Walking into the luxurious party at Sebastian and Eli’s club, I’m ushered to the VIP area. The gang’s all here, and I’m greeted with a glass of champagne from Jackson.
“Hey, buddy. Happy New Year. No date?” he asks, handing it over.
“Nope. The only woman I want is a thousand miles away.”
“Still going, huh? I was wondering if you’d stick this out or if it was fleeting,” Eli comments.
“It’s not. I’ll win her back somehow.”
“You should sign up for a dating app under a fake profile and talk to her that way. Oh wait, that’s what got you into this mess.” Cici butts in, her words slightly slurred.
“Sorry. You let this girl loose for one night, and she goes crazy.” Eli swings his arm over her shoulders and pulls her into his side.
Apparently, Cici’s parents are watching Abby for the night. It’s the first time the new mom has been out, and she won't last long by the looks of it. Lily and Sebastian stayed home, not ready to leave their newborn behind.
“Hey, I’m not the crazy one, he is.” Cici points to me. “He’s the one who bamboozled my friend into falling in love with him.”
“What?” I ask her, shocked at the use of the word love. That wasn’t even on the radar as far as I knew. It was hard enough trying to convince her to be exclusive.
“You heard me. You bamboozled her,” Cici slurs again.
“You said she was falling in love with me. Did she say that?”
“What do you care?”
“Because dammit, I’m alreadyin lovewith her, and I need to know if she might feel the same way.”
Eyes go wide all around. “You love her?” Cici asks, tearing up.
“Oh boy, I think it’s time to call it a night,” Eli says.
Jackson and Mia chuckle, watching from the side.
“Nooo. It’s not even midnight,” she whines, not answering my question.
“How about you switch to water for a while then?” Eli suggests.
“Fine. Mia, let’s go hunt down some water.” Cici grabs Mia’s arm and drags her away as Mia gives Eli a thumbs-up and a smile over her shoulder.
“What the hell, man, why haven’t you said anything?” Jackson asks right away.
“Fuck… I didn’t know until you did,” I respond, dumbfounded.
The moment Cici said the word, the light came on, and I recognized it. It’s an intense, desperate feeling like I can’t breathe without her. I’ve been miserable since we split, simply going through the motions. But with this newfound clarity, I have a renewed sense of purpose. If it’s possible she feels a sliver of what I do, then I won’t stop until she’s mine.
Eli looks at me sympathetically. “Well, shit. Have you tried anything after going to her parents’ that day?”
“I’ve written her letters.”
“That’s it? You haven’t sent her flowers?” Jackson asks, astonished.
“Or gifts?” adds Eli.
“No. I thought the letters would mean more. She hasn’t let me explain yet,” I say in defense, before hanging my head in shame. I should have sent flowers, dammit.
Jackson rests his hand on my shoulder, speaking plainly. “Braden, let’s be honest, man. What’s to explain? You fucked up. The best you can do is ask forgiveness for being a complete idiot.”
I shrug his hand off. “Thanks for the vote of confidence, buddy. And you wonder why I haven’t said anything.”
