One in the Same

Ch. 14: Blake

Anna had texted and called me on more than one occasion this evening. When I had finally picked up, she was so hammered I was barely able to make out what she was saying.

"Everyone left meeee." She whined into the phone. "Partying ssssucksss now. Can you come and p--pick me up?"

"You can't order an uber?" I groaned. Pinching my nose, I wiped the rest of the crust out of my eyes trying to look at the time. And it was well past 2AM.

"I don't have my purssse. I came with the friendsss that left-"

"They left you. I got it." I heaved a sigh and rattled my brain a little bit. "Do you need me to send you some cash to-"

"Blake, please. I'm scared and I'm by myself right ow in a bar I dont fucking know." Anna sniffled and a belch was heard a second later. My face churned sour. "Please, Blake."

My heart stitched with pain hearing the serenity in her voice. Was I the asshole who was going to help out his plastered ex-girlfriend give her a ride home? Yes. Was I also the asshole that still had her number saved? Also yes. Was I the asshole who was shoving his feet into the sneakers and getting into his car?

Sadly, fucking yes.

So here I was, an hour later - 3:15AM to be exact. Unlocking the all too familiar door of forbidden memories, I helped her inside, sitting her on the couch. Since the ride home Anna seemed to have sobered up. She didn't sound nearly as plastered as she idd on the phone.

Rounding the kitchen counter, I had a glass of water and two Advil in the other hand for her.

"Drink this and take these right after. It will make the hangover less ruthless in the morning." I clipped, shoving my hands in my pockets.

Every breath felt constricted. Every second I spent here, the bad memories slowly started to flood my brain, coming back. My inner self was battling the bad ones, keeping them at bay for as long as possible.

I know that I shouldn't care. I understand. However, it wasn't something to ignore when a woman was out by herself. It was important to be sure she was safe no matter the case at hand. Sure she put her hand on me, although she will get what's coming to her... And I wanted to be the one to do it.

"Thanks." Anna murmured, not taking her eyes off of me. She gulped half the glass, then took the Advil in her mouth, like it was requested. I cleared my throat, grabbing my jacket.

"Good. Now, I'm gonna go."

"Wait." Anna called. "I want to talk to you about something."

"And it can't wait for another time? It has to be now at 3AM?"

"I haven't seen you in a while. You look great, Blake." Anna commented. Her gaze falling down my body, andhanging for a second at my crotch before coming back to my face. I nodded my head in approval. Jaw ticking.

"That's what happens when you leave someone who wasn't good for you, and find someone who really is. This is what health looks like." I struck. Anna winced.

"We had some good times though, did we not?" Anna smirked small. "It was fun, right?"

"For the first year, yeah. Everything else went dark, and it went dark fast. Ever since our anniversary that night. You just... you never let up." Tears threatened to sting my eyes, but they were blinked away. No fucking way was she goung to see me weak again in her presence.

"I'm sorry for the pain I caused you. I hope we can move past this, work on ourselves, and be a better couple."

"Anna-"