Chapter 38 I Am Not Playing His Game

Chapter 38 I Am Not Playing His Game
April

I'm in the shower, trying to wake up my body. I am still adjusting to being back at work. It’s been a good distraction. When not working, I’ve been with Corbin, who took a couple of days to stop being upset over something that happened between Corran and me. More than once, I felt like knocking on Corran’s door to apologise, but I didn’t because I didn’t want to upset Corbin again. 

“I thought you weren’t planning to see him anymore?" Corbin’s voice startles me. 

He must have been observing and listening to us in the living room. 

“I changed my mind,” I reply simply. 

“Just like that, huh? After our talk?” 

I sigh and shake my head. “Corbin, stop, okay? He is a friend. Yes, something happened, but it won’t happen again. Do you want me to spend my life alone? Am I not allowed to have friends?” 

I understand his jealousy. He was always protective and jealous, but not controlling. He considered me his, and he wanted everyone to know that. I didn’t mind it then, and I still don't, even though things have changed. However, what I do mind is him thinking he can dictate who I can and can’t be friends with. 

“You have me…” 

“Corbin, you know what I mean. There are things I can’t do with you without seeming like I am losing my mind. I know you were upset about what happened, but I still enjoy being around him and having him as a friend. I'm not doing anything wrong, and you have no right to be upset with me for it.”

“You claim you'll only be friends, but that's uncertain. There’s something between you.”

“Corbin, please stop. He's my friend, and that won't change. Do you really want me to be alone all the time? Would that make you feel better, even if you're not always here?" 

I hear him sigh loudly. I still can’t see him through the steam from the shower. “No, of course not.” 

“Then stop being so jealous. He is the only one who understands what I am going through.” 

I wait for a reply, but it doesn’t arrive. I assume he has gone off again. If he’s upset and pouting, that’s okay. Corbin needs to understand—I promised him nothing more would happen between Corran and me, and I meant it. Of course, I don’t want Corbin to leave me; I’m not ready for that, and I probably never will be. Still, I don’t want to spend my time alone or not be able to do things because I can’t do them with him. 

I shake my head and finish in the shower, wrapping a towel around myself before heading to the bedroom to dry off and change. I sigh and sit on the edge of the bed. Corbin better not disappear for days again—that was really tough! It was just too much and broke me all over again. I honestly thought he wasn’t coming back. 

I go back to the living room, and Corran is exactly where I left him, but he appears to be lost in his own thoughts. 

“Corran, are you alright?" 

He raises his head to glance at me. “Yes, everything is fine. Are you okay?” 

I raise my brow at him. “Why would you ask me that?” 

“I don’t know; it is strange. I sensed something was wrong, as if you were upset while you were in the shower.” 

It's very strange indeed. How was he able to sense something like that? 

“I'm fine. Should we go to your place and eat?” I say with a smile, shifting the topic. 

I look around to check if Corbin is here, but he's not. He nods, and we head to his place, ordering food.

“Do you want some wine?” 

I shake my head. “No, a can of soda will be fine if you have any.” 

“Juice, not soda.” He teases. 

I roll my eyes, laughing. He disappears to the kitchen to grab us some drinks and returns only moments later, joining me on the sofa. He hands me a can of Irn Bru. It has become one of my favourite drinks since moving here. 

“Am I forgiven?” I ask, taking a sip. 

“Yes, you are. I understand.” He smiles.

“Thank you.” 

I wouldn’t blame him if he admitted he hasn’t or can’t forgive me. Suddenly, something—or someone—draws my attention. Corbin shows up in the chair, crossing his arms over his chest and watching us intently. I wonder if he came here straight after leaving my place since he knew this is where we would be?

I glance over Corran’s shoulder, trying to be subtle, and raise my brow. He shrugs with a smirk, and I resist the urge to roll my eyes. Is this really how he plans to behave—tracking my every move when I’m with Corran? It’s a bit over the top, but I have nothing to hide. I decide to ignore him, knowing he’ll probably lose interest soon enough. If he wants to act childish, that’s his choice. 

I turn my attention back to Corran. In response, Corbin huffs and moves closer, sitting on the edge of the sofa behind Corran. 

“April, what are you staring at?” Corran laughs, looking over his shoulder. 

I flash my best smile at him, trying not to let Corbin distract me before I make myself look like a crazy person again, something I have already done a few times in front of Corran. 

"Nothing," I lie. 

He doesn’t seem convinced but nods. Corbin begins to walk around the sofa, attempting to irritate me intentionally. However, I won’t fall for his game because he’s in a bad mood with me. Corbin is better than that. Still, we’ve never faced this situation before. He’s never had to compete with another man, and he still doesn’t need to. But it’s clear he thinks he does. He’ll realise soon enough that there’s no competition when he sees the truth for himself. For now, I have to let him sort it out on his own terms.