"Listen, I'm not sure what type of toxic relationship you went through before we met or how hot you thought that bold protective act was," he started bluntly, stepping towards Kane who started to push himself from the floor, "but that's not how you're going to act if you ever want a chance of being with me."

Kane rolled his eyes after a scoff. "How are you going to do that in front of my face?"

"What the fuck do you mean Kane, I was there before you!" Robby instantly inhaled a sharp breath, closing his eyes for a second and shaking his head. He was not one to be angry and he didn't like being angry, but screaming was never a sign of healthy friendship or relationship. After a deep breath, he faced Kane again and said, "Regardless of whether I was there first or not, that's not how you should have acted."

Although Kane knew he was in the wrong, his drunken mind was stubborn enough to cross his arms and tilted his head. "I wasn't going to let that happen in front of me."

Robby sighed, knowing that this conversation was not one to have drunk. "There are healthy ways you go about this, Kane. You could have came up to me and asked to talk, then we would have a conversation privately instead of you causing a scene not only in front of Sierra but in front of everybody."

"I told you it annoys me—!"

"And you also said that this wasn't what you wanted." Robby snapped, his brows deeply furrowed that he no longer had any patience. "You can't pick and choose when you want me and when you don't. You said no and I let it go, that doesn't mean I won't fancy anyone else."

"I never said that you can't."

Robby shook his head, "You're acting that way—you pulled her off from me."

"I see that as helping you—"

"Get over the little crush you have on me." He was being harsh but he needed to let it out because not only had Kane embarrassed him, but it showed a lack of respect Robby didn't want to experience anymore. He wasn't anybody's toy to show on display, he was a human being who wanted to feel wanted to but not in this way. "Get over it. You're acting like an immature little kid and don't tell me it's because your drunk because if that's how you act whenever you're drunk then you shouldn't be drinking in the first place."

Kane was taken aback, widening his eyes at that comment. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me Kane," he retorted, stepping towards him. He leaned towards his face, almost close enough to fell each other's breaths. But his eyes remained dark as he spat, "I'm done with this conversation. Now I'm going to Sierra's and I'm going to make her moan so loud that you'll hear it from your house and wish it was you."

***

Although he tried to ignore the circulating thoughts from ruining his relationship, he couldn't. He wanted to know if they were true, and ever since it had been said to him, he tried to stop his mind from expelling them onto her but he had to. He had to know the truth not only for himself but to know what he was again getting himself into. He knew the playoffs party was happening tonight but there was no way he would head there after what he had done. Thankfully, she had agreed to miss the party and meet with him at a restaurant, where they sat in a booth secluded in the back. She noticed the gloom on his face the moment she arrived, dropping her coat onto the edge of the seat and leaning forward for a peck that was not reciprocated.

Ava sat across from him, patting down the dress on her thighs before raising her eyes and meeting his gaze. There was something on his mind and she knew it—Jay had a way of saying things without saying them. His eyes would shift rapidly, even his pupils would dilate in a strange way. His finger would start tapping on its own, something he didn't even realize he was doing until he was pulled out from his rushing thoughts. But only a few times had he seen in start biting the inside of his cheek, which meant that he was seriously in distress from his thoughts. This time he was, and she knew what was coming could make or break their relationship.

It had been going well for the few weeks that had gone by; Jay seemed to have reopened his trust to her and they were more intimate than they had been before. He was the perfect man for her, bringing her presents out of the blue or even planning spontaneous dates or hangouts that she would have never done if it wasn't for him. This was a man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with; she saw the married and having children together. This was what she wanted and had ever since they met.

She was the one to speak first, breaking the intense silence that seemed to create a distance between them. "How was your day babe?"

Jay shrugged his shoulders. "Fine."

He knew when to bring up certain subjects they had to take about in a conversation, but he always waited until they were chatting to do so. Today, she didn't want that to happen and bluntly asked, "What's on your mind?"

Jay tilted his head, stretching his neck slightly before straightening his spine and crossing his fingers on the table. He seemed to need a bit of courage to admit what had been on his mind, which was why she added, "You can tell me anything."

The next line made her heart skip a beat. "Do you promise to be honest?"

She wasn't sure where this was going but she didn't want to doubt him even more. "Of course my love."

He sighed, clearing his throat before he finally admitted, "Kane and I spoke the other day."

Ava shook her head, knowing this conversation was turning sour and one she didn't want to have. But she had to be supportive and raised an eyebrow, "About?"

Jay paused for a moment, noticing how collected she was, as if nothing could ever faze her. He studied her gaze when he sternly said, "He told me that you came onto him first and that was why he decided to trick you into showing me that you were unfaithful."

Ava gasped, "What?" She was at a lost for words, unsure whether to be saddened that Jay had find that out or angry towards Kane for admitting that after their relationship had been running well. But that wasn't the answer Jay was looking for, and when she noticed his eyes narrowed, she glanced elsewhere and tugged a strand of her hair behind her ear. This wasn't what he had expected diner to be like and she didn't want to leave this restaurant single and alone, losing the man she truly loved.

Jay had no patience and leaned forward. "Is that true?"

She knew better than to lie to him, since the lie from last time cost her entire heart to shatter into pieces when she saw the way his face contorted with such horrific sadness. That was why she inhaled a sharp breath before closing her eyes and slowly nodding, afraid of what the expression behind his gaze would be.

After a few minutes, waiting for a reply, she decided to peak and couldn't help but take a second glance.

Jay was gone.

She glanced towards the exit and saw him heading for the door. Her heart started to race as she saw her entire future walk away from her, and she grabbed her jacket before jumping to her feet as well, rushing after him. She only reached him outside a few feet away from his car. "Jay, come on, wait please!"

"It's alright Ava." He didn't seem angry at all when he turned back. "Have a good night."

"Jay, let's at least talk about this." He didn't seem sad either, as if he had expected the answer to be yes. "We can get through this together."

"Actually, we can't Ava." He pulled open his car door and smiled at her. "I'm not mad at you at all. You'll find someone that loves you."

When she heart that, she swore everything around her blurred and only Jay stood clear. All rushing through her mind was the memories she had cherished and never wanted to let slip away. The more they spent time together, the more she realized that he was a masterpiece; even during their intimate moments he was gentle and loving, as if his entire body was melting against hers. Around others, she found it adorable how shy he was, but he never failed to burst into joy when he played pool, a sudden gleam stretching his face.

Those were all aspects of their relationship she was not ready to let go. "We can't end on this," she pleaded, attempting to reach for him and gasping when he dodged her touch as if she was disgusting. "Jay, please—" her voice began to quiver, but that didn't even cause Jay's blank stare to twitch.

After a short pause, he exhaled a long sigh before ending on, "Ava, we're done."