Not Like Before

Chapter 22

Mature language
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Chandler's POV

I was helping Payton with her homework when someone knocked on the door.

I answered it to see Bradley, angry looking and sweating with his greasy hair plastered to his forehead.

"Can I help you?" I ask, really not in the mood for any of his bullshit.

"Your ex girlfriend is a piece of work I just wanna let you know." He says and pushes past me into the house.

"Sure, come in." I mumble and roll my eyes.

I close the door and when I turn around he's pacing around like a maniac, biting his nails.

"Dude what's your problem? First fight?" I ask.

He scoffs.

"Yeah I thought so, then she dumped me!" He says and sits next to Payton on the couch.

"Um...who are you?" Payton asks, math book still in hand. He didn't notice her.

"Oh I'm Bradley, Chandlers friend." He says. Yeah I wouldn't really go that far but it's okay, he seems upset.

"She broke up with you?" I ask and sit down.

"Yes! I don't know what's up dude, she's crazy I guess. I literally hinted- just hinted that some of the stuff Haleigh was saying might have some truth to it. I wasn't calling her a-" He started ranting, stopping when he noticed Payton was listening.

"A you know what!" He finished.

What do I even say to that?

"You believe Haleigh though?" I ask. He looks frustrated.

"I-no dude, I didn't say that! That's not what I told her." He says and sits back down.

"Okay I get that's not what you told her, so tell me. Do you believe Haleigh?" I ask again. It's a pretty simple question.

"I-...okay yes. I believe some of the stuff Haleigh says because some of it makes sense okay? Like that abortion thing. Don't you think it's a little weird for her to just -come back like that? Like it's a pretty plausible reason don't you think?" He explains.

Bro what the hell? This day just keeps getting better and better.

He's looking at me frantically, desperate for validation that he isn't in the wrong and I can't help myself, I laugh.

"Okay I think it's time for you to go. Thanks for stopping by!" I say and go to the door, he follows, thank God.

"Wait! Okay forget what I said about the abortion, you gotta help me get her back!" He begs.

"Not gonna happen, sorry!" I say and go to open the door, but he grabs my arm and I flinch involuntarily.

"C'mon man please!" He begs more. Damn, he is so pathetic and annoying and what the hell? I'm an asshole anyways.

"I said no! I shouldn't have even helped you in the first place. She deserves someone who actually cares about her, not someone who believes lies about her." I roll my eyes and his face falls.

"I care about her." He mumbles and looks away.

"Do you though? You don't even care to get to know her, everything you know about her I told you!" I push further.

"Okay I get it I was a terrible boyfriend who didn't deserve her! Happy?" He says.

Yes, I am. That is quite true.