✔Vengeful Valentine

Twenty Three: Adam

Maybe it was just the alcohol and coke she took talking, but part of me wondered if Everly really wasn't happy. Had I not been a good enough boyfriend? Did she want to be with someone else?

It took a helluva lot of self restraint not to question her more. Never in a million years did I think Everly would try cocaine, but I never thought she'd tell me she wasn't happy being with me either. Everything was so fucked up. I didn't know how to fix it or if I could.

Laying on the small spare room bed, I stared up at the ceiling and sighed. How could I fall asleep when things might be coming to an end for us? Was I reason she turned to drugs? Did I make her life that miserable? I loved Everly more than anything, but if I made her unhappy, I didn't want to force her to stay with me.

After thinking it over too much, I sent my brother, Adrian, a text about what happened. His love life was shit, so I knew he wouldn't mock me for my problems. Adrian tended to fall for the wrong type of men, usually those who just wanted to use him then dump him. He called me almost immediately.

"What happened?" Adrian's voice came over the other line. "What did you do this time?"

"Hey, why are you assuming I did something wrong?" I sat up, raking a hand through my messy hair.

"Fine, then why's Everly so upset with you? You had to do something to make her consider leaving you. Unless you're just overreacting."

"Man, I wish I was overreacting. I don't know how to fix this."

"Spill the beans already," Adrian said, seeming to grow impatient with me.

"We got into a big fight after she came home tonight high on coke," I replied. "Some fucking bastards tried to rape her and two of the rebels saved her."

"Holy shit."

"Yeah, my thought too. I'm so relieved that she's okay. But she's mad at me for suggesting she leave the gang. They're no good for her. You know damn well what they did to my former partner, Luca. They'll do the same to Everly. That's why I gotta get her outta there. Before it's too late. She just doesn't understand," I explained.

"Everly really took cocaine?" Adrian asked.

"She did. When I asked her why, she ended up saying it's cause she's not happy with me anymore."

"Ouch. I'm sorry, man. It sounds like she might be losing attraction toward ya," Adrian replied. "I've felt the same way about a guy once. Everything he did got on my last nerve. No matter what it was. He could've taken me out to eat at a fancy pasta place and I'd get pissed off at him for not taking me to get burgers. I realized that I just wasn't into him anymore and that's why I wasn't happy with him. Not to be too TMI, but the sex got so much worse too."

"Yeah, definitely TMI," I mumbled. "But, um, we haven't... You know... Done anything sexual since she got shot. I mean, I figured she needs time to let her body heal."

"That's a good point. I can't imagine what she must've went through. I'm also not an expert when it comes to women, you know." He chuckled awkwardly. "The best thing I think you can do is talk to her. See what's going on and how y'all are feeling."

"I miss her. Like, she's become so distant recently. Even while we're under the same roof. At first, she relied on me a lot and we still were intimate. Just not sexually. Now, it's like she doesn't wanna be around me," I explained.

"Maybe she's just trying to figure out how she feels?" Adrian suggested. "I'm sure she's under a helluva lot of stress. Just go talk to her."