Healing hearts

Chapter thirty

Xander's pov

I dragged Mia outside the hall and shouted at her. "What the hell was that, Mia? How dare you hurt Cassie?"

I was on my way to the restroom when I saw them fighting, I was shocked and hurt to see them fighting like that.

"Is she all you care about, that you can't even see where she's wrong?" She said.

"You know damn well how much I care about and love her. How dare you hurt her? I can't believe she laid her hands on Cassie."

"I talked to her about what she  did with Noah, and how much it hurt you," She said. "She got mad and started accusing me of things, and then she hit me. I only fought back."

I remember how hurt I was when I saw her hug Noah so intimately. It wasn't a simple hug. It looked like it meant something. Sometimes I feel scared that she might still be in love with him and leave me for him.

"Even still," I said, "you could have just walked away. For God's sake, this was an important night for me, Mia."

"Enough," she said, her eyes tearing up. "I've been through all of this before, even when we were in college and she wasn't even there. You always favored her over me, even when we were dating. Xander, I care about you a lot. You're the best guy I've ever had in my crappy life, and I thought I meant more to you. I thought you'd give me the benefit of the doubt, but I guess no matter what, Cassie always comes first for you."

"You're right, Mia," I said. "It has always been Cassie first above anything or anyone else for me. You have no idea what she's done for me, and how much she's saved me. I can't be friends with someone who hurt her. I'm sorry. We're done."

She nodded and wiped her tears, then walked away.

I felt bad losing her as a friend, but I couldn't be friends with her anymore, especially since she and Cassie weren't on good terms. I would never want to be stuck in the middle - I would always choose my family. I sighed and went back into the hall. In the far corner, I saw Brian talking to Mr. Brown.

He was trying to convince Mr. Brown to invest in his construction company, but Mr. Brown refused. Brian looked like he was desperately trying to make Mr. Brown accept his offer.

"Sorry, Mr. James," Mr. Brown said. "I'm not interested. Good night."

He left, and Brian took a drink from the waiter and downed the entire contents in one go. I could tell he was upset, so I went to him.

"Hey, Brian," I said. "If your company needs investors, I can help."

He looked at me with spite. "I'm never going to take help from you, Smith. Mind your own business and stay the hell away from me." He took another drink and left.

I huffed. "How annoying can a person be?" I said to myself, and went to find Cassie. I found her with my mom.

As soon as she saw me, she rushed over.

"I'm so sorry, Xander," she said. "I shouldn't have fought with her. I know she's your best friend."

"It's okay, babe," I said. "But what happened?"  I want to get her side of the story, too.

"She came to me about how I was with Noah," she said. "I told her to back off, and things escalated from there. I'm so sorry."

"It's okay," I said. "Just take care of yourself, okay? I can't bear to see you hurt."

"Don't worry," I continued . "Mia won't be around anyone. I promise."

"No, it's my mistake," she said. "Don't ruin your friendship for that."