I'm Not The Only One (Scomiche)

8: Choice

“You say it’s over, leaving me so far from sober.”

Reminds Me Of You by Sam Smith

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Holy fucking lucifer did I hear that right?

"Broke up? As in... You're not together anymore?" I asked, still shocked at his news.

Scott furrowed his eyebrows a bit. "Yes, Mitch, we broke up. Done. Over."

Shit shit shit shit shit. "Are you trying to mess with me?" For some reason, even if it was what I've been waiting for for so long, I still couldn't believe it.

He widened his eyes at me. "This is not something I'd joke about."

He's telling the truth. Oh my god oh my god oh my god. "Baby... You're... I mean, we can... Finally..." I stuttered. I couldn't even ask the question but I knew he knew what I meant.

His features softened a little then he nodded in reply.

It's true. Holy shit it's true. "Oh my god, Scott!" I threw my arms around him and pulled him into an embrace. I've always imagined this moment, and now it was finally a reality.

Scott hugged me back and I let myself melt into his arms. But then the happiness was short lived because I still had so many questions in my head.

I pulled back and looked him in the eye. "Did... you break up with him or did he break up with you?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Does it matter? We're done. That's what's important."

I released him and took a deep breath. "It does to me, Scott."

"Why?"

It's stupid that I even have to explain. "Because, Scott, if you broke up with him, then I'd know that you chose me. The way you've been telling me you would. But if he broke up with you... I don't know if you're here with me now just because you no longer have options and I'm the only one you have."

Scott sighed and angled his body away and stared at the TV screen. He was silent for a few moments, long enough to make me fear the worst.

Goddamn. Alex left him.

My heart started sinking at the thought. Alex made the choice for him. He didn't even willingly choose me. My earlier happiness was rapidly being replaced with sadness at the realization. The familiar pain was back. I moved in my seat and started to stand up when Scott spoke up again.

"I left him," he whispered.

Wait. "What..?"

He slowly turned his head to me. "I left him, Mitch. I chose you."

I was stunned. I didn't quite know what to say so I reached for his hand and smiled weakly. "Baby..."

I saw his eyes dim before he looked away again. "What's his name?"

Who? "I'm sorry?"

"The guy from last night," he said plainly.

What is he talking about? "I don't follow."

"Did you sleep with him?" he sounded so hurt and at the same time as if he was trying hard to suppress his anger.

What in the fucking hell is he talking about? I pulled on his hand and he looked at me. "Back it up. I don't have a fucking clue what you're talking about."

He let go of my hand and reached for his phone on the coffee table. He opened it and a few seconds later held it up to me. "This guy."

I took the phone from him and looked closely at the photo. It was definitely me and it was taken from the bar last night. It was a little dark but it was a stolen shot of me laughing with some guy. I was seated down while he was standing up. He had dirty blonde hair and guessing by the photo, a few inches shorter than Scott. I remember talking to him.

I swiped and saw another photo. This time we were holding a shot glass each, toasting. I was grinning and so was he. My face was flushed and I was obviously drunk. Okay, this one I also remember… I think.

I raised my head and saw Scott just looking at me. Judging by his look there was obviously more. With unsteady fingers I swiped on the screen, and I was greeted with a photo of me on the dance floor. My head was thrown to the side, my hands were on either side of my neck, and I was smiling. I looked so... carefree. It didn't seem like I was dancing with anybody in particular but in front of me was dirty blonde guy again, also lost in his own world, eyes closed, hands raised above his head. I danced with him? Wasn’t I dancing with the girls?

If I swipe on this shit I better not see myself making out with him.

I nervously moved my finger and saw another photo of me and dirty blonde guy. My hands were on his chest while his rested on my waist. We were still on the dance floor and we both had our eyes closed... or maybe we were just looking down, it was hard to tell. But the grin on my face was hard to miss and so was the smile on his lips.

The pictures are getting worse. Please don't let there be more.

I tried swiping but that was the last of it. I lifted my head and saw Scott looking intently at me. Fuck. "I... I don't remember..."

He retrieved the phone from my hand and placed it back where he got it. "Does it matter? The photos don't lie."

"Who sent you those?" I already had a feeling, but I needed confirmation.

"Those were your snaps."

MY phone? I reached for my bag only to remember that my phone had been dead since I woke up. "Wait... Let me explain... I..."

"You said you don't even remember. How can you explain?" His voice was rising and the tone had more anger.

I shook my head as if that would help my brain get some of my memories back. "Baby... You know I won't do that to you..." I said in an attempt to defend myself.

"Mitch, you and I both know what alcohol does to you," he said before standing up.

I didn't want to admit it to myself but what he said was true. Alcohol, on more than one occasion, has made me done things which I eventually regretted. Last night could have been one of those nights. But the girls would’ve stopped me, right? Before I did something profoundly stupid?

I watched Scott's retreating back and my mind raced. The "we-broke-up" conversation did a 360, and it did not go how I imagined it would at all. When he was almost at his bedroom door a thought occurred to me.

"Did the photos have anything to do with your break-up with Alex?"

He stopped in his tracks. I saw him take a deep breath before he replied, his back still to me. "I chose you, Mitch." With that he opened his door and disappeared into his bedroom.