I'm Not The Only One (Scomiche)

16: Doubts

"Although you're right, can't get your thoughts in order."

I've Told You Now by Sam Smith

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"You're shitting me."

"Baby..." Scott reached out to me. "I wish I was but I'm not."

"That fucking bastard!" I growled. "I should've known he'd do something like this."

"Mitch," Scott tried to soothe me. "Maybe it was just coincidence? It's work and -"

"Are you stupid?" I cut him off. "Coincidence my ass. Alex definitely planned this. He wants you back!"

He released a sharp breath. "Let's say he did. It won't matter, Mitch. I don't want him back."

I looked him straight in the eye. "Don't you?"

Scott pulled back a couple of inches. "What's that supposed to mean?"

I knew it was the paranoia and fear in me talking. "You know what I mean," I retorted.

He released my hand and pulled further away from me. "No, Mitch, I don't fucking know what you mean." He haphazardly ran a hand through his hair. "Because as far as I am concerned, all I've done in the past few months was be the best boyfriend I can be. I've done nothing but try to prove to you that I am deserving of you, that I love you... That I want you. Have I failed, Mitch?"

The obvious hurt in his tone made me stop to think about what he said, and it only took a several seconds before I admitted to myself that Scott was right. I turned away and gazed at the floor. "I'm sorry. I was out of line."

"Mitchy..." Scott whispered as he scooted back towards me and pulled me into his arms. I rested my cheek on his chest while he rested his chin on my head. "I know this is not the best situation but you have nothing to worry about."

I wanted to scream that yes, I did, especially since he had a history of cheating and that Alex was probably just starting with his plan but I held my tongue. However, I still had to say something so I took a shot. "Can't somebody else take the project?"

I felt his arms loosen around me as his shoulders slumped. "Mitch, this is a big project. And rumor around the office is that they're thinking of promoting me. This is a big opportunity for me. I can't screw this up."

I knew it was a long shot but his denial still stung. "I guess my happiness wasn't bound to last," I said glumly.

Scott put his hands on either of my shoulders and gently pushed me. His lips spread into a frown as his blue eyes bore into mine. "Baby, please don't say that. Alex is part of our past and he will stay there, okay?"

"Scott, he's literally in our lives again. In our present. And he's going to ruin it," I cried.

"We won't let him. I won't let him. Mitch, please," he pleaded, "we're in a good place right now and believe me when I say that I don't plan on screwing this up."

A big part of my heart truly believed him but the little green monster managed to creep her way into my heart and whisper words of doubt into my already confused brain. "Tell me then," I stated, "what exactly will this mean? You working with Alex?"

He sighed.

"And don't sugarcoat it. I want to know what to expect."

He stared at me for a couple of seconds before he started to speak. "Their company proposed a joint campaign with us. We're going to be working all summer and then launch in the fall. He's their company's brand executive so he'll be in charge of mostly the creative side of the campaign. On the other hand, as brand executive and since we're leading the campaign, I'll sort of be in charge of the whole thing - advertising, funding, etc. I'll be working closely with him, but not just him. I mean there's a whole team assigned to handle this campaign."