Chapter Thirty-Six:

I woke up to my blankets being pulled off of me. I blinked and looked around. Matt was trying to sneak out of bed without waking me. I smiled.

“What time is it?” I asked him.

“It’s too early for you to be awake.” He told me, pulling on his boots. I made a face.

“Where are you going?”

“I’ve gotta run. My sister has a choir performance today and my mom’s stuck at work. I don’t know if I’ll be able to see you later. It depends on… things.” He explained.

“Are you giving me the cold shoulder on purpose?” I asked him. He didn’t say anything just stood up.

“I don’t have time to talk. I’ve got to go.”

“Don’t be that guy.”

“What the guy?”

“The guy that gets in my pants and bolts because things get hard.” I sat up.

“I didn’t get into your pants. We never had sex.” His face was grim.

“What changed from last night?” I asked him.

“Nothing.”

“Did Eric do something?” I asked him.

“Look, it doesn’t matter. I’m gonna go. I’ll see you… at school.” He grabbed his jacket and headed for my bedroom door.

“If you don’t want to be a part of this, just tell me.” I looked up at him. How could he?

“Things are complicated right now. I think it’d be better if we had some space for awhile.”

“You’re breaking up with me.” I clarified. He sighed.

“I’ll be around if you need anything but I can’t be there like that for you right now.”

“Is this because I wanted to cool things while Eric was around?”

“It’s part of it. I just can’t be the man you need me to be right now. Thanks for hooking me up with your dad. I’ll be busy with music and school. And I just can’t have the extra drama in my life right now.”

“Is that it?” I asked. My heart feels like it’s shattered. He told me to trust him. He told me I could trust him. He just wanted something from me like everyone else.

“Yeah, that’s it.”

“Last night was a mistake. I’m so stupid.” I can’t cry in front of him. He reached over for me and I pulled out of his grip. I got out of bed and pushed him out of my room. “Get out! I don’t want you here. You’re not welcome in my life anymore. You got what you wanted. Just leave.” I told him. He smirked.

“Works for me. Maybe I’ll find someone who will put out.” He sneered.

“Get out!” I yelled. He turned on his heel and bolted for the front door. I sank to the floor. Jace came out of his room to see what the ruckus was. I’m recovered from worse things before. I can make it again. Eric had to have done something. Matt’s never been that cold. Even so, the things he said cut so deep. I couldn’t stop the tears.

“I’ll kill him.” Jace growled, putting his arms around me.

“Don’t bother. He’s not dating me anymore. You got what you wanted.” I told him. He stiffened.

“I didn’t want you to get hurt. That’s the last thing I’d ever want. I love you, Gel.” He whispered.

“I love you, too.” I told him. He kissed my forehead, then my cheek, and hovered over my mouth before placing his lips on mine. I didn’t push him away. I don’t want him to be a rebound and I don’t know what I want right now. I pulled away. “Don’t. I’m not ready. It’ll just make things so much more complicated.” I told him. He gave me a sad smile.

“When you are ready, I’m here.” He brushed a lock of hair out of my eyes. “Go shower. We’ll have a movie day. I’ll let mom know what happened.”

I nodded and pushed myself off of the floor. I walked back into my room and into the bathroom. I stripped out of my pajamas and covered my cast before turning on the water before stepping into the shower. It’s freezing but I don’t really feel it. I feel numb. I stood there for a minute before sobs raked my chest and I started hitting the wall. I couldn’t move for what felt like hours. I switched the water to hot and watched my skin turn red. I lost track of time. I turned off the water when it started to run cold.

I dried off and threw my hair up. I pulled on lazy clothes and headed downstairs. Gwen pulled me into a hug when she saw me. Seeing her look of pity was enough to make the tears start again. She held me until I was spent. She didn’t say anything just pointed to the couch and handed me a bowl of ice cream. She gave Jace the look and he followed her out of the room. I can hear their voices but I can’t make out what they’re saying.

Halfway through my bowl he returned. He sat next to me and put his arm around me. Gwen looked pissed off but didn’t say anything. Jace turned on a movie and snuggled up with me.

-.-
Matt’s POV

I pulled out my phone as I got my car and dialed Brian’s number.

“Dude, this better be a fucking emergency. It’s early as fuck.” He grumbled.

“I broke up with Angela.” I told him. I can’t undo what I did but I would do anything to take it back. I know I hurt her. I had to.

“What the fuck man? Are you serious?”

“Yeah. I can’t let her get hurt because of me, bro.”

“Matt, do you hear yourself? You know that she’s crushed right now.”

“Yeah, but at least she’ll be safer when her stepdad gets back tomorrow.”

“He’s coming back tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow.” I echoed.

“Do you need anything, man?” He asked.

“I need to get wasted.” I told him.

“Meet me at my place.”

“Thanks Brian.” I hung up. I hate myself for being that guy and making her feel like that girl. I pushed her right into Jace’s arms. I can’t stand to picture them together. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to get her back.

-.-
Angela’s POV

We blew through my favorite movies and most of the Tim Burton films I owned. We’re watching Edward Scissorhands at the moment. I started to fall asleep on Jace’s shoulder. He put his arms around me.

-.-

“Gel, wake up. We should get to bed.” He helped me off the couch. I frowned.

“I don’t want to stay alone tonight.” I told him.

“I don’t know. You didn’t wanna push things.” He reminded me.

“I know, but I don’t want to be alone. I’ll be alone tomorrow.” I told him. He sighed.

“Alright. Let’s stay in my room.”

“Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.” He smiled and led me upstairs. It feels different than before. Maybe it’s because all of our cards are out there and I’m single again. I don’t know. I laid down and got comfortable. He followed suit and wrapped his arms around me. “Do you want me to be there tomorrow?” He asked me. I shook my head.

“I’ll be okay. Matt was supposed to go but I didn’t get a chance to tell him before he decided to be a guy.”

“Okay. If you change your mind…”

“I know, thanks. I’m tired.” I told him.

“Goodnight.” He whispered. He leaned in and hesitated over my mouth. “Is this okay?” He asked.

“Yeah. Just this once.” I warned. He leaned in and molded our mouths together. I swear; I felt it in my toes. I pulled away, surprised. It’s more than I thought I would feel but he’s not Matt.

“Goodnight.” I closed my eyes and wanted to forget that tomorrow is coming.

Notes

Alright, don't hate me. There's a method to my madness -- I swear. More drama next chapter.

My husband is alright, just obnoxiously stubborn. He had a three nerve resection because his hernia wasn't healing the right way.

I'll try and have another chapter up tonight or in the morning.