Unexpected Advances

BECCA

It was seven years ago when Drew came to my hometown and invited me to spend time in LA. But before we were able to do that, we needed to stay here for my mom’s birthday.

This way, I had the opportunity to show him my favorite places and share the stories that happened to me here and there. I remember this day perfectly as if it were yesterday because I was happy. All because of Drew.

I started glancing at him. He was concentrating on the road, driving us toward this little restaurant we visited that day for dinner. My mom lectured us for sneaking out of the house, but we wanted to spend time alone. Just Drew and I. I hurt him so much, and still, he came here. Why?

The car stopped. Drew climbed outside and walked to my side. He opened the door for me and extended his hand. I hesitated. It was Drew. My Drew. Or not mine anymore. I wasn’t sure if they would be coming back to us after what happened—even friendship. I was very doubtful.

“Rebecca, I would never hurt you. You know me. I really just want to talk to you. As your friend.”

“Okay.” My voice sounded like a whisper. But he heard it, and his lips stretched into a smile.

I let him help me out of the car. He didn’t release my hand, walking me to the restaurant’s entrance. His touch was so tender and reassuring that I started to calm down. Drew opened the door for me and let me go in first.

I strode straight to the table near the window; coincidentally, it was empty and without a “reserved” sign.

As soon as we sat at the table, a waiter came to us. He was a young and very attractive man. He smiled at both of us, extending the menu.

“What would you like to try?”

“I thought about lasagna for me and pasta bolognese for my beautiful date. But it’s all on her. What do you say, Rebecca?”

“Sounds good. But can I have red wine too?”

Drew arched his eyebrow at me.

“What? You are the driver.”

“Can’t argue with that.” Drew laughed curtly.

“Then, lasagna and pasta with red wine.” Our waiter nodded at us and walked away. I locked eyes with Drew. A few seconds later, I averted my gaze. His stare was too intense.

“You don't look so good, Rebecca.”

“How very nice of you to say.”

“You’re gorgeous, don’t get me wrong. But you’ve lost too much weight. You don’t look healthy. And you seem… different.”

“Well, yeah. But I don’t care. I will be fine.”

“What happened?”

“What do you mean? I decided to return home. It’s where I belong.”

“Bullshit. Your place isn’t here. It’s in Philadelphia. You and I both know that.”

“Agree to disagree.”

“Rebecca, you know how I feel about you. But even I can’t close my eyes to how much you and Logan suit each other. And how much he loves you.”

“Stop. Or I will go home.”

“Your orders.” I narrowed my eyes and stared at Drew when the waiter returned. He placed our plates before us and left with a nod.

We started eating in silence. I knew that he was watching me, but I tried to ignore it. I promised to stay here, but not to talk to him. It was something that I wasn’t ready to do.

“Rebecca, I was there... I was with him at the club... Nothing happened.”

“I know what I saw.”

“Becca, really? You know that I would love to be with you so that I would have jumped on this opportunity. I would have told you if it was the case. Logan hadn’t cheated on you. Unfortunately for me.”

“And still. I believe in something that I saw, not in anyone’s tales.”

“You saw just photos from the club! Where Teresa was sitting near him. I looked over every single photo that was taken that night. There wasn’t anything more!”

This time I had enough. I reached into my bag and started frantically searching for my phone. I pulled it out, unlocked it, and in a few moments, handed it to Drew. He looked up at me, then took my phone and hit play. I watched as his features changed from confusion to anger.

“What a bitch! What a fucking bitch!” Drew placed my phone on the table. I saw as he clenched his jaw. He was someone who I knew so well. He was furious. “Rebecca, it’s one big misunderstanding. Now everything makes sense!”

“I have no idea what you are talking about,” I said. Seeing Drew that angry made me confused. What was the meaning of this reaction?

“That night, Logan sent her packing. He told her several times that he’s in love with you, and you are the only one for him. She didn’t like it. She’s not used to rejection. That girl is always surrounded by men and seeing someone she thought was under her spell telling her that he isn’t interested…”

“It doesn’t explain anything! Interested or not, he kissed her.”

“Rebecca, I was the one who fucked her that night. I did it just for fun. To take my steam off. While she had other thoughts in mind, she used me.

“That video… It was filmed months ago! When we had a threesome. She knew that I had it. She asked me to show it to her. Probably she sent it to her phone and sent it to you.”

“As if I was going to believe it,” I said quietly. It was too good to be true.

“Becca…” Drew placed his hand on my palm, and I looked up at him. “Look at this video again, please…”

I shook my head at him. I wondered why I even saved it. Was it as a reminder of men’s cruelty? Or as a reminder of my broken dreams?

“Babe, look at it... Look at his neck. You will understand,” Drew pushed my phone into my hand. My hand hovered over it. I was confused and scared. But Drew looked honest... I bit my lower lip and hit play.

This time, I focused solely on Logan, examining his naked body and features. I missed him so much that my heart swelled with pain.

Realizing one day that this man was mine, and the next day accepting that it wasn't going to happen, felt like my flesh being freshly cut with something very sharp. It was as if a part of my body had been ripped away.

Drew told me to look at Logan's neck. Wait a second... There was nothing there. His eagle tattoo was gone. The tattoo he got two months before the wedding. It's just... I looked up and saw Drew staring at me. A sad smile appeared on his lips.

“See? He loves you so much, Rebecca... I've never seen him that broken in my life. He's a fucking rock... But when you told him that you weren't coming back... You should have seen him.

“At first, he sat on the couch, his head in his hands. Complete silence. I couldn't get him to talk for more than two hours. When he finally spoke, he said you wouldn't be with him.

“He even suggested that I go to you. And try to convince you to be with me because he wants you to be happy. Even if not with him.”

“I… I don’t know what to say or what to do…” I nervously gulped down my wine. My hands were trembling.

“Rebecca, I love you. And I am sure that I can make you happy.” Drew caught my palm and held it between his hands.

“But you love him, and I can’t do anything about it. Logan is the one for you. No matter how bitter this sounds for me. So I want to make things right and for you and my best friend to be happy together.”

“Drew, I… I love you too, just not in the way you want me to…”

“Babe, you don’t need to explain anything to me. I made my peace with it. I will be by your side as your friend if you let me.”

I placed my other hand on his cheek and saw as he leaned to my touch. Drew was so nice to me. And I felt that he loved me for real.

My eyes veiled with tears. This situation was so twisted. I loved him in the past, and now I was in love with his best friend. I would love to make him happy too, but I couldn’t.

“Will you come with me? To Philadelphia?”

“Drew, I'm not so sure it's a good idea... He isn't expecting me to come... He told me... He told me that I'm crazy... And that he can't be with me while I have such big trust issues...”

“Logan will be the happiest man alive when he sees you. Believe me.”

I shook my head, biting my lower lip.

“Rebecca, please... Come with me. I will bring you to him.”

“I need time to change my clothes...”

“How about collecting your things? Aren't you planning to take something with you?”

“No... Better to go without anything. If Logan wouldn't want to see me...”

“You are a scared deer.” Drew's smile grew bigger. He waved to the waiter and paid our bill.

In fifteen minutes, I was in his car on our way to my parents' house. I was freaking out inside, trying to hide my mental state from him. But he felt me, he reached my hand and entwined my fingers with his. “Rebecca, everything will be more than okay.”

I sighed but let myself relax a little. It would be either make it or break it. And I decided to bet my all on it this time.