Then There Was One

Chapter 7

*Lance's POV*

Igroan slightly as the sunshine from the slightly, open curtains hit my eyes. Icover my eyes and try to drift back to sleep. As soon as I close my eyes, Ifeel a kind of drool, wetness on my cheek. "Ugh!" I call out and openmy eyes to see a puppy on my chest, panting. "Nice of you to wakeup," a voice calls out. I look over to the kitchen and see a randomstranger I've never seen before. "Uh, yeah. Who are you?" He chucklesand brings over a cup of water, I'm assuming, some medicine, and a piece oftoast. He sets it on the table in front of the couch on which I'm laying onright now. "I'm Zach. You were kind of a mess last night. I saw yourfriend leave. I didn't want you to be left alone, so, I called an Uber and tookyou to my place. Don't worry. We didn't do anything. Yet." He winks on thelast part and sits on the chair across from me. I nod then grab the water andmedicine. I glance up at him suspiciously, then slowly put the medicine in mymouth and drink the water. I set the cup down and grab the toast then look athim. "Uh, thanks. I guess." I take a bite and think to myself, I'mstill confused as to why this random man thought he could just take me to hishouse. How am I to trust him? I've heard horror stories of when peoplewere so fucked up that they couldn't remember anything. That's currently meright now. All I remember is being at the hospital and Collin picking me up andthen everything after that is an absolute blur. The hospital. Jaymi. Mybaby. He really is gone. I tear up, but then blink back the tears as Ifinish the toast in my hand. I look back at the man, Zach, I guess his name is,and nod. "Thanks again." I say. He smiles and takes the plate andputs it in the dishwasher. He then leans on the granite countertop and looks atme. "I have to go grocery shopping. You can either stay here or go or comewith. Do whatever you're comfortable with. If you stay here, you can shower.Shampoo and Conditioner are in there. If you stay here, you also have to takecare of Max here." He says and smiles down at the husky puppy at his feet."Right, Max? You need love and attention too." He coos at the dog andpicks the puppy up and kisses him while the puppy tries to get away. Hechuckles slightly and sets the dog down then looks at me again. "I cangive you some fresh clothes too, if that's not too weird." I chucklelightly and shake my head "I really shouldn't just shower or stay herewhile you're gone. I'm just a random stranger. What if I'm some psycho? Whatwould you do? What if I just stole everything and never gave it back? What if Ijust ran away with your dog?" The boy smiles at me and laughs. "ThenI guess that's what happens. Although, if you took my dog, I might just have totrack you down." He smiles a genuine smile with pearly white teeth, whichin return makes me smile. "Alright alright. No stealing the dog.Everything else is up for grabs?" He smiles and rolls his eyes "sure.Take all my clothes and dishes. That's pretty much all that I haveanyways." I chuckle lightly and nod "gotcha, mate!" He smilesand pushes back from the counter a bit "So, whatcha gonna do?" Helooks at me expectedly. I shrug and get up and stretch. "I can come with.If you don't mind, that is." He nods and walks past me. "Let me goget you some fresh clothes and some cologne." I nod then look at Max andsmile slight, bending down and petting the dog as he tries to nip at my hand."Oi, that hurt, Max." I chuckle lightly and pet his ears. I stand upas Zach comes back with clothes. "Cologne is on the dresser to yourright." I nod and smile slightly as I grab the clothes and walk to hisroom. I change quite quickly then look at myself in the mirror that he hasstanding against his white wall. I sigh lightly. I look likeshit. I say to myself. I shake my head then look down at the clothes Ihave on. I'm wearing black skinny jeans with a plain white t-shirt. It'slike he actually knows me. I smile lightly and walk back out to Zach.I also see another guy standing there across from him. Both of them look verydistressed. The guy standing across from Zach looks like he is the CEO of everybuilding in this wretched town. He's currently wearing a navy blue suit, with awhite dress shirt on and some black dress shoes. His black hair is slickedback. He looks like he's 30. Zach doesn't look like he's a day over 20. Thegood-looking, 30-year-old man scoffs and looks at me then back at Zach."So, that's what you've downgraded to?" He asks himwhile looking me up and down with a snotty look on his face. I raise an eyebrowand cross my arms. Before Zach could even speak, I say, "Yeah? And what ofit? He's better off without you anyways." The guy opens his mouth to speakthen shuts his mouth. I raise my eyebrow again, challenging him to saysomething. "Uh, okay, listen, Brad, you should go. Really. We can havethis conversation sometime else." Zach says softly and goes to touchBrad's arm. Brad pulls his arm back and looks at him "You wanna know thereason I broke up with you? Because I always knew you were a good-for-nothing,worthless slut. You're gonna regret ever breaking up with me. I promise"He turns around and walks out of the apartment, slamming the door. Zach wincesslightly then runs a hand through his brown, quiffed hair. He takes a deep,shaky breath then turns to me. "I'm really sorry you had to witness that. Ididn't even know he was going to drop by today." I shrug then go over tohim. "Who is that?" Zach smiles slightly. "Uh, yeah. That's noone. I don't wanna tell you my whole life story right now. I just metyou." His smile grows a little. He then grabs his keys from the hook onthe wall and walks towards the door. "So, are you coming or not?"