Thanks To You

Chapter Seventeen(Rian)

Rian had been ghosted by all of my friends. Even his best friend. Alex sends one word responses, never wants to hang out. Doesn't want to meet Chelsea. Jack doesn't talk to Rian at work anymore, which made all of Rian's unresolved feeling about him damn near disappear. Even Zack refused to speak to him. And then thing about it is no one even told Rian the problem.

"It just hurts babe. Like he is supposed to be my best friend. Like why does he not want to share in my joy of finding someone I like. He won't meet you!" Rian said as he was cuddled with Chelsea on the bed.

Chelsea stroked Rian's hair. " i'm sure Alex will understand. He should come around. I don't think he means for you to feel unhappy. He's probably just really focused in his relationship with his new boyfriend."

Rian laughed a little bit coldly. "That's the thing is they're not even dating yet ...like they told each other They love each other but they're not even officially dating."

Chelsea looked confused at Rian. "Hmmm odd..."

Rian shrugged. "Nah, they are perfect for each other and Alex falls really fast and I think Zack does too, it's why me and Jack thought they would be perfect for each other. Jack is so protective over Zack. He would never let me set him up with somebody he didn't like... so the fact that the three of them are seeming to hang out with each other more than me, make sense at this point."

Chelsea coughed. "So your best friend Alex is dating someone named Zack? What was your friends name from the hospital?" Chelsea asked Rian as she tried to stop coughing.

Rian handed her a water from the table next to him.

"Zack Merrick and Jack Barakat." Rian said simply.

"Oh. That makes sense. I know them from high school. Jack has always been super protective of Zack. From what I saw."

Rian nodded. He already knew that.

Chelsea nodded sympathetically, sensing the weight of Rian's emotions. "Have you tried talking to him about it?"

Rian sighed, running a hand through his hair.He stood and started pacing. "I've tried, but every time I bring it up, he deflects or changes the subject. It's like I don't even know him anymore."

Chelsea reached out to him, her touch a gentle reassurance. "Maybe there's something going on with him. People change, and sometimes, it's not easy to open up about it."

"I get that," Rian replied, frustration evident in his voice. "But we've been through everything together. We used to be each other's confidants, and now it feels like he's shutting me out."

Chelsea's gaze softened. "Maybe he's struggling with something internally. Give him some time, Rian. It might not be about you personally."

Rian nodded, appreciating Chelsea's perspective. "I just miss the connection we had, you know? It feels like he's slipped away, and I can't reach him."

"Relationships go through ups and downs," Chelsea offered, "and friendships are no exception. Maybe he's dealing with his own demons, and he'll come around when he's ready."

Rian sighed, sinking onto the bed beside Chelsea. "I hope so. I just want my friend back. I want things to go back to the way they were."

Chelsea wrapped her arms around him, offering comfort. "Give it time, Rian. In the meantime, focus on the connections that bring you joy, like the one we're building."

Rian managed a small smile, grateful for Chelsea's support. As they sat together in that quiet moment, he couldn't help but hope that time would eventually heal the rift between him and Alex.

Little did Rian know that Chelsea was hiding a big secret, and she was the one that deeply traumatized, Zack, and that Alex and Jack knew that. They three men were hurt by the fact that Rian was dating her, and falling in love with her. And her two-faced actions by being supportive of Rian, as if nothing happened, were sure to be unsettling in the future. While it wasn't really, Ryan's fault, as he didn't know. Zack, Jack, or Alex couldn't find the words to express to him why they didn't want to talk to her or him.