Half of a Whole

Chapter 20: The Encounter

Aspen iMessage
Aspen iMessage
Aspen iMessage
Max iMessage
Max missed call

Well shit. I throw my phone in my lap and decide I'll deal with them later. Honestly I just had an extremely good night with Zach and I don't want to spoil it now. I think back to the shower and how his hands moved so perfectly along my body. I snap out of my daze when the Uber driver changes the radio station and "Can't Help Falling In Love" by Elvis comes on the radio. I go back to thinking about Zach.

When I get home I figure I better deal with the mess on my phone. First I call Max. He texted me too but I figured he'd just tell me once I call.

"Hey Katie!"
"Hey is everything ok?"
"Yes... what's wrong?"
"No it's uh... nothing. Never mind. So why'd you call?"
"Oh I just hadn't talked to you in a while. Are you sure everything is ok?"
I don't want to tell him about me and Zach so I figure I should probably just play it cool.
"Nah everything is good I'm just sorta tired. Can I call you back later?"
"Yeah of course!"
"Bye!"
"Bye"

Wow ok well I worried for nothing with that one. I finally check my message from him and all it says is "Hey! Good morning." Probably should have looked at texts first.

Next I check the ones from Aspen. I can already tell this can't be good. And let's just say I wasn't wrong...

Bitch
Wow
And with my best friend too. That's just low.

My phone buzzes again while I'm reading the messages.

Snapchat from Zach

I brush off the messages. What's it to him anyways? He cheated on me first.

After a few minutes I check his snap. He's basically naked and a blonde girl has her head on his shoulder and hands around his waist.

Bzzz

It's another message from Zach.

That girl could've been you.

The nerve of this boy I swear. I decide I need a break. I shut my phone off and run upstairs to get my gym stuff. Working out always helps me when I'm stressed. Not to mention all the hottest guys go to the gym and having a nice view to look at isn't the worst thing in the world. I throw on my coral lulu lemon sports bra and my black lulu lemon leggings. Then I throw my hair up in a high pony, grab my water bottle and keys and I'm ready to go.

At the gym I head straight for the treadmill. I just want to run right now. I scan the row of treadmills and spot an open one. I realize I recognize the person lifting weights near it. I decide no communication in the gym today and focus on what I was going to do. But it didn't take long before the guy recognized me. I spot him walking over in my peripherals.

"Well well well. What do we have here? Didn't get enough of a workout in bed last night?"

I ignore him.

"Oh well I know Zach enjoyed it. It was all the talk in our team's group chat this morning."

I froze.

"W-what?"
"Don't worry. He enjoyed it. I know I would." He finished walking over and rested his arm on my treadmill.
"We didn't sle..." I began.
"Well at least he won money off of it right?"
"What" I'm so confused.
"Yeah you didn't know? He bet that you're broken hearted ass would fall right into his arms and he'd sleep with you last night. He didn't win much though we all knew you didn't stand a chance."
"Fuck off Aspen." I say as I'm fighting to hold back tears. I grab my stuff and head for the locker room. He won't be able to bother me in there.

When I get into the locker room no one is in there and I begin to cry. How could Zach do this to me? I can't believe it's all a game to him. We didn't even sleep together! And to make a bet on me? What an ass.

I try to get myself to look decent and run out to my car. I'm walking across the parking lot and and I feel like I'm being followed so I peer over my shoulder. I see someone walking a few steps behind me. I quicken my pace and my breathe follows suit. I get out my keys and put them between my fingers. I feel like I'm going to die.

"Katie"

Oh thank god its a familiar voice. I unclench my fists and relax a bit. Even though it's Aspen. I turn around. Woah he's a little close.

"Umm yeah?"
"Zach took you from me. I want to take back what is mine" he says as he gets closer to me. I am pinned against the car. There is no way out.
"Aspen..."
"You're mine Katie."

I couldn't believe the words coming out of his mouth. He's gone insane. I look into his bloodshot eyes and see his hands shaking.

"Aspen you're v-very sweet. B-but I need to go."
"I can't let you go" he sternly whispers into my ear. My body goes numb.

"WHAT THE HELL?! GET OFF OF HER!" My eyes are closed but I'd know that voice anywhere.  Max runs up behind Aspen and pulls him off of me. He then punches him straight across his jaw. All I can do is watch. I am frozen.

I wait in silence as Max pummels Aspen to the ground. But Aspen doesn't give up without a fight. He is a lot bigger and stronger than Max, but eventually he gives up and runs off. Max runs over to me and gives me a big comforting hug. He knows I can't speak so all we do is climb into the car and he holds me in his arms for a while.