Equally.”

“You wanna go for a walk?” She nodded. I got up and held my hand out to her and she gladly took it and we made our way outside.

“Am I wrong for feeling this way?” She asked.

“You’re married, Lex. You made the commitment to Zack.”

“I know. I feel like shit, but what am I supposed to do? I wish I would’ve felt this before I committed.”

“Lex, you’re drunk. Stop saying this. I was just ready to give up on you and now you’re making me take three steps back.”

“Well you know maybe I just can’t hide it anymore!” She snapped. I stopped and looked at her. Her eyes were red and puffy from the crying she’s done today. Her eyes were bloodshot, but behind it all I could see honesty. She wasn’t lying about this. I didn’t know what to do.

“Why are you doing this now?” I asked.

“I don’t know, Brian. I thought I was done and over with you, but next thing I fucking know you’re all I want. I have a fucking child and I’m married and I’m sitting here being immature and having this school girl crush on a man that has hurt me more than anything.”

“I tried to talk you out of it.”

“I love Zack, Brian. I really do, but I love you. I’m fucked.” She sat down on the curb and sighed.

“Lex, you’re not fucked.” I said sitting down next to her. She leaned her head on my shoulder.

“Why can’t life just be easy?”

“Because then life would be boring.” He laughed. She looked up at me.

“Why didn’t you show me this side of you before I got with Zack?”

“Because I didn’t realize this side of me until after.” Before I knew it my body took control and I crashed my drunken lips into hers. Her mouth moved rhythmically with mine and it just felt right. I know it was wrong, but her melting her heart out just made all these feelings that I pushed away come up. What was I supposed to do when the girl I love was practically admitting that she loves me?

I pulled away and looked at her. “I love you, Lex.”

“Shh… You’re ruining the moment.” She smiled and kissed me once more. “Let’s get out of here.” She smiled. She got up and held a hand out, but I didn’t know what that meant. Did she want to go back to her house or mine? Was she throwing herself at me allowing me to have sex with her? Should I take the offer even though she’s married to my best friend? I grabbed her hand and she pulled me up and we continued to walk… towards my house.