Drown (Doomed sequel) - Oli Sykes fanfiction

29. 'Cause you know that

CW: Discussions around trust, anxiety, suicidal thoughts and feelings, perceived infidelity. Arguments, anger and other feelings from all parties about the above with also mentions of self harm, death, grief, what-ifs, regrets.

A/N: VERY DIALOGUE HEAVY. Almost the entire chapter is talking, but it's VERY much needed by everyone.

"Dude, what the fuck was that about?!" Josh admonished Oli as they watched Jordan escort Mia from the room.

"Oh come on, Josh!" Oli scoffed. "You know exactly what's been going on."

"Yeah, I do," Josh replied, folding his arms across his chest and glaring down at Oli. "You're the one who's being stupid, mate."

"What the fuck are you on about?" Oli pulled himself completely upright, seemingly having made a miraculous recovery. "I was right the entire time. I confided in you about all this stuff and you somehow convinced me to give her the benefit of the doubt and it was all for fucking nothing!"

"Oli, listen to me," Josh's voice was low and stern. "You're wrong. I've seen the pictures too and I know how it looks, but come on - Mia is your wife - she'd never do that!"

"That means nothing to me anymore," Oli spat. "And why the fuck are you taking her side?!"

"I'm not taking any sides," Josh fumed, the anger at his friend's pig-headedness evident in his low voice. "You're just as stubborn and closed-minded as Lis right now, except she gets to excuse herself with hormonal overload. You, on the other hand, are acting like a fool and pushing your wife away. For all the times in the past you've said I've been a cunt and hurt you, you're acting just the same right now and not even giving her a chance to at least tell you what happened. It's kinda funny, innit?"

"Nothing about this is funny," Oli mumbled, picking at his fingers.

"No, it's absolutely not," Josh continued his tirade. "And deep inside your self-loathing heart you know that Mia would never even think about cheating on you."

Oli didn't reply, he just kept picking at his fingers.

"You know I'm right," Josh added indignantly. "I've spent a lot of time with Mia over the last few days. She brought us to you without even possibly knowing where you'd be. She was in so much pain, but she refused to give up until she knew you were safe."

"So what makes you so sure she hasn't been lying to you too?" Oli rebutted quickly.

Josh sighed heavily and swiped a hand over his face, rubbing his beard before scratching at his neck in frustration. "Oh for fuck's sake, Oli! She's literally gone to the ends of the earth for you. I'm not an expert on relationship advice, but at least I've learned from my past mistakes." Josh pushed away from where he sat and started to walk away from Oli. "Whatever your eventual decision will be, I'll support you. You're still my best mate, but you need to figure out what's more important in your life."

Oli returned to picking at his fingers, not bothering to look up at Josh as he left. Jordan re-entered the room again shortly afterwards and offered Oli a tight smile which he returned with a roll of his eyes.

"Don't you start lecturing me too," Oli huffed.

"I wasn't going to say anything," Jordan replied, raising his hands defensively. "I'm just gonna check you over quickly."

Oli sighed and let Jordan do his thing. He felt like utter shit if he was honest, but he knew a lot of that was to do with having not eaten properly since he left.

"You're looking good," Jordan finally confirmed. "You just need a few decent meals and you'll be good to go." He plopped himself in the chair next to the bed and let out a long sigh, again returned by a roll of Oli's eyes. "Don't even think about it," Jordan warned as Oli began to open his mouth. "I just need to know why."