Soar With Me (✔️)

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐰𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐲-𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞

Warren

"You did what?!" Connor screams at me, the sound echoing throughout his apartment. The apartment itself wasn't any less luxurious than mine, but it had a minimal design and was decorated with swaths of rich colors and somewhat odd abstract paintings.

"I've told you twice already." My eyes roll in agitation.

"I know I just...wow shit's getting bad for you." After a beat, he asks, "Are you okay?"

"I'm not. She's going on a date with Noah fucking West. What do you expect, Connor?" There's an edge in my voice, all my frustration seeping out.

"I expect you to drink this night away and think about this in the morning with a fresh mind."

Scoffing at his stupid suggestion I quaff whiskey and welcome the scorching burn of it as it slips down my throat. "Our plan isn't working, C."

"You called me C. You never call me C unless you're fucking depressed."

"I am not depressed. I don't get depressed."

"Newsflash, no one is immune to depression. Anyone can get it. In fact, the strongest people get it the hardest." Connor tosses back his bourbon and then grimaces at the bitter taste.

"Perhaps," I mutter, hating the way alcohol begins to numb my sadness.

"Look, she's heartbroken. It takes time to heal a broken heart, Ren. You can't expect her to get into bed with you."

I shoot him a glare.

"Not the sexy kind, idiot. See, this is what happens when you don't get fucked. Your mind thinks about sex in everything. I'd be flying pancakes and you'd be thinking of slapping asses or dripp-"

"Your tongue is getting dirtier. I wonder what mama Taya will think."

Taya Lane is the one who gave birth to my extremely non-serious friend twenty-seven years ago in a shed. A strange place to be conducting a delivery but apparently William, Connor's dad, and Taya were on a vacation in a remote area to get away from the busy life of the city. I'm sure they were questioning their choices during labor. Anyhow Taya pulled it off, miraculously, and had a normal baby—which is questionable sometimes.

Since Connor is an only child his mom loves me like another son and treats me with utter respect and love, whilst Connor is at the receiving end of her scoldings. Their dynamic is like a seesaw but their bond is so pure and good.

"She'll spank my ass."

I smile. "And cut off your balls," I add and his face pales.

After a moment of silence, he recovers and fixes his gaze on mine.

"Healing is a long process, Ren. Especially from a heartbreak. It takes time to trust someone again let alone the same person. I'm not picking sides. I'll always be your best friend and carry your cross. But right now, I'm gonna take her side."

"Why?"

"Because she's moving on from all the pain you caused her. Yes, you're back in her life but she doesn't owe it to you to be with you. In my opinion, this date is an experiment to see where things go with a guy that isn't you. Or maybe she's finally gotten the closure she needed for the past ten years."

"How do you know all of this?"

"I've told you about Stacie and how she broke my heart."

I nod.

"Why do you think I have loads of sex?"

"You have a wild sex drive."

Connor gives me the middle finger and pours himself another drink. "I can't do commitments. Especially after I got my heart broken. That shit destroys you, man. And the fact she cheated on me hurts even more."