The Time of Your Life || c.b

Nine

'What's wrong?' I asked. It couldn't be that bad. Warren was probably just doing something stupid (as usual).

'Come over and I'll tell you.'

'Colby, stop. Just tell me what's up.'

I heard him sigh. 'Call Warren. Tell him to come home.' Colby hung up. I didn't understand him anymore. Since Warren and I got together, he'd been different. He was still supportive anf sweet, but I could sense tension whenever my boyfriend was brought up in conversation.

Despite my lack of knowing what was going on, I called Warren anyway. The first call, he didn't pick up, but he picked up right away on the second. Or... someone did.

'Hello?' a girl's voice answered. I shivered.

'Who's this? Where's Warren?' I asked, trying my best to stay calm.

'Oh! Warry's right here, hold on!' I waited a moment. 'Hello?'

'Hey, love. Can I come pick you up?'

'Aggy? What's wrong?'

I smiled slightly at his concern. In the background I could hear yelling and loud music, and that girl's voice.

'Nothing, I don't think. I just need to talk to you about something.'

He agreed to let me pick him up. I told him I loved him. He didn't reply.

I pulled up to the address Warren had given me. I knew this was the right place; music blared from large speakers even outside, and red solo cups littered the lawn. I didn't have to text Warren letting him know I was there, as he was already waiting on the front porch. He saw my car and began to head towards me when someone caught his wrist and spun him around.

I watched in horror as her lips clashed with his. For a second, he didn't move, but he suddenly melted slightly. My stomach dropped but I couldn't stop watching. He didn't touch her or move closer, but his eyes shut and his lips molded with hers. Suddenly, as if he had gotten a slap to the face, he stopped and pulled away. He looked me straight in the eyes and began to run towards the car without saying goodbye to the girl who kissed him.

I didn't drive away, though I should've. I didn't fight with him or yell at him, though I should've. I simply unlocked the passenger side door and let him climb in. My stomach was in knots and I couldn't speak. Warren didn't speak either. For once, our silence was anything but comfortable.

We got back to our apartment and sat down on the couch together. I didn't dare touch him or look into his beautiful eyes.

"Was this the first time?" I whispered as I attempted to keep the tears from flowing out of my eyes.

He shook his head painfully. His eyes were sad and regretful. My stomach knotted.

"How many different girls?" I asked this time.

"Just her. I promise," he replied. His voice was scratchy as if he, too, were about to cry. I believed him. I forgave him. I shouldn't have, but I did. We had sex that night, as if that might make things all better. We slept together, as if nothing had been ruined. He never apologized. He never told me it wouldn't happen again.

Warren began to go out during the day. He would leave the same time I left for work and get home late. I knew what was going on but I ignored it. He let me go see Colby once in a while now. I think maybe to balance out what he was doing. He was convinced I would cheat on him with Colby, I guess. I wouldn't.

Now, I sat on Colby's couch with Aaron's dog, Buddy. Colby and Aaron were playing Kingdom Hearts. I hadn't said much today; Warren had told me he was going to her house. No one else knew. I told Colby that it was all a misunderstanding. I didn't need anyone worrying about me.

"Aggy, are you down for In n Out tonight?" Colby asked me.

"I-I was just gonna go ho—"

"Too bad you're having dinner with us loser!" Aaron shouted in his classic Aaron voice. I giggled a little and agreed.

"Ight well, let's go pick it up then," Colby stood up, pausing the game. Before I could protest, he picked Buddy off of my lap and gently sat him in Aaron's.

"Why do I need to come?" I asked.

Colby rolled his eyes. "I need some company, man! Plus, I can trust you with the aux," he winked at me and I scoffed. I knew this was one of his master plans to get me alone so he could find out why I was so quiet, but I admit that I needed someone to talk to, so I let it go.

I grabbed my shoes and my wallet and we headed out. It was insanely hot out (98° to be specific) and yet I was wearing a big white sweatshirt and a pair of blue skinny jeans. That was my style, though. I had to live up to it.

The second we were out the driveway, Colby began to question me.

"What did he do?" he asked, not bothering to ask if I was upset because he knew.

"Nothing, Colby... It's okay," I replied. I knew this wasn't going to work but I wanted to believe that it might. I wasn't sure I was ready to tell anyone about Warren.

"Agnes, we're not leaving this car until you tell me what he did. I've left it for this long, I can't leave it any longer," he raised his voice again before sighing, "You're not you, Aggy."

So, I explained everything. I explained that Warren was knowingly cheating on me and I was allowing him to. That it was killing me inside but I couldn't let the man I loved go. I told him everything I had been holding in me for the last couple weeks. "B-but it's gonna get better, Colby. He loves me."

Colby's face was beet red. His fists gripped the steering wheel so tight that his knuckles turned white. He ended up having to pull over before he could even say anything. I was afraid of what he was going to tell me. Afraid he thought I was stupid or pathetic.

"Agnes, you're letting him cheat on you and you think he loves you?" he asked me harshly. I shrank into my seat.

"I... I love him Colby. He has to love me. Why would he tell me he does if it's not true?" My voice was weak. I was close to tears, but I wouldn't let them spill. I had gotten good at avoiding tears.

Colby took a deep breath before speaking calmly, "You're letting him hurt you. You know you don't deserve that. If he loved you he wouldn't be cheating."

I knew how right he was but I couldn't admit it. I loved Warren and I couldn't let our relationship end. I didn't tell Colby that, though. "I'll talk to him. I'll let him know he's hurting me."

That's all I said, and I did keep to my word. The next day, Warren told me he was going out with her again. I stopped him before he could leave.