The One That Got Away

Chapter 21: The One That Got Away

Brooklyn’s POV

I finally picked myself up off the bathroom floor and got into the shower. The steaming water felt amazing. My tears continued to fall like I had no control over them at all. The realization of what I did to Graham was hitting me. How could I ever face him again? I slowly got out and dried off. Back in my room I threw on a pair of sweats and a tank top. Cautiously I make my way to the kitchen.

            “I’m sorry if you hate me,” I mutter to Dia who is seated at the counter typing ferociously away at her phone.

            “I don’t hate you, I could never! You’re my best friend! I’m just disappointed. You know how I feel about people who cheat.” Dia had gone through a relationship a few years back that ended horribly. He had been cheating on her for months and it came out at dinner with her family.

            “I know. I feel awful. I can’t stop thinking about Graham and if he finds out.”

            “But,” she knew me too well.

            “But I also can’t stop thinking about Luke.”

            “I know. Ashton told me how in love you guys were. That he could just see it every time you were together. And that he saw it the other night.” I let out a deep sigh.

            “Maybe we just needed closure.” I suggest. My phone starts vibrating on the counter next to me.

            “Hey Graham!” I try to sound cheery.

            “Hey darling! How was your girls weekend?”

            “Great! Just what I needed!”

            “I’m glad. So listen my parents want to have us over for dinner. Does tonight work for you?”

            “Tonight is perfect!” I tell him confidently. What I need is to just focus on my fiancé.

            “Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Robinson! Dinner was lovely!” I give his mom a quick hug on the way out. I tried to be happy during dinner, but judging by Graham’s face it came off as fake.

            “What has gotton into you lately?” he turns on me when we get back to his place.

            “Nothing!”

            “Oh really? So you have always been this distant?”

            “I’m not distant, I just have a lot going on with my internship and making sure I get the job in the fall!” I throw back at him.

            “Work has never made you this way!” I can see the anger building up inside him. “If I didn’t know better I would say it has something to do with that stupid band!”

            “Hey, you have no right to insult my friends! You don’t even know them!”

            “I know enough to know I don’t like them. Any of them. Especially the freaky tall one.”

            “Luke? What do you have against him?” Graham stays silent for a minute. The gears turning in his mind.

            “Can I see your tattoo?”

            “You’ve seen it before. What’s the relevance now?” I quietly ask, now afraid he could put the pieces together.

            “I said let me see your damn tattoo!” he booms. I quickly lift up the left side of my shirt. Graham comes closer to inspect it. “Sydney harbor.” He mumbles. I silently nod my head. “He uh has the Statue of Liberty doesn’t he? I remember seeing it!”