Broken Heart

14 Chris

AUTHOR'S POV

The sound of David's ragged breathing and tear-choked voice on the other end of the line twisted something unpleasant in Chris's gut.

He had always been fiercely protective of David, a bond forged in the crucible of childhood adventures and unwavering mutual support.

Hearing him in such distress, his voice thick with a pain he could almost physically feel, ignited a familiar protective fury. His inherent dislike for Kevin, a simmering resentment he had carefully kept veiled from David, flared into sharp focus.

Chris had never quite understood Rose's deep connection with Kevin. He saw Kevin as aloof, sometimes arrogant, and not truly deserving of Rose's bright spirit. He had always felt a subtle tension whenever they were all together, a silent undercurrent of disapproval that he consciously suppressed for her sake. He’d offered polite smiles and civil conversation, but beneath the surface, a quiet animosity had always lingered.

As David continued to recount the story, the name "Rose" tumbled from his lips, almost as an afterthought when describing the intimate scene he had witnessed. Chris, who had been listening intently, his jaw tight with suppressed anger towards Kevin, felt a jolt run through him at the mention of that name.

Rose.

The woman who occupied a significant, albeit unrequited, space in his heart. He had known her for years, their paths frequently crossing through mutual friends and social circles. He admired her vivacity, her intelligence, her easy laughter. He had harbored feelings for her for a long time, a quiet affection that he had never dared to voice, respecting her friendship and her own relationships.

Hearing her name linked to Kevin in such a context sent a sharp pang of something akin to jealousy, mixed with a confusing swirl of other emotions. He pictured Rose, her bright smile, and then the image David had painted – Rose kissing Kevin. A knot tightened in his chest. He hadn't known they were this particularly close. The revelation was unexpected and unsettling.

Despite this internal turmoil, Chris's focus remained firmly on David. He could see the raw pain etched in his voice, the devastation of feeling betrayed by someone he loved. His own complicated feelings for Rose, the unexpected sting of this new information, paled in comparison to David's immediate suffering. His protective instincts for his best friend overshadowed his own personal conflict.

Now, hearing the raw anguish in David's voice as he described the scene at Kevin's door, Chris's long-held dislike intensified into something akin to contempt. He pictured Kevin, his perceived betrayal a stark contrast to David's vulnerability, and a wave of anger washed over him. He wanted to shield him, to pull him away from the source of his pain, even if that source was someone he deeply loved .

"David," he said, his voice softer now, laced with genuine concern, "take a deep breath for me. Just breathe. You're safe now. I'm here for you." He pushed down the urge to unleash his true feelings about Kevin, knowing that now was not the time. David  needed comfort, not a diatribe against his mate.

"David."he said gently, his voice carefully neutral, betraying none of the inner turmoil he was experiencing, "I know this is incredibly painful. It's okay to feel everything you're feeling right now. Don't try to bottle it up."

He continued to offer words of comfort, his voice a steady anchor in the younger sea of distress. He reminded him of his strength, his resilience, the unwavering support he had always shown him. He promised to be there for him, in whatever way the younger needed, whether it was a shoulder to cry on, a listening ear, or simply a distraction from his pain.

As David’s sobs gradually subsided, replaced by quiet sniffles, Chris shifted his approach slightly. "David," he said softly, "are you sure of what you saw? Could there be... any other explanation?" He knew he was treading carefully, not wanting to invalidate the younger's feelings, but a tiny seed of doubt had been planted by the mention of Rose's name. Could there be more to the story? Could David have misinterpreted the scene?

David's response was immediate and firm. "Chris, I saw them. They were... close. Too close. I don't know what else to think." The certainty in his voice was unwavering, and Chris knew he couldn't push further without risking his trust.

He sighed inwardly, his own conflicted emotions warring within him. He hated Kevin for hurting David, but the unexpected involvement of Rose added another layer of complexity to his feelings. He wanted to understand, to know what had happened, but David's pain was his priority.

Okay," he said gently. "Okay. I believe you. And whatever happened, Kevin was wrong to hurt you like this. You deserve so much better." He meant every word. His loyalty to his best friend, his fierce protectiveness, trumped his personal feelings, even his confusing reaction to Rose's involvement.

"I'm coming over," he said firmly. "Don't argue. I'll be there as soon as I can. We can talk, or we can just sit in silence. Whatever you need. You're not alone in this, David. Never forget that."

He ended the call, his heart heavy with a mixture of anger, concern, and a strange, unsettling confusion. He still hated Kevin for causing David such pain. But the unexpected appearance of Rose in the narrative had thrown a wrench in his understanding of the situation, adding a layer of personal conflict to his desire to comfort his best friend.

He would be there for David, unwavering in his support, even as he grappled with the unexpected twist and the unwelcome resurgence of his own complicated feelings. David needed him, and that was all that truly mattered in this moment of shared heartbreak.