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.

my head,

engagement? Or the kid?

The glass pauses mid-air.

And that's answer enough.

almost to himself.

what you're talking about." I

mocks me with air quotes,

I don't respond.

drown the second glass,

Then the third.

between us like an old

them. All crammed in my chest, clawing to be

down with another glass

up from the couch, wiping a hand across

"I'm

I say, grabbing

slightly. "You brought

He came after I

nods once, no more questions. That's the thing about him. He

me to the elevator in silence, hands shoved into his

tense like he wants to say something but knows

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

step inside and

man!" I

When you're ready to

a lie. "I just need a second. Or a hundred."

shakes his head as he pulls me into a brotherly hug before pushing me into the

face the bastard

move one floor when there is a soft

doors slide

And she steps in.

Athena.

black jeans, her long black hair loose around

she sees me, then narrow like she wishes

the button and disappear

darling, I feel the

my breath and look away, clenching my

would pull this shit

word, the air in the elevator shifting with

doors shut with a quiet

The silence between us?

Violent.

wall, arms crossed, watching the

the lights go out," I say, breaking the

ever step foot in