The Game of Love

Chapter 10 - For better or Worse, it's Over

"Can...dice?", Hoseok's voice trailed from happy to unsure when he saw Bryan's hand in mine.

Oh shit, what do I do? What do I say?? I looked up at Bryan who was eyeing Hoseok and then the still slightly open door with his hand on the knob. He looked confused, then he looked down at me and I knew I had some explaining to do. But what do I tell him? Our truth? The whole truth? A lie...? Bryan looked back at Hoseok, who had stopped moving, unsure of what he should do or say. He looked scared and hurt. Silence was finally shattered when Bryan spoke.

"Ho...soke, was it?"

"Hoseok actually...", he cautiously approached to shake Bryan's hand, forcing him to release mine.

"Oh, right. Sorry. I didn't mean to offend."

"No problem, it's an unusual name outside of Korea.", he forced a smile. Even his fake smile was bright. Despite the friendly sounding exchange, the air was so thick you could cut it with a knife.

"What brings you here?", Bryan's eyes went back to the now closed door and back to Hoseok.

"Oh uh...", he fidgeted for a bit, then looked at me. What do I tell him? What could he possibly say anyway? We were caught...

"Hoseok just comes by when he has a problem, remember?", I lightly tugged at Bryan's arm. "Sorry, now's not a good time... I'll text you when I'm free, okay?", I looked at Hoseok with pleading eyes.

"Right...", he nodded. Giving Bryan another glance, Hoseok stuffed his hands in his pockets and walked away with his head down. I'm so sorry!! I'll make it up to you... I promise. One bad situation at a time.

"Shall we?", I pulled at Bryan, who had his head turned to follow Hoseok down the stairs.

"Hmm? Oh, yeah... Hey... Why was he in your home without you?", his voice trailed off as he turned to look back towards the stairs again.

"Let's just go inside.", I took him in and set my things down on the counter. He followed behind, keeping very silent.

"Does... he have a key?"

"No.", I shook my head, "Nothing like that."

"How did he get in here?"

"Never mind Hoseok, come sit with me for a minute.", I walked to the couch and sat down, patting the seat beside me.

"Candice... I don't think I like the way it feels in here... Everything in me is telling me not to sit down."

He was visibly nervous. He's been through this before, he wasn't certain, but he could tell whatever this was, wasn't good. I gave him a smile.

"Please come sit.", I begged.

Reluctantly, he made his way to the couch and sat next to me. We sat in silence for a bit, I had no idea where to start, and he was in no hurry to hear it. We looked at each other a few times in the awkward silence, but always ended up looking back at our laps or hands.

"So..."

His sudden comment startled me. Shit! I'm going to have to say something now!

"Yes...", come on, you can do this, you HAVE to. "I wanted to... talk.", way to be as cliché as it gets! Idiot! This isn't going well already...

"I see.", he cleared his throat and his voice became shaky. "How long?"

"What?", what did he mean? I don't follow. How long have I known I wanted to break up??

"How long have you been sleeping with him?" Oh... that's what he meant... HEY!

"WHAT!? I'm not cheating on you!!", well, not until last night... but I had already made up my mind to break up with you! Does that still count as cheating? Probably.