Winning Is the New Losing Part Dos! (Sneak peek/temp title)

Ashes to Ashes of Our Youth

    Billie woke on the couch, still in his robe and feeling dizzy. He had fallen asleep on accident after the melt down of discovering not only was his best friend missing, but that Gloria wasn't really Gloria, at least not the one he'd remembered. He looked to his phone. 

    4:45

    "Damn." He had been out longer than he hoped. He looked to the kitchen when he heard humming. He followed the melody to find Gloria placing a plastic black tray of food in the microwave. she hit a few buttons before turning. 

    "Oh baby, you're up. I didn't wanna wake you. you were hysterical earlier so i felt you needed the rest." She hurried to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. 

    "Yeah, sorry about that." He wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her closer. He hid his head in her hair a long her neck. She felt like Gloria, and even smelled like her. But there was something in his heart, a new wall. He couldn't love her like he did before. His heart wouldn't allow it no matter how much he wanted it. 

    "I got some cake while you were asleep." she pulled from him. "It's your favorite." She smiled and hurried to the fridge. 

    He gave a faint smile and stepped closer. He then wondered how Gloria could possibly know what his favorite kind of cake was. He had never told her. 

    "Tada!" She said turning presenting a rectangle cake. 

    Billie's heart dropped. It had whiped cream at each corner with cherries on top. The center read: Happy Birthday Billie!  and a number twenty candle was lit. 

    "I bet you thought I forgot didn't you! I didn't, I love you so much babe. Also I know how you're to fond about your age so I got this one."

    Billie couldn't speak and his stomach twisted into knots. This wasn't his birthday, it wasn't his cake, It was the same birthday cake he had bought Gloria for her 20th long ago at the hotel. It was her favorite cake. And he had to go to almost 10 different store to find it, because then he knew there was a possibility it was going to be her last birthday. He wanted to make it special, and it was. It was the best day of both of their lives, it was they day they not only first made love but fell in love. 

    "Baby? are you ok?"She placed the across the stove rack and as she turned back he wrapped his arms around her. "Honey?"

    "Don't you remember? Baby, today is not my birthday." He said.

    "Of course it is." She lifted his head holding his face gently in front of hers. "I love you so so so so so so much, we'll be together for ever." She leaned forward giving him a kiss. 

    He wanted to pull away but was so wrapped in a memory that he couldn't. 

    She hoped her butt up on the counter wrapping her legs around him and pulled him close  "Mmmm, baby this reminds me of old times."

    Billie stopped in an instant and pulled his head back. "Old times? Gloria, tell me. What is it you remember?"

    She smiled. "Ya know, engaging sex on the kitchen counter, our first kiss. me feeding you a cherry and you carrying me off to bed." 

    He knows those memories but how does she know them. 

    "Well actually our first kiss was you coming in drunk and slamming me into the wall. you pressed your lips against mine and I was so scared but soooo aroused. I wanted it bad. like I do know." She pulled at his robe. 

    "No wait." Bilie moved her hands then legs away and held her face trying to keep her focused. "Gloria what else do you remember?!" 

    She shrugged. "Just being in love with you. Dont you love me? I'm trying so hard," She began to whimper. "I try and I try, I just I love you so much and you dont seem to love me back! Billie I fucking love you, and I want to be with you forever, Billie." she started to cry.