Chapter 4

Brittany 

I picked up the pace as I walked back home, hitching up my bag on shoulder. Because I sat down with Leila, Brian got upset and pushed my closing time further until I missed the night bus.

Now, I had to spend the next two hours walking back home.

Urgh.

Hungry, tired and exhausted, I remembered something Mom used to say.

‘Whenever you feel like you can go on anymore, find the silver lining in your current situation’.

I tried but I can't seem to muster any gratitude for my current predicament.

Andre and Claire were the only things that made my days marginally better and with one move, I had alienated them both.

On my way home, I got to a junction which led to a bar that Claire and I used to visit whenever either of us needed a pick-me-up.

We liked it because it as close enough to my place and far away that most people didn't recognize her.

I hesitated in crossing the road, unsure if I should stop by.

One glance at my outfit didn't boost my morale either but I was too burnt out to care.

I did an about turn, walking up to the bar.

Since we were regulars, I grew familiar with the bouncer who smiled and waved me in the minute he saw me.

“Thank you.” I say to him, squeezing through the throng of people at the entrance.

Immediately I stepped through, I was assaulted by the smell of stale cigarettes, alcohol and sweat.

I stood still, causing people to slam into me while I searched around for Claire. I didn't spot her car in the parking lot but I just had to check.

“Hey bitch, move out of the fucking way!” A guy growled, pushing me aside.

I stumbled and nearly fell flat on my face, still searching. I was just about to give up when I caught a glimpse of her hair flashing through the crowd.

My heart jumped and I started to push through,my eyes firmly fixed on her.

“Claire!” I started shouting even though my voice was barely audible through the noise.

Finally, I was able to get close enough to grab her shoulder.

Instantly, she pushed my hand off, turning to face me. The frown on her face edged out into disbelief, recognition and then annoyance. “What the hell are you doing?!”

“Claire, I need to talk to you.” I moved closer but they had a barrier around the table that stopped me. “Please, you never returned any of my texts.”

“Who's that?” A brunette with flashy tights who looked half drunk yelled in Claire's face.

“Nobody.” Claire shrugged. “Come on, you wanna talk, let's go!”

She clamped down on my hand, far tighter than it was supposed to be and practically dragged me towards the restroom.

Compared to her impeccable make-up and dress, I looked like a tramp but what was more important to me, was out friendship.

Which I might have destroyed.

“I'm here, what do you have to say?” She folded her arms across her chest.

“I'm sorry. I know it's not what you want to hear but-”

“But what?” She stares at me, looking at me as if I was a stranger. “You've got some nerve, you know? Showing up here…”

“Why wouldn't I? This was our spot.” I say. “Besides I knew you'd be here and-”

I got cut off, watching as the brunette from earlier walks in mid conversation and whispers something into Claire's ear.

“Oops, sorry, our best friend drama is gonna have to wait.” Claire giggles, leaving with the brunette.

My mouth hung open but I couldn't even be mad as I kind of deserved it.

I chose to stand by the restroom in hopes that she'd come back again but ten minutes later, I felt stupid.

Walking back out the door, I looked right at the spot I’d seen her before and she was right there, throwing her head back to let out a peal of laughter.

My focus shifted from her to the man beside, noting that his figure was quite familiar.

Squinting, I moved to the side to catch a glimpse of the man only for Claire to jerk his head downward, planting an open-mouthed kiss on his lips.

When she moved away, that's when I saw his face and gasped.

Holy shit, that's my uncle!

My Mom had four siblings but only Uncle Mark was close to us, checking up on me constantly after she died while the rest pretended I didn't exist.

“Now we're even.” Claire looked straight at me and mouthed.

I felt sucker punched in the stomach, knowing that she would internationally try to hurt me by getting with my uncle.

My stomach churned with disbelief and sadness, the ache in my chest throbbing fiercely as she started to grind on his lap.

Suppressing a sob, I turned around and fled, running out of the club without looking back.

Even though I was in the wrong, I wasn't expecting her to retaliate in such manner.

On my way home, I reached out to Andre, tired of waiting for him to call me. “Hey, it's me…” I paused, resisting the urge to cry, my lower lip trembling. “I've been trying to call you but you're not picking up. Look, I've had a really shitty day and it's one of those days where I just need to talk to someone so….please call me back when you get this.”

I left several texts in addition to the voicemail but I didn't receive a call from him.

Not once.

However, the moment I stepped through the front door, my phone chimed with a message alert.

Thinking it was Andre, I dashed towards my bag that I'd dumped on the counter, flipping through it.

Instantly, my shoulders slumped in disappointment as I realised it wasn't him but someone else entirely.

The ID was blocked so I couldn't figure out who it was but the creepy messages they left behind sent a chill down my spine.

‘He doesn't love you’.

He's going to leave you like he did the others’.

But it's the last one that got me confused.

‘He's been lying to you…especially about someone you cared about.’

What the hell?