The Bet That Broke Us

Mia

What can I really say about unrequited love? Life has never been fair to people like me, the ones who love too deeply. Sometimes, silence is easier than confessing a love that might never be accepted.

A best friend, that’s all I’ve ever been to Maxello Aubrey. I doubt he ever noticed the way I looked at him when he wasn’t looking.

Stupid one-sided love!

What could be more painful than falling for your best friend and then watching him go crazy over another girl, now his girlfriend, someone who doesn’t even see his worth?

And me? I’m just the “best friend,” the one who comforts him every time his relationship falls apart.

That’s my life right now. I took a deep breath and rang his doorbell. It hadn’t even been a few seconds before he opened the door, like he’d been waiting for me.

Of course he had, he already called me, crying on the phone, saying he caught Harper kissing another man.

So here I am, running to him like I always do. The door opened, and there he was…shirtless in just his shorts. His toned body and six-pack were right in front of me and his red-brown hair was messy, his eyes were swollen like he’d been crying.

I swallowed hard. How could he still look so good, even at his lowest? Who wouldn’t fall in love with a guy like him?

Our eyes met, and before I could think, he pulled me inside, then into his arms, burying his face in my neck.

“Max, what are you doing?” I asked, even though I already knew. He wanted comfort. And I wanted this too… his bare chest pressed against me and sent shivers down my spine.

“Can we stay like this please! ” His hoarse voice broke against my neck, warm breath brushing against my skin.

He sounded so broken and there was no way I could push him away, especially not when he needed me the most.

We stood there in silence, his arms heavily wrapped around my back. For a moment, I wish the time could freeze but reality crept in and I pulled back slowly before guiding him to the couch, where he sat down, his shoulders slouched.

“I’ll get you some water. ” I murmured, slipping away before my heart betrayed me.

His house was like a second home to me. I knew every corner, every drawer, every misplaced item just as he knew mine. It was the kind of closeness people envied.

Yet, for me, it was torture. I returned with a glass of water and sat beside him, my knees brushing his.

“Have you been drinking?” I asked softly.

His green eyes, those eyes that could undo me with just one look, lifted to mine.

He didn’t answer, just took the glass from my hand and drained it in one gulp. I took it back and placed it gently on the table.

“Do you think I'm not good enough for her? ” He suddenly asked.

Not good enough? I almost laughed. I’m here dying for you, Max, and you can’t even see it. Only a blind bat wouldn’t see your worth. Harper has always been a bitch. I never liked her, and she hates me too. The feeling is mutual.

“Of course not. Nothing is wrong with you. Harper’s just too blind to see how much you love her,” I said, but he still looked unconvinced.

So I leaned forward, desperate to make him believe. “She doesn’t deserve you, Max. She has no idea how lucky she is to have you. You’re everything a girl could ever dream of.”

That finally drew a smile from him, but it faded just as quickly as it appeared.

“How would you know that?” His eyes locked onto mine, searching for something I couldn’t give. My heart raced. I tore my gaze away from him before he saw the truth buried inside me.

“Come on, I have eyes for good men,” I muttered, standing up and he let out a low chuckle.

“That explains why you’re still single at twenty-two.” he said, not caring how much those words stung.

Yeah, single at twenty-two. Because I’ve been waiting for him. Waiting for Harper to mess up, for him to finally see me the way I see him. I’ve never wanted anyone the way I want Maxello.

I brushed the thought aside when I noticed him drifting again. I had to cheer him up.

“How about we go to the bar? Drink, dance, and shake it off,” I suggested, watching him. “My shift starts at ten. We can have fun till then. I promise you’ll feel better.”

I gave him my pleading eyes, the only trick that ever worked on him.

“Fine,” he sighed in defeat, he knew I wasn't going to give up if he didn't.

I grinned and held out my hand. He frowned until he realized what I wanted.

“You drank. I’m driving,” I said, shaking my palm expectantly.

He shrugged and dropped the keys into my hand before disappearing upstairs to change. My eyes followed him despite myself. His broad shoulders and the strong line of his back, the way his body moved even when weary.

It was unfair how perfect he was. I scolded myself for staring, but my body betrayed me every time.

★

The moment I stepped into the bar with Maxello, I felt the familiar rush. The bar was alive with loud music and flashing colored lights.

“What’s up, Bruno?” I shouted over the noise as I slid into a seat at the counter.

He glanced at me while serving a drink. “Shift time?”

“Nope. Came to cheer a friend,” I said, pushing the glasses forward.

He nodded, filling them up, but when I turned, Max was gone.

Panic tightened in my chest as I searched through the crowd. And finally, I spotted him in a dim corner where the music didn’t reach. He wasn’t alone.

Harper was with him. When did she get here?

The two hadn't noticed me until I got to them. She saw me first. Max’s back was to me, so he didn’t notice.

“Do you have any explanation for what you did yesterday?” His voice was calm but every word dripped with hurt.. One look at Harper told me she wasn’t sorry.

I didn’t know he was going to kiss me,” she lied easily.

“But you kissed him back. ” Maxello's betrayed voice came almost like a whisper, I know how much it hurts to love someone and not have the energy returned.

Then Harper’s eyes flicked to me, “How about you? How many times have you cheated on me with your best friend?”

Even Maxello’s head snapped up in shock. Cheating? With me? Ridiculous. Yes, I wanted him, prayed for them to break up, but I’d never planned to be the reason.

“She’s always with you. Sometimes I wonder who you really love, me or her.” She sniffled fake tears, and I knew she was reeling him in again.

I wanted to laugh. She knew exactly what she was doing. Harper knew Max’s weakness…her tears, and she wielded them like a weapon.

“Harper, stop.” His voice cut in. “Mia is just a friend. I’d never cheat on you with her. I don’t even see her as a woman.”

And just like that, my heart shattered.

Years of waiting, of hoping, and that’s what I get…I don’t even see her as a woman.

“Of course you don't see her as a woman, but tell me, why is she always with you, babysitting you like a puppy?” She asked again.

The hatred she had for me was visible in her tone.

“She follows me around because she has no one, I just feel pity for her that's why I let her stay with me most times. ” He stated and I couldn't believe my ears.

Did he just say that? Does he pity me? I tried so much to control the tears threatening to fall.

Harper’s smile said it all, her lips curled into a victorious smile, before she leaned in, closing the gap, and kissed him right there in front of me.

Max didn’t push her away. He cupped her face, whispering softly, “You’re my girlfriend. I’ll always put you first. Mia can never replace you in my heart.”

And just like that, every hope I’d held on to turned to ash.

Right. I could never replace her. He was too blind to see the truth, too lost in her. That he even dared tell her he felt pity for me, he was right about me not having anyone but coming from Max is the least of what I expected.

“I just hope you’re forever happy with her,” I blurted before I could stop myself.

Both their heads turned. Maxello looked shocked, as he looked between me and Harper.

“Mia, I'm… .” Maxello made to speak but Harper sealed his lips with hers before he could say anything to me and he instinctively grabbed her waist… . kissing her deeply like he had been waiting for that moment all his life.

The tears I've been holding back fell to my cheeks and I wiped it immediately, as I walked away without looking back.