🔞I May be Falling in Love // Hwang Hyunjin🔞

🖤Chapter 21🖤

⚠Trigger Warning - Mentions of alcohol abuse/verbal abuse⚠

Sudden knocks at Harley's front door make us both stand to our feet and pace towards the sound. Harley opens the door and there appears Cole. He is holding one of my large tote bags which has been stuffed with some of my clothes and overnight necessities. He doesn't seem happy at all though as a fake smile spreads across his lips while Harley takes the bag from his hands.

"Harley, is it okay if Cole and I have a word?" I ask and Harley nods before walking off to his room and closing the door behind him. I gesture Cole to come inside and we both take a seat on the couch.

"I need to tell you something." I begin and Cole tilts his head to look at me. He doesn't say anything so I continue, "Harley and I decided to make it official..."

"You have got to be kidding me?" Cole interrupts while standing up. "Don't you see? He's just going to hurt you."

"Cole, you should be happy for me. You said that he seems genuinely happy with me." I snap while also standing.

"I know I said that, but you should really ask Harley about his ex." Cole says in an angry tone and walks out the door, slamming it behind him without saying goodbye.

I sigh and sit back on the couch, bringing my knees to my chest.

I hear the bedroom door open as Harley walks out and notices the silence in the room. "I'm guessing he didn't take it well."

"Harley, just tell me what happened with your ex. It's clearly bothering Cole and I hate seeing him like this." I yell, demanding for a truthful answer.

Harley sighs and he looks down as he fidgets with his hands. "Are you sure you want to know?"

"Yes, tell me everything." I reassure, taking his hands in mine.

"I was eighteen when I had my first proper girlfriend and we were together for three years. Everything went downhill once I discovered alcohol." He stops to take a deep breath while looking at me to proceed. I nod and he continues, "I was an alcoholic; I was severely fucked up. My ex wanted nothing to do with me and tried getting me the help I needed but I refused and that's when things worsened. I began to verbally abuse her and then cheat on her. I used sex as a coping mechanism for how fucked up I was."

Harley stops and begins to cry. I had a feeling this is what happened but I know he is trying to rebuild himself, he seems truly disgusted in himself. I can't help but start to cry at the truth, not because I felt hurt by everything but I felt sorry that I wasn't with him at the time to help.

"That's when I got into physical fights with any guy my ex talked to and then I got sentenced to six months in prison and that's where I met Finn, he was training at the time to be a police officer."

I remember Finn taking that course, he always wanted to be an officer before a teacher but he was heartbroken when they said he didn't have the potential.

I move closer to Harley and softly smile. "I'm glad you're telling me all of this." I say and Harley wipes the tears that fell on his cheeks.

"Finn and I got really close and then that's how I was introduced to Cole and the rest of the friend group, I was lucky that I already knew Chris since we used to go to school together so he understands the situation a lot better. Ever since I told everything to the group, Cole never really liked me."

"What about Finn? Don't you guys hate each other now." I question.

"Yeah that was because I started dating his ex-girlfriend which I didn't know at the time, so when he found out, he lost his mind thinking history would repeat itself. Finn started to tell everyone he could about me and destroyed any chance of happiness that I could have." He finishes and I wrap my arms around his shoulders for a hug.

"If you don't mind me asking, how come you still drink?"

"I'm fine with drinking after going to rehab and seeing a psychologist, I learned to control everything and now I'm recovered so I only have a drink on special occasions or take small amounts. I was lucky enough that I was able to get a job at the school despite my past due to Chris." A smile shows up on his face.

Everything all makes sense now. I get why Cole hates Harley but Cole should be more happy than angry that Harley is finally back on track and feels happier now, just like he said.

"Thank you for telling me everything, I really appreciate it." I thank him and give him a peck on the lips.

"You're not mad at me?" He asks, shocked.

"No, it was years ago and I truly believe you are happier now, if you ever go back into that state I won't leave your side, I will help you."

"Thank you." He says and leans in to hug me. I give him a kiss on the cheek while embracing into the hug, making sure he is comfortable.

Despite all this information hitting me like a brick, I feel sorry for Harley. I know that if I was that girl he did those horrible things to I wouldn't be able to forgive him but that doesn't seem like Harley. I simply cannot picture him in that type of scenario, it hurts my heart to think of it.

Harley ended up going for a little sleep which gave me time to adjust to news I had been told. I even start thinking about reaching out to his ex to find out her side of things or even Finn's ex but it just seems to dangerous to get involved. I sigh, wondering what I should do so I message Cole.

"Hey, can we call? It's about Harley."

Within a few seconds, he replied. "Sure just give me a moment."

I wait for the phone to ring and I don't hesitate to swipe the call button as soon as my phone lights up.

"Hey, I spoke to Harley and he told me everything." I try to whisper in case I wake up Harley.

"Everything? He told you about the drinking, how he cheated and abused his ex, and served jail time?"

"Yes, Cole, everything." I roll my eyes.

"Wow, I didn't think he had the balls to do it." Cole laughs but notices the silence coming from me. "I'm sorry. I'm glad he told you."

"Yeah, I'm thinking of contacting his ex..."

"Don't you dare even think about that, she's crazy." Cole interrupts with a stern voice.

"How so?" I question while walking towards the right side of the house that leads to the backyard which I have not yet seen.

"She has kind of never gotten over Harley which made it extremely toxic for both of them, so if you contact her, she will try everything in her power to win him back."

'So it's one of these scenarios, great.' I think to myself as I finish the conversation agreeing to not contact her and saying my goodbyes to Cole.

After ending the call I step outside and realise Harley's backyard is HUGE. There's a little outdoor swing set up just outside the door with a round table next to it. I walk a bit further and find myself walking down a slight hill where I can see the underside of the living room and the windows that look out to the town. Underneath the house was a pool, a simple rectangular pool, and next to it was a small fire place surrounded by chairs. I look over to the other side to see a square hot tub that could easily fit six people. The hot tub had the perfect spot to enjoy the view and all I could picture is Harley and I enjoying a glass of wine while sitting in the hot tub or pool with music playing which causes a smile to spread across my lips.

"Audrey?" I hear Harley's voice behind me.