Dear Ex Wife Please take me back by The Every Woman

Chapter 88 ~ Insufferable ass

ALEX

"Pour me a drink," I demand the moment I walk into the room and throw myself on lan's office couch.

lann looks at me like I've grown a second head.

"Hello to you too," he mutters, rolling his eyes halfway.

lann and I have been best friends for five years now. Met at some dull conference and clicked, rare for me. But I guess Luca will just have to suck it up.

He's a petty bastard that's for sure.

When Ethan threatened to expose my illness over his damn cousin, I was furious at lann. Thought he'd sold me out. But then I realized... he hadn't taken sides.

He stayed neutral because, as he put it, "I take my career very seriously."

He didn't betray me. Which left one question:

Who the hell did?

It couldn't have been Leah. If anything, that secret is the only thing keeping me tethered to her. Why burn her leverage?

"You're a shitty host." I mutter.

"I'm not hosting anything. Besides, this is a hospital office and not a pub. Also, you're supposed to stay away from alcohol!"

"It's not for me," I say. "It's for my tired body. Help it out."

lann lets out a breathy laugh, shaking his head as he walks over to the corner cabinet.

"You're unbelievable, you know that?"

"Frequently told," I mutter, kicking off my shoes and letting my head fall back against the couch. The room spins slightly. Or maybe that's just my brain short- circuiting again.

A few seconds later, I hear the soft clink of glass. I lift my head just enough to see him setting down a bottle of whiskey and a tumbler in front of me.

He doesn't say anything at first. Just watches me.

Waiting.

I ignore the look, pop the cap off the bottle, and pour myself a generous amount. The liquid catches the light, smooth and golden.

I down it in one go.

It burns.

Good.

"Want to tell me what's got you spiraling this time?" he asks casually, leaning against his desk like he's got all the time in the world.

just shake my head,

brow. "Is it the engagement? Or the kid? Or

The glass pauses mid-air.

And that's answer enough.

mutters, almost to himself. "Should've

don't know what you're talking

he mocks me with air quotes, "For the body

I don't respond.

just drown the second glass,

Then the third.

stretches between us like

of them. All crammed in my chest, clawing to

swallow them down with another

from the

straightens. "I'm driving you

say, grabbing

just slightly. "You brought him with

He came after I had

him.

me to the elevator in silence,

tense like he wants to say something but

press the button, and we wait. The hallway is too quiet. Hospitals always feel like they're

step inside and turn

I

to talk, I'll

I tell half a lie. "I just need a second. Or

head as he pulls me into a brotherly hug

before turning to face the bastard

move one floor when there

the doors slide open

And she steps in.

Athena.

a soft cream blouse tucked into black jeans, her long black hair loose around her

she sees me, then narrow like she wishes

button

darling, I feel the

curse under my breath and look away,

the universe would pull

saying a word, the air in

with a quiet

The silence between us?

Violent.

lean against the wall, arms crossed, watching

lights go out," I say, breaking

ever step foot in an elevator