Breaking and Entering (Reece Bibby)

Chapter 25

He sighed, leaning his head forward in defeat. For a moment, I thought he wasn't going to tell me, but then he slowly raised his head, bringing his eyes to mine. "I wanted to break up the band."

"Wait, what?" I couldn't help but sound completely surprised. "Why would you want to do that?"
He didn't respond. Instead, tears started to stream down his face again. He was the epitome of broken. And part of me didn't feel bad, which made me feel ten times worse.

"I'm sorry," he whispered before sobbing again.

I looked at him, suddenly feeling anger I didn't know I had. I stood up and looked down at him. "So, you used me? You used me to break up the band? For reasons you don't want to tell me? And all you have is 'I'm sorry?'"

"Ava—"
"No, again, you had your time to talk. But you didn't. So now it's my turn." I glared at him and watched as he slowly started to pick himself up off the ground. "Did you even think about what would happen? Not about what it would do to the band, but what it would do to Reece and me? What if he thought I kissed you and broke up with me? Did you think about that?"

He stared at me, defeated.

"You didn't, did you? Did you forget about how we nearly broke up before because I thought he was cheating on me? How I kissed you because of how upset I was!" His eyes seemed to grow wide as the realization of what could have happened passed through his mind. "You know what? You're right. Reece does deserve to be angry with you. Congratulations, George. Looks like you might get what you want. Looks like you really might break up the band"

He looked at me, still not speaking.

"In fact, you'll get more than just that. Because, as of right now, I'm breaking up our friendship."

Finally, George found his voice. "Ava, please. Don't do this. I fucked up, I realized that. But there has to be a way I can fix this!"

I glared at him. "Tell me, George. Why did you want to break up the band?"

He lowered his head again, not saying anything.

"Get out."

"Ava—" He looked back up at me.

"I said get out, George. If you don't get out of my apartment right now I will scream so loud Reece doesn't even wait to ask questions."

He gave me one last look before he turned and headed for my door. Without being able to stop myself, I dropped to the floor and started to cry. At some point, I felt someone wrap their arms around me and I realized it was Reece. I leaned into his chest, feeling him squeeze me closer.

"Why does something bad always have to happen?" I asked him after I had stopped crying.

"Because that's how the world works, love. You have to take the bad with the good and know that everything happens for a reason." He kissed my cheeks, removing the tears from under my eyes.

"He wouldn't tell me why."

"Why what?" Reece looked at me confused.

"Why he wanted to break up the band."

Reece took in a sharp breath. "He really said he wanted to break up the band?"

I nodded. "But he wouldn't tell me why. He just said he was sorry and that he had fucked up."

"It will be okay, I promise." Reece kissed my forehead before pulling me into his chest again.

I'm not so sure this time, I thought, leaning my body into him once more. I felt my phone buzz in my pocket, making me reach down to grab it. I had a text from Sophie.

Hey Ava! I was wondering if you wanted to hang out tonight? I'd really like to get to know you better! I promise I'm not some creep but if you want to bring a friend that's totally fine!

I smiled, happy to have something to take my mind off of George. Sounds awesome! Text me the details and I'll be there!

"Who's that?" Reece asked.

"A friend. I met her yesterday after accidentally bumping into her on the street. I'm going to see her again tonight."
Reece raised his eyebrows slightly. "You sure that's a good idea?"

"It's fine, I promise. But if it makes you feel better I'll ask Leah to come with me."

He smiled softly. "I just want to keep you safe. I don't know what I would do if anything ever happened to you." He kissed my forehead again.

"Curl up and cry for weeks." I joked, making him smile larger.

"Make that months."

I laughed before leaning in and kissing him softly.