Zack

Evelyn disappeared after our encounter in her old bedroom. I didn't mind, she didn't belong here and the party was better off without her. Okay, maybe that was a little harsh; this was, after all, her family reunion and I was just crashing it.

Still, I didn't care; I didn't want her around me. I joined Gena back downstairs who was in a conversation with one of Matt's other cousins.

"Baby, they're going out to Johnny's Bar later, they asked me to join them, do you want to come?" She asked me.

After seeing Evelyn today, I could definitely use a drink or two...or ten. "Sure," I smiled to them.
Matt and Brian emerged from the house with a beer in their hand. With a kiss on Gena's cheek I dismissed myself from her girl talk and followed my brothers over to the nearby tree.

"Man, you look pissed." Brian acknowledged. He handed me his opened beer and grabbed the one sticking out of his pocket. I brought the beer to my lips and suppressed a refreshing "Ah."

I nodded as Johnny walked up, "Fucking Evelyn, dude"

"What? You fucked Evelyn?" Johnny asked, laughing.

I glared at him and he quickly quieted down. "Her just being here gets under my skin, and then we had a fight upstairs."

Brian raised his eyebrow while he and Johnny exchanged looks. "What were you doing upstairs with her?"

I shook my head and took another swig of beer. I was going to need another one and soon if I had to tell this story. "Long story short, she knows Gena and she cut her hand and Gena told me to go check on her. I didn't want to sound like an asshole because Gena thinks we're friends but damn it, I should have never gone up there." I took another swig of my beer. "She started acting all crazy and jealous of Gena. I don't know what her fucking deal is but she needs to stop acting like such a goddamn cunt."

"Hey, man! That’s my cousin you're talking about." Matt said.

I cut him a glare. "Don't start with me, Sanders. This is partially your fault." I told him.

"Dude, no. I apologized about what happened years ago. You know I didn't do it to hurt you and you know Evelyn didn't do it to hurt you. You've forgiven me, maybe not entirely but at least enough for it to not ruin our friendship so why can't you do the same with her? She's a good person and she has changed over the years. If you'd just give her the chance..."

I cut him off. "You're my brother, Matt. Evelyn means nothing to me. I thought she did but she turned out to be nothing but a snake."

Matt opened his mouth to reply but we were interrupted by Matt's uncle - Evelyn's dad - walking up to us. "Dinner is ready, gentlemen. Have you seen my daughter?"

We all shook our heads. I knew she had probably left but I didn't want to be the one to break the news to her folks - plus, how was I supposed to explain why she left?

"Okay," her dad said. "Well you gentlemen dig in and I'm going to go find her."

We nodded and without another word exchanged between Matt and me we walked over to the food and began to help ourselves.

---

Johnny's bar was crowded tonight. I loved this bar, it was filled with so many memories, and not one of them included Evelyn. Thank God we never snuck in here. I ordered a shot of Jack as soon as we entered and then ordered a beer.

I noticed Whitney across the room from me. She was flirting with a man who seemed super interested in her, so I hoped they left together soon. My eyes scanned the rest of the people in the bar but my eyes never laid their sight upon the one I dreaded seeing. Good, I could get drunk in peace and not have to worry about her begging me for forgiveness every few minutes.

Matt and Brian started a pool game and I turned my attention to them. I was still so angry with Matt, but knew I needed to let it go. He was my best friend, my brother and band mate. But forgiveness was always hard for me. I always sought revenge upon those who deceived or doubted me.

Forgiving Matt was hard but forgiving Evelyn was out of the question. She didn't deserve it. I had no ties to her whatsoever, so why waste my time forgiving her? It would be easier if I just never saw her again.

I ignored the tinge my heart made at the thought of never seeing her again. I wouldn't admit that seeing her today had an effect on me. I decided to order another shot.

Soon, I began to feel drunk and horny. Where was Gena? I hadn't seen her since we got here. My eyes scanned the room again, but this time the bodies blurred together. I lit a cigarette and brought it to my lips.

"Can I borrow one of those?" I heard to my left. I offered them my pack and lighted without even looking at them. "Thanks," they slurred as they slid the pack back to me.

I realized I recognized that voice and I looked over, I internally groaned when I realized it was Whitney sitting beside me.

"What happened to your male friend?" I asked her. I meant it as an "I thought you were leaving and I wouldn't have to deal with your shit" question but I ended up sounding like a jealous ex boyfriend.

She exhaled the smoke. "Any reason you're keeping tabs on me?" She asked.

I laughed humorlessly and avoided her question. "Where's Evelyn?" The question slipped out of my mouth before I could stop it.

Whitney took a long drag off her cigarette before answering. "Any reason why you're keeping tabs on her?" She asked.

I rolled my eyes. "Do you always answer a question?"

She shrugged, a smile playing on her drunken lips. "Do you?"

I stood up from my barstool. "I don't have time for this," I told her, turning to walk away.

"Evelyn's at the hotel." She called after me. "She didn't want to come out because she knew you were probably going to be here. She really does try to stay away from you, Zack. It kills her but she does it."

I turned my attention back to her. "Oh, don't tell me you're going to try to pull that 'she really did love you' bullshit too."

Whitney stared at me for a long time. "You know, she told me about the deal. When she came to New York right before prom. She was so scared to tell me about you because of some stereotype. But once she opened up about you, I could tell how much she loved you. How much she really loved you, Zack. It hadn't been about her calculus homework in a long, long time. She loved you and she knew how important prom was going to be for both of you because it was your first official outing as a couple. It was when everyone would find out about you and her. So she wanted to look perfect, because she loved you and she didn't want to disappoint you."

I didn't reply and so she kept talking.

"She told me how you brought her and Ryan closer. And honest to God, Zack that's something she will never be able to repay you for. She told me she had never been as happy in her entire life as she was with you. You meant the absolute world to her, Zack. And yeah, she made a mistake and she's regretted it ever since. She was young and dumb but she loved you. She loves you."

Whitney stopped talking but I was still wrapping my head around everything she had just said. Finally, instead of deciphering what was true and what was a lie I shook the thoughts from my head. It didn't matter anyways. I was getting married in three weeks.

"Whatever, Whitney," I scoffed before turning back around.

This time instead of calling after me, Whitney stood from her barstool and grabbed my arm, turning me back to her with force. "No! Not "Whatever, Whitney". You're not going to blow me off like you blew her off. Pull your head out of your ass and realize there is a woman right in front of you, figuratively of course, that gives a shit about you and would do anything for your forgiveness." She yelled.

I rolled my eyes. "Fuck off," I told her. "It's not like it would matter anyways. I'm engaged. I'm happy. Gena is the absolute best thing to ever happen to me. She's ten times the woman Evelyn will ever be!"

She scoffed, "Oh, that's why Evelyn saw her cuddled up with some guy that clearly wasn't you last week?" Whitney covered her mouth as soon as the words escaped.

I stared at her, searching her face for something that wasn't there. "You don't know what the fuck you're talking about," I shot before walking off in the opposite direction.

I made my way through the crowded bar in search for my fiancée. I was so angry I could hit someone so I had to get out of here soon. I couldn't believe Evelyn would spark some insane rumour about Gena, she didn't even really know her. Evelyn was just acting like the psychotic, jealous ex-girlfriend she was and I didn't like it. She had her chance to be with me and fucking ruined it.

I found Brian sitting at a table with Michelle. I walked over to them. "Have you seen Gena?" I blurted out.

Michelle glared at me and I knew I had interrupted a moment they were having. "She said she needed to step outside," she snapped. I turned and walked off without another word, knowing nothing good would come of it if I retaliated.

The night air was warm. I spotted Gena instantly, her back was to me and she was talking on her cellphone. I made my way to her impatiently. I didn't want to be rude and interrupt her phone call but I had to get out of here, so I was just going to tell her I was going to catch a cab home but she should stay and hang out with our friends. I just wanted to go home and go to sleep.

She began to speak as I got nearer. "I know," she said, her back still to me. "I miss you too but I can't leave again without it looking suspicious...No, I don't think he suspects anything, but that doesn't mean I can afford to be sloppy...No need to worry about her, she had her chance to tell Zack and didn't. Plus, who do you think he would believe - me or her?"

That was all I needed to hear. The rage that had been building inside me finally exploded like a volcano. My left fist collided with the brick wall next to us. The noise caught Gena's attention and she turned around.

I watched her eyes turn to shock and then fear. "Zack," she breathed as she hung up the phone.

I ignored the pulsating pain in my hand. "Gena, please tell me that's not what I think it was."

"No...I..." She started but we both knew it was a lie.

"What the fuck?" I asked her. I didn't scream at her because I didn't have it in me. Gena was cheating on me. That's who she was always on the phone with. How come I didn't see it sooner? She only shook her head, unable to form words and I could only stare at her. Anger and disappointment and confusion overwhelmed me.

"Why?" Was all I could think. The word slipped from my lips.

Now it was her time to stare at me. Her eyes scanned my face and I knew she was trying to decide if she could get away with a lie or if she should just come clean. I prayed for honesty. I don't know what I would do if she tried to lie her way out of this.

"I don't know," she shrugged. She dropped the facade like it were a ball in her hand.

"You don't know?" I repeated.

She sighed. "It was fun while it lasted, Zack but...I don't know. I met James in New York and we just hit it off. I still love you but you just can't give me everything I need." She cautiously walked around me like she thought I was going to hit her. I thought about it. "I'll have my things out of the house by tomorrow evening." I stood there, completely dumbfounded. "Oh, and Zack?" She called from behind me. I didn't turn around but she continued anyways. "Your friend Evelyn knew about James and I. I took him to my last tattoo appointment. So, apparently I'm not the only one who isn't loyal to you."

I heard her heels click against the concrete as she walked away and soon she was gone. My fiancée cheated on me and my ex-girlfriend knew about it but didn't say a word. I had just seen her hours ago, we were alone together she had plenty of chances to tell me but she didn't. She just allowed it to happen, she wanted to see me get hurt again. She even told Whitney about it - I'm sure they had a good laugh about it. Evelyn couldn't tell me what was going on but she could make sure Whitney knew so she could blab.

---

Before I knew what I was doing I found myself in the lobby of the hotel I heard Whitney say she and Evelyn were staying at. She didn't, however, mention the room number so I had to improvise.

I tried to straighten out my clothes as I walked up to the front desk. "Hi, my girlfriend made reservations for us here while we're in town for a family reunion. We've already checked in and everything but I can't remember our room number. She's already asleep and I think she'd kill me if I woke her up with such a stupid question. Can you help me out?"

The woman at the front desk stared at me for a moment. I stuffed my hand in my pocket. The throbbing had stopped, but apparently had started to bleed at one point.

"Of course," she smiled.

I tried to smile back. "Awesome. The last name is Sanders."

She clicked her keyboard for a few moments and then looked back at me. "Room 314."

"Thank you so much," I nodded before turning on my heel and heading to the elevator.

The ride up was quick seeing as it was pretty late. The doors dinged open and I headed down the hall in search of room 314.

Finally, I found it. Before I could stop myself I was banging on her door with my uninjured hand. After a few impatient moments, I banged on it for a second time. After a third time, the door finally unlocked and I barged into it before it could open completely.

Anger took a hold of me and I slammed it shut. Evelyn was standing in front of me, completely shocked. She was wearing a robe that was loosely tied, exposing a generous amount of cleavage. I tore my eyes from her, hoping she didn't notice. It didn't matter how good I thought she looked, she was still a piece of shit.

"You never cease to fucking amaze me, Evelyn."

I noticed she was looking at my bloody knuckles and I realized how crazed I must have looked but I was too angry to care.

She tightened the robe around her. "What are you talking about, Zack?" she asked. Her voice was cool, calm and collected.

"You know damn well what I'm talking about," I shot her.

Truth be told, she might not have known what I was talking about. But the burn in the back of my throat wouldn't allow me to say it out loud. I couldn't bring myself to admit Gena had cheated on me.

She looked tired. "I really don't, Zack, so..." She opened the door and motioned for me to leave, but my feet were planted.

"So, Gena didn't bring a guy with her when you finished her tattoo?" I glared at her.

She nibbled on her lip as she slowly closed the door and walked over to a table where a half empty bottle of Jack sat. She grabbed two of the cups meant for coffee and sat them beside the bottle. She didn't answer me until each cup had a healthy amount of whisky in them.

"She told you?" She asked me, offering me a cup. I took it from her and she walked to the other side of the room.

I threw the cup at the wall and Evelyn jumped. "This isn't a friendly conversation, Evelyn. You fucking knew she was cheating on me and you still smiled in my face like everything was fine."
She swallowed the whiskey that was in her cup. "Oh and when was I supposed to mention it, Zack? While she was standing right next to you, or when you were upstairs with me telling me how shitty of a person I was? It's not like you would have believed me anyways!" She walked back to the bottle of whiskey and poured herself another helping.

"You know if you were going to tell me you had plenty of chances, Evelyn." I rolled my eyes.
"I was going to talk to Matt about it," she confessed. "I was hoping you would believe him because no matter what you say right now we both know you wouldn't have believed me if I said anything."

"Oh, right because you and Matt keeping secrets from me worked out so well last time, Evelyn!" I scoffed.

"Not a secret, Zack!" She was raising her voice now. "I don't know what you fucking want from me. First you get pissy because I won't leave you alone and now you're mad because I didn't interfere with your life."

I flexed my jaw. I didn't know what I wanted from her either. "How come every time my life starts goes downhill you're right there?" I asked her.

"I don't know," she said.

"Just stay away from me," I told her and turned my back on her. My hand was on the door knob, when suddenly I felt something hit my back. My shirt was suddenly wet and the familiar smell of Jack Daniels wafted around me.

I turned, realizing Evelyn had just thrown her cup of whiskey at me. "What the hell..."

She cut me off. "Leave you alone? I have left you alone, Zack! I don't know why you do not understand that! You think I just look for ways to hurt you? You think I asked for Gena to come into my shop and make an appointment with me? You think I asked her to bring her boyfriend in? I'm not doing anything but living my life. I don't know why we keep being pulled together. I even moved across the fucking country for Christ's sake!"

I didn't realize my feet moving until I was a couple of feet from her. Evelyn grabbed the bottle of Jack, but I caught her wrist before she could throw it at me. "Stop!" I told her, yanking the bottle from her grasp and slamming it down on the table.

We were close enough I could smell the liquor on her breath, which meant...

She chuckled, "You've been drinking." It was a humorless laugh as she yanked her wrist from my grasp.

I took a step back from her. "When are you going back to New York?" I asked her.

"Two days," she told me.

"Good." I turned and this time was able to make it out the door without her throwing anything else at me.

Notes

Thank you so, so much for all the feedback on this story/my other stories this past weekend! You guys are so amazing!! Please, keep it coming! I love hearing from you guys! It really makes my day!

Also, if you're on Mibba, go read tippilanea7x's Avenged Sevenfold stories! She is one of my favourite writers on there and doesn't get the feedback she deserves! Her stories are very well written and refreshing! And she updates regularly (which is always a plus to me)!

Title credit: Asking Alexandria "Sometimes it Ends"