Chapter twenty-three: The cat is out of the bag
O L I V I A
I fished out my keys and unlocked the door, letting myself in tentatively. I was hoping that Griffin wasn't home yet so I could sneak into my room and pretend to be sick. You know, put off the inevitable as much as I could.
Yeah, no such luck.
It was a little past seven-fifteen and Griffin was waiting was me on the couch just like he promised he would. He looked grim and did not even turn towards the door when he heard me open it. I couldn't make out much except that he was not very happy. Even George wasn't around to buffer, and I had a feeling it was intentional.
I gulped.
"Hey," I greeted hesitantly, hanging my coat on the coat stand and hooking my keys up to the key hook.
"Hi," he acknowledged flatly. I closed my eyes and opened them again, walking over and taking a seat next to him.
"How was your day?" I asked him.
He nodded knowingly. "Ah, the time-old technique of small talk."
"It's not that," I said meekly.
"What is it, then?" He challenged.
Fought and lost.
I bit my lip. "Nothing."
He looked at me in disapproval. "Olivia."
My defensive side kicked in.
"Look," I began, "Here's the thing. I am an adult."
"You're also practically my sister," he said.
"Griffin, even twenty-year-olds don't get interrogated so much," I fended.
"The twenty-year-olds you're referring to do not have the same past as you do," he stated.
I frowned. "What the fuck is that supposed to mean?"
He had just made me sound like some problematic child. I might be many things, but I was not that.
"I'd rather not say." His eyebrows pulled together. "Listen, just next time, let me know when you're not coming home, okay? Let me know you're okay."
Okay, I'll admit I was surprised. I was expecting a lot more ire.
"I will." I sighed. It was a fair request that I would make of him, too.
"Would you like to tell me where you were?" He asked.
"Umm." I wasn't sure. But I knew I had to. He needed to know. He waited patiently. "Okay."
"Go on." He nodded.
"Promise me you won't get mad?" I pleaded.
His gaze became alert and his body went rigid. I looked at him pleadingly and he all but huffed out a breath.
" . . . I promise," he said reluctantly.
"So, uh, I was with," I fumbled miserably. My heart hammered in my chest at his awaiting expression and the bad possible outcomes once the next words would fly out my mouth. I recoiled back prematurely before I tried again, "Ahem, Kai."
His eyebrows shot up into his hairline.
"What?!" He exclaimed.
"Before you get the guns out to kill him, hear me out," I implored desperately. "Listen. I forgave him."
His nostrils flared. "You what?"
I suppressed a wince. "I forgave him."
"Why the heck would you do that?" He questioned incredulously. "He cheated on you. You spent years trying to get over that scumbag and then you ran back to him? Why?"
Ouch, Griff. Low blow.
I shook myself. "I figured that since I couldn't forgive him and he didn't seem to be over me either, why not?"
"What?" He repeated with a scowl.
"Stop saying that." I scowled back. "I know that thing up there is full of George, but try to think."
His eyes narrowed at me.
"Don't bring George into this," he told me.
"Don't call my boyfriend a scumbag," I retorted in a fit. I realized my slip a moment too late.
Oops.
"Your boyfriend?!" He stood up in rage. "Are you fucking crazy?!"
Defense, Olivia. Play defense.
"I'm trying to tell you that the man I love loves me back and we're together, and this is how you react?" I asked him angrily. It wasn't hard. I was sad that he was reacting that way after years of telling me to talk to him and sort it out. It was mostly Sam, but he had tried a fair amount, too.
"That man, he broke you years ago!" He yelled.
I folded my hands across my chest. "I did that to myself."
"No," he hissed. "He did."
I shook my head. "All he did was-"
"Cheat?" He supplied unhelpfully.
"Make a mistake," I corrected. "He made a mistake. He apologized. Period."
"Once a cheater, always a cheater, Olivia."
"He's changed," I insisted.
"He's dating Chelsea!" He pointed out.
I finally allowed myself a smug smile. "No, he's not."
"The tabloids say he is."
See? It's fooling everyone.
I shrugged. "Well, he says he's not and I believe him."
"Oh?" Griffin challenged. He whipped out his phone. "Let's see."
He unlocked the phone, seemingly searching for something.
"This is bullshit, Griffin," I spoke, watching him scroll determinedly. "Stop this. You don't have to like him."
He kept quiet, still searching. I sighed, waiting. When he found what he was looking for, he handed me the phone and plopped back down beside me.
"What is it?" I asked, not taking my eyes off him.
"Read," he told me.
"What-"
He cut me off. "Just do it."
I frowned, bringing my eyes down to the mobile in my hand. My eyes skimmed over the article and with every sentence I read and each picture I looked at, more color drained out of my face. My head hurt.
My heart broke.
"This is not true," I said stubbornly. I was so thankful that my voice was steady.
"It is," Griffin said. "See the date."
I did. It checked.
"No." I shook my head vehemently. "No. He would never."
"He did it once before," he spat. "This is twice."
"No," I repeated.
"Olive, open your eyes," his tone softened. "He's with her. They look cozy. You're setting yourself up for getting hurt."
"They've been friends since high school," I told him defiantly.
"She's so close to him," he sighed, pointing at a photo. "She's even laughing at something he said."
"So?" I challenged with more surety than I felt. "I laugh with you."
"She's kissing him," he added.
"His cheek," I managed to force out, running out of reasons to defend him. "She's kissing his cheek. I kiss your cheek all the time."
"Are you seriously going to defend him?" He asked me, exasperated. "They have a history and he's not even pushing her away!"
"That's a photo," I told him, feeling lightheaded. "He might've."
"Might." He picked out the keyword.
"It's like you want me to break up with him!" I swallowed a sob.
"You should," he huffed. "How long has this been going on for, anyway?"
I focused on breathing properly while I formed the next answer. I didn't want to handle an anxiety attack and I had to control my emotions before they got the best of me and started controlling me.
"Uh," I paused. "Since this Saturday?"
"Well, damn." He looked cross and hurt. "First Samantha and now you. I understand that she lives in a different city and could keep a secret, but you? Would it have killed you to mention it?"
Urgh, Sam. Couldn't you have waited like another day or two?
"It's been three days," I defended.
"And we share an apartment," he deadpanned. I groaned in defeat.
"I didn't tell you because I knew you would throw a fit," I grumbled.
"I wouldn't have," he said.
I rolled my eyes. "You just did."
"Had you told me yourself before, I might not have just thought of a hundred different ways to kill Kaison and get away with it."
I highly doubt it.
"Griffin." I snorted, unable to help myself. The tone in which he said it and his expression while he did . . . it was a hilarious combination.
"Whatever." He sighed as if gathering his energy or preparing himself for something unpleasant. "Are you happy?"
I sobered up again, wiping the corner of my eyes. "I am."
"Then that's what matters. I will try to tolerate him." He grimaced. "Just take care, will you?"
"I will," I agreed with a laugh. "Thank you."
"Of course." He exhaled deliberately. "Now go, freshen up. I've ordered pasta."
"Ouuu, I love it! But what about George?" I asked as I got up.
"He's my boyfriend, not my husband," he replied. "I'm sure he can survive."
"You're going to marry that guy," I stated with conviction, walking into my room.
Call me crazy, but as I was closing the door, I heard him mutter, "Maybe."
* * * * *
"Pasta," I answered Sam's question. "From that place across the street."
"Ahhh, that place serves amazing Italian food," she fangirled dramatically. It was half-past ten in New York and the three of us were video chatting. "I had sandwiches for dinner. They were dry."
"Poor you," I teased, remembering Kai's cooking. My mouth watered just thinking about it.
"Bitch you look so happy, it's as if you will float any moment." Sam laughed. "What's up?"
I grinned.
"No. Guess," I told her. Griffin chuckled beside me.
"No fair!" Sam complained. "You know, don't you?" She asked Griffin.
"I do," he said. Then he made a face. "You're gonna love it."
"Did you guys buy me the Mercedes I have always wanted? Arrrggghhh, I love you both!" She squealed.
"No," we said in unison. "We did not."
Why would she even think that? We were broke half the time! Mercedes wasn't on the list and wouldn't be for a long, long time.
"Urgh," she groaned dramatically, "What is it, then?"
"Guess," I insisted.
"Just tell me," she whined.
I shook my head in disappointment. "You're no fun."
"Livvvvvv," she sang in complaint.
"Just tell her." Griffin laughed.
"Fine." I chuckled. "Kai and I got back together."
Her jaw dropped open before it went back up slowly. Her lips lifted up and her pearly whites appeared and she let out a loud scream.
"Yes!" She hollered at the top of her lungs. "Yes! Yes! Yes! My ship is finally sailing!!"
Griffin and I burst out laughing again.
"Told you she would flip," I murmured to Griffin.
He elbowed my side gently. "Like I didn't know that."
"Whatever." I grinned.
"I'm so happy! Should we call you guys Levi? Or Kaia? Or something else? We can work on it! OMG!!!"
"Shut up!" Griffin told her when she didn't stop for a while. She did, eventually but her cheeks were flushed. "I have news, too," he revealed when we looked at him expectantly.
"What?" I asked him curiously. "You didn't say anything about this 'news' this evening."
"That's because I wanted to tell you both together," he responded.
"What is it?" Sam demanded. She looked restless. I curbed another laugh. She just couldn't help it, could she?
"It's good news," Griffin assured me when I looked at him in concern. "I think."
She rolled her eyes. "Oh, just tell us,"
"Okay," he laughed, "So, George and I have been talking . . . and have decided that we want to move in together."
"Wow, that's amazing!" Sam cheered. "Who's moving in with who?"
Griffin grinned. "I am moving in with him!"
"Damn," I muttered.
"Holy shit! Yes!" Sam jumped up again. "About freaking time! You guys are so in love and have been dating for so long. He's definitely your soulmate!"
Griffin beamed, radiating happiness.
"When?" I asked him.
"This weekend," he said, his grin intact. "Is that okay for you?"
I forced a smile. "Yeah. Yeah, this weekend is good."
"You know I can hold it off, right?" He asked me. He probably noticed my obvious stiffness. "We practically already live together. I'm sure he will understand."
"No," I shook my head, "Go for it."
"Are you sure, Olive?"
"I am." I tried to smile more naturally. "I am very happy for you."
He eyed me. "You don't look very happy."
"I'm just in shock." I chuckled. It got easier as the news sunk in. "I just did not see this coming. Trust me, Griff, I'm more than happy for you. You deserve this."
He crushed me into a hug. "Thank you, Olive."
"Awwww," Sam sang. I let out another chuckle as I detached myself from Griff. "Guys, as cute as this is, I have to go."
"Ohhh, lover boy time?" Griffin jested.
"Shut up." She scowled playfully. "Josh is waiting."
"Bye." I waved. I knew her urgency. I felt it in me too when I knew I would see Kai soon.
"Bye, guys! Good night!"
She hung up without waiting for an answer.
"I wanted to tease her some more," Griffin mused.
"That would've been nice," I hummed. I glanced at the clock. It was past eleven. I sighed. "I should turn in for the night," I said, shutting my laptop down. Griffin's eyes went up to the clock and he nodded.
"Yeah. You go, I'll go give George a call," he said.
"It's late. I'm sure G can survive," I threw his words back at him. He scowled at me.
"A short call," he insisted.
"Short. Right." I snorted. "I'll be sleeping. Good night!"
"G'night, Olive. Sleep well."
"You too," I called over my shoulder.
I closed the door behind me, kept my laptop on the desk, and walked into the bathroom. I twisted my hair back and secured them in a claw clip. I proceeded with my routine and when I was done, I went back into the room. I switched on the bedside lamp and then switched off the main lights. My body was feeling exhausted. I picked up my phone before I slipped under the covers. It felt cold. I set my alarm and then locked the phone, trying to sleep.
My phone rang and I cursed. I was crabby for no reason. When I saw the caller ID, some of my irritation dissipated. I answered it.
"Hey."
"Hey. You in bed?" Kai asked.
"Yeah." My lips tugged up. "You?"
"Same."
I turned over to my side. "What's up?"
"The ceiling."
I rolled my eyes as he chuckled at his own joke.
"Why'd you call?" I asked.
"You need to stop questioning that," he muttered.
"Maybe." I bit my lip.
"I wanted to talk to you," he replied nonetheless.
"Umhmm?"
"Yeah," he said. "We haven't really spoken all day."
"True," I mused. I heard the rustling of cloth and deduced that he was just tossing about.
"I wanted to tell you something," he said.
I had a feeling where that was going to go.
"Go on," I told him, playing with the edge of a pillowcase.
"So, uh," he paused, searching for words. "Chelsea showed up at my place today."
"Hmm?"
"And she tagged along with me for the appointment."
I didn't say anything so he continued, "She convinced me to have lunch with her and I have a feeling that the paparazzi caught us when she kissed my cheek in farewell."
I hummed.
"Won't you say anything?" He asked. "Say something."
"What is there to say?" I counter-questioned, halting my fingers.
"Anything?" He suggested, seeming a little thrown off and haywire. "Scream at me if you like. I don't like your silence."
"You went to your appointment with your ex," I started stating the facts, "Then you had lunch with her. The paparazzi caught you. Again. I don't know what to say."
"I'm sorry," he apologized.
"I know." It came out robotic.
I heard him swallow. "It won't happen again."
"You don't know that," I said.
"I can try," he responded.
I sighed. "You can."
"I really am s-"
I closed my eyes, feeling sick of that.
"Don't." I interrupted him. "Prove it with your actions."
He was silent for a moment. "Alright, I will. Also, for the record, I did push her away. I don't know why no story mentions that."
"Crazy, hun?" I resumed playing with my pillowcase.
"It's weird," he sounded genuinely baffled. "Usually, they're so busy reading between the lines and scrutinizing our actions!"
"It will pass," I said with a yawn.
"I'm keeping you up," he muttered. "I'm sorry. Good night, Livvy."
I didn't even protest.
"'Night, Kai." I disconnected the call.
I threw my phone beside me and closed my eyes. My body kept looking for something to wound up against and in frustration, I just grabbed my pillow and cuddled it. When that didn't work, I grabbed more. I had a lot of pillows on my bed. Then I tucked myself inside the comforter.
I knew it was useless. The pillows weren't warm, nor were they muscular and they definitely weren't cuddling me back. I wanted one specific person there beside me and he was miles away. I was also not very pleased with him at that very moment. He let her near him and that was my problem. He let her too close. I might have fought Griffin for him, but that did not mean I was okay with his actions.
I was disturbed and I felt turmoiled.
I tossed and turned a long time before I managed to fall asleep that night.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
A/N:-
I'm tiirrreeedddd.
QOTD: Tea or coffee?
Take care! See ya tomorrow.
All my love,
xoxo.