The Bet (Book 1 in The Deception Series)

Chapter 44: messes and brothers

Garrett

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"Mess It Up"- Gracie Abrams

I need a fucking award for how many fucking times I've fucked everything up with her. Everytime I got close to her, I just ruin it. I could have her one minute and then have nothing of her the next. And it hurts me because I know that I couldn't fix it no matter how hard I tried.

I called her 12 times in the last 20 minutes, it rang, so at least she didn't block me again. I text her several times too.

Me: Taylor I'm sorry

Me: Answer my call

Me: Did u get home safe

Me: I didn't mean anything I said, Tay-Tay

Me: Come back let me explain

I hate myself for not controlling my anger. Why did I yell at her like that? Why did I tell her that I wish I never loved her? Loving her was the only right thing I did in my entire life.

I sit on the couch in my bedroom, wishing I could go back in time and make sure I never fucked up everything. It was haunting me. My past self was haunting me. It's karma for all the pain I've caused to people.

There's a knock at the door, catching my attention. I look up and watch it open to reveal Jake. I felt relief fill my body. I was worried it was going to be my brother. I was glad Connie was back, but part of me was angry with him. It hurt a little to see him, it was reminding me of the fact that he left me alone in that house.

"Hey." My best friend says as he walks over to me and sits down next to me.

"Hey." I sigh.

The room falls silent as we both sit there, trying to figure out where to even begin. We both lost the girls we loved and it was all my fault. My father was right, I really was a fuck up.

"I don't think I'm gonna get her back." I whisper.

He doesn't say anything but I could feel his stare on me. It made me feel worse. Because I knew that he knew I was right.

"We're in the same boat." He says.

I look at him and frown, "No luck with Lily?"

He shakes his head, "She's done with me. I don't blame her, I'd defend you too if the roles were switched."

"You shouldn't. I'm a shitty friend, man. I'm so sorry."

"No, you aren't. Trust me. You're more like a brother to me than a friend." He smiles.

I smiled because I knew exactly what he meant. Jake was like a brother to me these past few years when my real brother wasn't here. Jake was the one who stood by my side, no matter how many mistakes I made, he didn't give up on me.

"I don't know what I'm supposed to do about my real brother sitting downstairs." I explain.

"Why? Aren't you glad?"

"I am... but part of me is pissed at him for leaving all those years ago. And now he's just back?"

"Talk to him. Tell him how you feel. Don't let your anger get in the way. That's never gotten you anywhere." He tells me.

I sigh and nod because I knew he was right. My anger never did anything good for me. Taylor was a perfect example of that. I needed to keep my cool and communicate like a civilized person.

"Yeah, you're right. But first. I need to go fix something else." I say as I stand up.

~~~~~~~~

I stand outside of The Grill watching my watch, waiting for her to come out. I was holding a bouquet of flowers, I took in deep breaths. I don't know why I was so nervous, but I mean Tay-Tay makes me feel all sorts of things.

I hear the door open and I watch as she walks out in her hottass uniform that makes her ass look so fucking good.

She sees me and rolls her eyes, walking right past me.

"Taylor." I call as I run after her.

"Fuck off." She says as she walks towards her car.

"I'm sorry." I say as I walk with her.

She ignores me and continues to walk but I follow her. She reaches her car and goes to open the door but I stop her by stepping in front of her.

"I will call the cops on you." She says as she crosses her arms over her chest.

"No you won't." I smirk.

She scoffs as she pulls her phone out but I quickly snatch it from her hand.

"I swear to god, Garrett!" She snaps.

I chuckle as I put her phone into my front pocket.

"Give it back." She demands.

"Only if you go on a date with me." I ask.

She stares at me, the same way she looked at me a few months ago when I asked her the same thing for the first time.

"You need to be sent to a mental hospital." She says.

"I'll go once you go on a date with me." I smirk.

"No!"

"Fine, no phone for you, I guess." I say.

I smirk as I stare at her adorable face.

"You're adorable when you're pissed at me." I tell her.

"Is that why you piss me off so much?" She asks as she crosses her arms over her chest.

I shake my head, "I'm just really bad at this whole thing, Tay. You know that."

"No, I don't. You keep fucking hurting me, Garrett. Over and over again. I can't do it." She says, her voice breaking a little.

My heart aches, "I know. I'm sorry. I want to be better for you. Please, just give me a chance."

"I just need time right now, okay? I need you to understand that." She tells me.

I nod, "I'll wait for you, Taylor. I'll wait and wait. As long as it takes. Because loving you was never a waste."

She looks at me, her eyes filled with tears that I had caused. I seemed to do that to her alot. And I hated myself for it.

She sighs and shakes her head, "Just give me my phone, Garrett."

I pull out her phone and hand it to her before stepping out of her way. I watch as she gets into her car and drives away with my heart in her hands. I look down at the flowers in my hand and sigh before I chuck them on the ground out of anger.