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,

"Is it the engagement? Or the kid? Or

The glass pauses mid-air.

And that's answer enough.

so," lann mutters, almost to himself. "Should've

you're talking about." I say

drinking" he mocks me with air quotes, "For the

I don't respond.

just drown the second glass,

Then the third.

between us

thousand of them. All crammed in my chest,

them down

the couch, wiping a hand across

"I'm

say, grabbing my coat. "Ryan's

slightly.

came after

no more questions. That's the thing about him. He doesn't push when he knows I'm

walks me to the elevator in silence, hands shoved into his coat

tense like he wants to say something but

hallway is too quiet. Hospitals always feel like

doors slide open, I step

man!" I

to talk,

lie. "I just need a second. Or a

head as he pulls me into a brotherly hug before pushing me

face the bastard but the doors start to

move one floor when

the doors slide

And she steps in.

Athena.

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

me, then narrow like she wishes she

the button and disappear

I feel

breath and look

course, the universe would pull this shit

steps in without saying a word, the air in

with a quiet

The silence between us?

Violent.

crossed, watching

lights go out," I say, breaking the

ever step foot in