OWEN

It's been a while since I went out with a buddy to enjoy something I like. I scored baseball tickets and invited my neighbor Scott who seemed eager to get out of his wife's sight for a while.

Clara is sleeping over at a friend's house for the weekend and that's when reality gave me a check for the first time. Awkwardness felt short of what I felt when I told her friend's mom that Ciara is pregnant and to call me if she doesn't feel well. Luckily, she didn't make a big issue out of it and promised to keep an eye on her.

Scott and I say goodbye after walking out of the stadium with the massive crowd, and as I head to my car, I see Sean. What did my daughter ever see in that arrogant prick? I keep my eyes locked on him the whole time. He seems to be walking towards the same parking area I am.

The adrenaline rushes through my veins. I don't know where this asshole lives, but I'm about to find out. He gets in a red car which makes it even easier to follow him and I take my time getting out of my spot to avoid making it too obvious.

After driving for a good 20 minutes, he slows down and parks next to a familiar building. I've searched for Ciara in this place before.

"SEAN!" I yell and leave my car running in the middle of the street.

He turns around slowly and rolls his eyes when he sees me.

"Oh, for fuck's sake! What do you want now? Ciara and I are not dating anymore."

"You got Ciara pregnant."

His eyes widen with disbelief and his booming laughter echoes in the buildings around.

"You seriously think I knocked her up?"

"In fact, I do."

"Listen, man, your daughter is cute and everything, and I have to admit that she was a good fuck. But no way in hell the kid is mine."

I keep my fists on my sides to control the fury I feel at his disrespectful comment about my daughter.

"And why is that?" I ask.

"Have you ever seen Ciara drunk? She flirts with everything that has a pulse! Becomes a hugger, even with strangers. I will not be responsible for her slutty behavior. She's probably been with tons of other guys besides me."

Before I can reason, my fist connects with his face. He tumbles backwards and when he regains his balance, he lunges at me. We roll on the floor exchanging punches, anger fueling me. He gets me good in the ribs, but I hit him back on his nose. The crunching sound is like music to my ears, until he splits my lip with a hard punch. Ciara's image with a split lip fills my head and I only want to hurt him even more.

A crowd has gathered around us, and suddenly I feel arms around my body separating me away from that worthless piece of shit. My whole body feels sore, and I see blood on my shirt, yet I'm not sure who does it belong to. Sean's eye is swelling from the shiner I gave him and his nose bleeds copiously. I shake myself away from the two guys holding me.

"This was your chance to own up to your responsibility. I want you to stay away from my daughter for the rest of your existence, or I will give you more than a fucking black eye," I point at him threateningly.

I get back in my car and take a quick look at myself in the mirror as I drive away. A large cut takes most of the bridge of my nose, and my lip is swelling. I will have a lot of trouble hiding these injuries, and a lot of explaining to do at the studio tomorrow.

ZACK

The elevator seems to be taking forever as it makes its way up to Kaley's apartment or maybe I'm impatient about spending time with her. Once at her floor, I let myself in with the spare key and find her in the kitchen.

My stomach makes a happy somersault when I see she's making pizza sticks, a treat she reserved for special moments when we were roommates. She's also dressed like in old times; a faded pink hoodie, black leggings and mismatched fuzzy socks, her wild curls tied back at the nape of her neck.

I bring my arms around her waist and place my chin on her shoulder.

"How many times do I have to tell you I don't enjoy your pointy chin? Here, have this," she wiggles out of my embrace and feeds me a piece of pizza.

"Oh fuck! That is hot!" I fan my mouth, but it makes no difference.

"That's usually how things come out of an oven," she teases me while getting a bottle of soda from her fridge. "What have you got for us?"

"A rom-com, an anime and a bunch of delicious crap."

She pulls the snacks out of the bag and looks doubtful, but opens the packaging and serves them in bowls. We bring our bounty to the couch where she has placed blankets and pillows, just like the teenage sleepovers we had long ago. Besides our usual chips, popcorn, chocolate and pizza, she also has prepared a plate with cut up fruit, cheese, and wheat crackers.

"You like on a diet or something?" I ask as she picks grapes over her usual chocolate.

"Trying to eat healthier," she sits on the couch and covers herself with a blanket.

We start the movie and cuddle. If she only knew how much I love her. I've missed spending time with her like this. No other girl will ever replace her or make me feel the way she does.

"Kaley..." I clear my throat as I feel that my heart is beating dangerously close to it.

"Yeah?" She turns her head towards me.

This is the moment. That's what I tell myself as I cup her face and give her a deep kiss, hoping it makes her feel everything I have inside my heart. After a moment, I realize that Kaley hasn't kissed me back and I open my eyes to find her giving me a shocked look.

"Zack... What... Why?" She whispers.

"Because I'm in love with you. Since our first day of art class in high school. I have loved you through all the shit we have been through together. I've loved you even more since we kissed in college, even when I denied feeling anything for you. I have always been crazy about you and hoped you felt the same for me."

Kaley stands up and walks away to her bedroom. I stare at my lap, feeling embarrassed. Elvam warned me about the possibility of rejection, but I didn't want to believe it could happen.

I won't give up, can't give up. Unless she says she hates me, there will always be a chance that she changes her mind. I walk inside her bedroom and find her sitting at the edge of the bed, wiping tears with the back of her hands.

"Please, tell me you feel something, anything for me."

"Zack... I- I can't love you the way you love me," she says between sniffles.

"What did I do wrong?"

"Nothing! I'm thankful you are my best friend, but I don't have other kind of feelings for you."

Best friend, a stupid fool is what I am for not making a move earlier.

"Are you seeing someone?"

Kaley doesn't respond and only nods.

"You have kept the secret well hidden. I could have made you happy too," I turn and walk towards the door.

"Zack, please don't leave. Let's talk about this..." I hear her say behind me.

Distraction, that's what I need. Once outside her apartment I pat my pockets until I find what I'm looking for. I swallow the small pill and take a deep breath to calm myself down and clean my tears before calling the elevator.

KALEY

This is surreal. One moment we are watching a movie and next thing I know he's kissing me. Why now? We've known each other for what feels like a lifetime and only now he admits to his feelings. Besides the shock to my mind, sorrow filled my heart because I could feel the love, frustration and hope in his kiss. I never saw myself as the protagonist of a romance in which a woman must choose between two men. My feelings for him have always been clear; Zack is my best friend, my brother.

Lost about what to do next, I dig my phone out of my pocket and dial David's number. He answers on the second ring.

"Is everything okay?" He asks when I don't respond with my usual greeting.

"I- I don't know. Something weird happened..." A sniffle from my previous tears escapes me.

"Are you crying? Where is Zack? Did you guys argue again?"

"I wouldn't call it an argument. David, Zack kissed me and said he's in love with me. I told him I don't feel the same way, that he's my best friend. His expression changed, it scared me. He wasn't pissed..."

"Heartbroken, most likely. Did he leave?"

"He left after I admitted that I'm seeing someone. He doesn't know yet it's you. You were right about him. I misunderstood his interest and thought he was being protective. I only hope he'll be okay."

"Only time will tell."

"I need to clean up here first and then I'll go home."

"I'm sorry things didn't go as planned. We'll talk more when you come home. Nathan left a while ago. He sends you his thanks again."

After cleaning the food mess we left on the coffee table, I head downstairs and to my car. My apartment building doesn't feel like I belong there anymore, even less now with the memories of unrequited love attached to it.