Fatal wounds

1

Theo

"You're a free man!" Brian cheers, raising his glass of whiskey in the air. He throws an arm around me and chugs his drink in one go.

I feel my lips curl up the slightest bit. I am a free man, though the way it went down was fucked. I grab my own drink and mimic his actions feeling the satisfying burn slide down my throat.

Not even three months ago I felt like I was watching my life slip away from me.  I was watching everything burn before my eyes. I was drowning in a life that didn't feel like mine.

"How's Clarissa?" Liam cocks his head our way. I force myself not to flinch at the question.

"She claims she's fine." I shrug. I grab my next drink watching the amber liquid move in the cup as I swirl the glass.

He scoffs, looking away. "But is she? You didn't have the decency to find out?"

"Hey man." Brian shakes his head, sobering up. "Quit it okay? The situation is messed up for both of them."

"Is it?" He laughs humorously. "Last I checked she was the one left heartbroken."

My move is unexpected as I abruptly stand from the seat. I finish my second glass, pull out a few bills leaving them on the counter and turn towards the crowd.

Even as I walk away I hear Liam's remark. "Sure go find some woman to fuck the day you call it quits with your fucking fiancée."

"Hey Theo." Brain calls out, following after me. "Don't mind him. You know they were friends." He shrugs.

"He doesn't fucking understand." I swear running a hand through my hair. "I never wanted the shit she did. The children the marriage. None of it."

He raises both his hands. "Hey. I know. I was there the entire time, he wasn't. He didn't see the shit they put you through, I did."

He's right. Brian's always been there. He's seen firsthand the shit my parents pulled. All the fucking things they orchestrated in my life. I was their fucking puppet my entire life, letting them dictate it.

My every move, every decision, it was their doing. I haven't made a decision by myself my entire life, expect for the one that took place tonight.

He clears his throat, slapping a hand on my back. "Let's get out of here. My old man has the game on tonight, we can chill there."

"Nah," I shake my head. "You go, I'll find something to do."

Brain hesitates. "You sure man? Come on, you can crash with me. We don't have to go see the game." 

"It's your dad's birthday." Mr Anderson, Brian's dad spends every New Year's Eve watching a football game. His birthday isn't till the first but Brian and him celebrate the day before, every year. "Go spend it with him Brian. Don't let my shit hold you back."

He nods stiffly, clapping one hand on my back before leaving. I watch his figure move through the crowd. I look over my shoulder, spotting Liam. He's ordered a few more drinks, looking solemnly at them.

I debate going back over to him. He's hurt I remind myself. He became a close friend of Clarissa while we were engaged.

His eyes meet mine over the crowd. His gaze hardens as he takes a shot. "For fucks sake." I mutter making my way back over to him. He reacts quickly, taking his last shot and shooting out of his seat.

He too retreats into the crowd, leaving through a back door.

I take a seat back at the bar and flag down the bartender. "Can I get a water?"