Closer

44.

"Remember, you can always come back to me."

Eddy's words rang in Brett's ears as he  stared as his own front door, feeling almost sick at the thought of opening it. He felt small and vulnerable, like he was going to lesson without having practiced all week. At least he could retreat back to the relative safety of Eddy's house if it got too bad.

After a deep breath to collect his thoughts, he gathered strength to place his hand on the door handle and carefully pull the door open. It felt like he was stepping into hell, though he knew it would only be Leonora inside. Maybe he would go to hell for breaking up with her after she got pregnant?

"Bretty!" Leonora exclaimed as she appeared in the doorway. Her makeup had ran down her cheeks in black streaks and Brett caught himself thinking she looked like a witch.

She threw herself around his neck, crying still, and Brett responded like he always did by hugging her back. It didn't feel right.

"L... Leonora, we need to talk..." Brett began softly, but Leonora interrupted him by sobbing loudly in his ear. He felt the need to cover it to block the sound.

"Bretty, I'm so sorry. It was a lie, but please hear me out, I..."

"What?"

"I'm not pregnant, okay? I just..."

"You're not pregnant?!"

Brett pushed her firmly away, feeling almost disgusted with her touch. He had stressed so much over nothing?! A pot of annoyance and anger brewes in the bottom of his stomach, and he opened his mouth to continue talking. Leonora was quicker.

"I know it was stupid, Brett, I just... When you spent all that time with Eddy, I thought you didn't want to be with me anymore and... and... I swear, I didn't think..."

"You sure as hell didn't. What the fuck, Leonora?" he said, sounding almost calm now. Inside, though, his anger was boiling. He rubbed his forehead in an attempt to calm himself.

"I just wanted you to care about me again, Brett! I swear that's the only reason!" Leonora almost shouted at him, but the desperation behind her trembling lip was very clear. Brett almost felt bad for her.

"By freaking me out and kicking me out of my own house? Sounds like an amazing plan!" he shouted sarcastically back, running a hand though his hair. "Know what, Leonora? This isn't working."

"What?" Leonora asked meakly, voice breaking up as she spoke.

"I'm... I'm breaking up with you, Leonora. I'm sorry, but this isn't working out."

Brett felt both sad and relieved once the words were spoken. She really was a nice girl, someone he loved and really cared for. They just weren't working as a couple. It just didn't work out.

"B... Bretty... Let's talk about this, please... We can fix this..." Leonora sniffled, trying to reach out to take his hand. "I don't... I don't have anywhere to go, Brett..."

"It's done, Leonora. We're over. Please just..." Brett took a deep breath, trying to gather his thoughts. "I want you out by the end of the month. I'm sorry."