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.

shake my

brow. "Is it the engagement? Or the

The glass pauses mid-air.

And that's answer enough.

lann mutters, almost to himself. "Should've

what you're talking about."

mocks me with air quotes,

I don't respond.

the

Then the third.

stretches between us like

there are words. A thousand of them. All crammed in my chest, clawing to

I swallow them down with

myself up from the couch, wiping a hand

"I'm

grabbing my coat. "Ryan's

softens just slightly. "You brought him

came after I had

nods once, no more questions. That's the thing about him. He doesn't push when he

elevator in silence, hands shoved into

like he wants to say something but

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

open, I step

I say

When you're ready to

half a lie. "I just need a second.

me into a brotherly hug before pushing me into

before turning to face the

one floor when there is a

doors slide open

And she steps in.

Athena.

blouse tucked into black jeans, her long

sees me, then narrow like she wishes she

button

I feel the

under my breath and look away,

universe would

saying a word, the air in the elevator shifting

shut with a

The silence between us?

Violent.

against the wall, arms crossed, watching the numbers

go out,"

ever step foot in an