Chapter 21

“Well, it was about damn time.” Stella’s irked voice rang in my ears as soon as we entered their house.

Light blue and white helium balloons hung to the surface, their ends almost touching the ground. Milla and Evie’s name was written in a curvy font with beautiful decoration done on it and hung on the wall.

“Um, Ethan fell into a puddle, he had to change,” I said, for which I received a glare from Ethan.

“Idiot,” Ben said and glared at Ethan.

Ethan looked at me and smirk, “Babe, why don’t you tell what actually happened?”

“Babe?” The two of them said in unison and widened their eyes.

I widened my eyes at him. What is he up to?

“Yes,” His smirked stayed intact, “We, um, things heated up and I ended up wrinkling her dress and breaking our bed, so..”

“Ugh, gross.” Ben said.

“You guys just had sex before coming here?” Stella dug her nails into my arms.

“What, no-”

“Well,” Ben smirked too. “Since it’s for a good cause, I’m not mad at you guys. Come on in.”

I plastered a death glare on my face and walked inside. Ethan should have known better than messing up with me right now. The confusion and uncertainty of our relationship were already eating me alive. And announcing about our non-existent sex life is totally not helping my situation.

I wonder if he even has this thing bugging him. He is constantly making bold comments about our relationship and bringing us into an awkward silence but none of us have decided to address the situation. I think it’s time we talk about it. But that will have to wait until tonight.

“Ethan,” I said, and pulled him back for a second. “We forgot to buy presents for Evie and Mila.”

“You mean you forgot to buy presents.” He replied. “I already got them delivered here today morning.”

“Thank god.” I sighed. “Did you at least have the courtesy to add my name?”

“Why would I?”

My mouth gaped open. “Ethan, you-”

“Well, we’ve already cut the cake since you guys showed up this late.” Stella said, barging towards us. “but we could go grab some drinks and leave these guys to themselves.”

I closed my mouth and nodded at her. I will have to wait until I kill him tonight.

“Sure,” Ethan said and turned to pin me down with a serious look. “No vodka. You’ve been drinking a lot lately.”

“You don’t get to decide that for me,” I said.

“I’m not taking you home if you’re wasted.” He said and turned around and left before I could have the time to reply. I sighed and looked at Stella who was having a playful smirk on her lips.

“What?” I asked.

She shook her head, the smile still dangling over her face. “Nothing, let’s go.”

And we did.

“Stella, you know he’s bluffing right?” I asked.

“Who?”

“Ethan. We are late because I had to stop by a store to buy this dress. Not because we were having sex.”

Stella rolled her eyes. “I’m not dumb, Skylar. I know you guys probably didn’t even kiss properly. Sex is a big thing for you. I gave up on you.”

I smiled and wrapped my arms around her. “Aw, don’t say that. When have I ever disappointed you?”

“Well, you are. I told you that Mila and Evie are bored and were asking for some company. It would be great if they get to play with your kids while they’re still young.”

I withdrew my hands. “Why my kids? You can ask Lana or Jen, they’re married!”

“Well, you are married too.”

“Yes, but... it’s different. They are in love-”

“And you think you’re not?”

“I.”

Stella gave me a knowing look. “You know you don’t hate him anymore, Skylar. I know it’s tough for you to accept the fact that you love him but at least admit that you like him more now. Despite what happened seven years ago.”

I shook my head. “I, I don’t know. I know that I don’t hate him anymore because after everything he’s done for me, I know he cares about me and I know I didn’t get over him because I couldn’t date anyone, and nor could I get that tattoo off of my back.”

Stella gave a huge smile. “There you go, it wasn’t that hard to admit, was it?”

“But,” I said. “Every time I think of making it easier for us, by just accepting him into my life, my mind wavers back to what happened seven years ago and how much it hurt me. And Nick. I can never look at Ethan the same way again.”

Stella sighed. “I can’t give you the most sensible advice right now but, I do know that things happen, and you can never change them. And you won’t be happy until you forget them. That’s the way you survive in a relationship. You can’t hold onto that forever.”

“I know,” I said, a frustrated look coming onto my face. “I know that. That’s why I’ve been trying to let go of it but it’s just not that easy to wipe that memory off. Because I know how tough it was and I’m worried it will happen again.”

Stella looked at me in the eyes and shook her head. “I think you’re afraid of accepting your feelings for him because of your fear Skylar. You’re worried you’ll be put in that situation again. You don’t want it to be a mistake.”

“Maybe..”

“But, you won’t know until you try. Just give it a chance. Tell him your true feelings. Or, figure them out first. Both of you have been living a separate life and you weren’t happy. And now you actually feel good being with him. That should definitely mean something.”

I nodded at her. She was making sense. Maybe I should figure it out myself. Figure out my feelings towards him.

“Hey, you!” Jen’s voice reached out ears before she could. “What the hell are you two doing here? Cassidy is corrupting your kids with her words and you guys are having your own chit-chat?”

“What?” Stella’s face paled. “What’s the bitch doing now?”

“Hey, Ben won’t like it if he hears you saying her that.” I said.

“I don’t care, do you know what she did?” Stella said. “She told our girls to say ‘fuck’ whenever they catch me kissing Ben.”

“What!” I paled in response.

“Yes.” Jen said. “And now she’s teaching them how to say screw you.”

“I’m going to kill her,” Stella said with a scowl. “And her brother for inviting her here.”

Stella walked away and left me with Jen. She pulled me towards the other girls who were drinking.

“Where were you guys? We met Ethan but he said you were right behind him.” Lucy asked as soon as we came.

“Stella and I were talking about things..” I said. “Did you guys order something for me?”

“What, you’re not drinking!” Lana said. “We don’t want the history to repeat.”

“At least some fruit juice?” I pleaded.

“Kyle spiked our juices. It won’t be difficult for him to spike yours too.” Jen said.

“Why would he do that?” I said and shook my head. “Don’t answer that, I take my question back. Kyle doesn’t need a reason to be an idiot.”

“Well, he’s an idiot so I’m not going to defend him on this,” Lana said and gulped her drink.

“When have you ever supported him?” Lucy asked with a chuckle.

Lana thought for a moment. “You’re right.”

“What are you girls talking about?” Kyle’s infamous voice ran in my ears and I craned my neck to look behind my shoulder.

“We were talking about shit.”

“We were talking about you.”

Jen and I shared a look at our responses.

Jen grinned, "Well, they're both the same.”

Kyle ignored her comment. “I didn’t meet the girls. Who’s going with me?”

“I didn’t either. Let’s go.” I said and we walked towards the girls.

“You sure you guys still want the divorce to happen?” Kyle asked, right after we stepped away from the girls.

I turned my head around to look at him. “Why are you asking me this now?” I chuckled.

“Well, Ethan just said you guys are still up for it. I was just trying to hear it from your side.”

I halted in my steps. I felt as though a giant hollowness crept into me and I felt light all over. Kyle frowned and looked back at me and rose his eyebrows up in question.

“What?” He said.

“Did Ethan say he was going to give me a divorce?” I asked again, the thought suddenly feeling very disturbing to me.

“Well, yes. He just did. Why would you ask that? I thought that’s what you guys were planning to have since the beginning of this marriage.” He asked. “Skylar, are you all right?”

“Yes, I’m fine.” I said, “I’m sorry, it just caught me off guard..”

“Well, You didn’t answer me yet..” Kyle wriggled his brows playfully at me. “Do you want a divorce?”

“Well. if that’s what he wants, then I’m fine with it,” I said, looking down to stare at the ground.

“Skylar, you can’t do it if you’re just fine with it,” Kyle said, a concerned look plastered on his face. “Tell me what you really want. If you don’t want it, I can help you crack some sense into that asshole.”

I can’t tell Kyle about what’s happening. If I do, then I’m sure he’s going to tell it to everyone so that everyone helps him convince Ethan. But Ethan won’t be convinced about it because he’s probably not wanting to be in this marriage like I am. He is going to disagree and I’m going to look like a fool who’s turned down by him already.

So I told him what I never thought I wanted. “No, Kyle. That’s what I want. I want this marriage to end as soon as possible.”

“Okay.” A saddened expression settled on his face while he gave me a weak look. “You know we wanted you to be together.”

“We don’t always get what we want to have.” I said, blinking away the tears in my glassy eyes.

“Hey, Ethan, what are you doing here?” Kyle’s cheerful voice returned as he looked over my shoulder.

I quickly blinked the tears back and looked over my shoulder to find Ethan standing right behind me. He has a very stern look plastered on his face and his eyes were full of remorse and regret. he looked. hurt. Like he was deeply disturbed by something. He sent clod vibes towards me as he ignored the clasp on my hand going to his fingers.

I frowned at his behavior and withdrew my hand. “Ethan.”

“Ben was searching for you,” Ethan said, not even sparing me glance. “He wanted help with something.”

“Okay.” I said, “Ethan, I-”

“Let’s go, Kyle. The boys are waiting for us.” He said and left with Kyle.

An unsettling feeling set inside of me as I watched him leave there. I suddenly felt very alone in the crowded room.

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