The Orchid (Colby Brock)

Acting up (Chapter 48.)

I knocked on the big wooden door with the roses and water colour set in hand. I sucked a deep breath in but it was shaky. Jake answered. He smiled awkwardly at me. 

'Hey Brie,' He said, 'Uh come in, I'll get Colby for you.' 

He turned his body to the side to let me in but I stayed put and shook my head gently. 

'Actually I'd prefer not too. Can I just speak to him here? Unless he is still in pain of course, I'll come in.' I reminded myself that even if he was an asshole he still had three broken ribs. 

'Yeah, I'll see,' Jake said frowning at me, but turned away and stomped up the stairs, he left the front door open moments later I heard the paws of buddy scurrying towards me. 

'Buddy!' I exclaimed crouching down to give the small puppy a pat. 'I missed you.' 

He excitedly jumped at my knees making me smile at his cuteness. I glanced up and saw Colby coming down the stairs, he was a mess. He has bloodshot eyes and deep dark bags hanging underneath. He used the railing heavily as he slowly step by step made his way down the stairs. I bit my bottom lip instant guilt filling my insides. 

'I could've came up and saw you.' I squeaked  

'Yeah, I know Jake said but it's fine.' He said softly only making me feel more guilty. But it wasn't my fault. I took a deep breath in and looked at the worn down Colby I was now face to face with. 

'Well um-' I began trying not to make eye contact with Colby, who was staring at me intensely. Instead I looked at the pavement and tried not to cry, who knew breaking up with someone would be so hard? 

'First.' I said after gaining my confidence back. 'I want you to have these back.' 

I handed him the beautiful water colour set and the roses. 

'Brie-' He began. 

'Because,' I cut him off, 'One I don't deserve it. Two I really don't want you thinking you can buy me back. I'm not like every LA girl Colby.' 

I made brief eye contact with him knowing my words left a sting. I wasn't meaning to hurt him, but he hurt me more. 

'Brie I- I know that,' He sighed shakily. 'I'm sorry, I'm so sorry.' 

He closed his eyes and breathed in almost making me believe he was sorry. 

'If you were sorry Colby, you wouldn't have even gone to the party.' I snapped.  

'Yeah I know, just what can I do to fix it?' He said gently back, even he knew he fucked up. 

'At this rate Colby, pretty much nothing.' I said placing my hand on my forehead. We both refused to make eye contact with each other. After a moment of silence he spoke up again. 

'No matter what you say, I'm going to try win you back. Even if I don't succeed.' He took a step closer to me and I immediately took another step back nearly onto the driveway. I honestly wanted to be in Colby's arms but at the same time I felt like I could slap him to Australia and back.  So I went with my gut and took a step back so he couldn't touch me, I knew that if he touched me I'd lose my strength and come falling back to him all over again. 

'No Colby,' I took two deep breaths to hold myself together. 'You need to stay away from me. The reason I came here was to say goodbye and give you back the gift.' 

'Brie,' He pleaded. 'I-I love you.' 

Those three words nearly broke me, in fact they pretty much did. The tears welled up in my eyes. Did he think that 'I love you.' could fix everything? 

'Liar.' I said through gritted teeth, I clenched my hands together, bawling them up into fists. Colby's mouth opened to say something but he stopped himself and frowned, quickly closing his mouth. 

'I honestly regret it Brie more than you think,' He said looking straight through me. 'And it hurts me so much to see you like this.' 

His words infuriated me, why was he saying this? 

'Why are you acting like this Colby?' I exclaimed fat tears spilling down my rosy cheeks. 'If you actually cared you would've stopped yourself!' 

'I know Brie!' I cracked him he was shouting too. 'I shouldn't have gone! Shouldn't have gotten drunk! Shouldn't have kissed that bitch who's name I don't remember! But know the world knows and there is nothing I can do about except for sit in my own guilt!' 

It was the truth and it stung. 

'Well I guess you'll have to deal with that yourself.' I pinched my lips together. 'Cause you and I are over.' 

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