Flames Burn Bright

BECCA

My parents were shocked when they saw Drew and me on the porch of their house. Dad was angry as hell. And it was the first time in my life when he reacted like that.

The only reason why Drew was able to come inside the house was my mom. My dad refused to talk to him or me and strode to their bedroom on the second floor without even a glance in my direction. It was painful to watch. I felt like I was one big disappointment to my dad.

I went to my room, quickly changed into my light blue jeans and a simple white t-shirt. I stared at myself in the mirror. These days I didn’t even bother to wear makeup, so I decided to stay like this for now.

I made a one-sided braid. My hands were trembling with nerves. What was I doing? It was Drew who came to me. Not Logan. What if he had already moved on? What if I was too much for him?

But in all honesty, I wanted to take that risk. To try. To use this opportunity that Drew was giving me. If it was a mistake, well, not “if”. It was a mistake that I decided to believe this girl. I should have explained to Logan what happened, why I thought that he cheated on me.

If only I had told him about this video and her voice message, he could have had the opportunity to erase all of my doubts. He could have shown me that I was the one.

Because it was exactly what he had been doing since the day we decided to be a couple. He asked me to have faith in him, and I failed him.

I took my small travel bag and tossed in some clothes for a change, a few lingerie sets, and my cosmetics with perfume. Then I packed my documents, wallet, and charger. Done. I looked at myself again before leaving my room. My eyes were shining with determination. I hope it will be enough.

I went downstairs and found Drew leaning against the wall in the hallway, with my mom talking to him. She was whispering, but very loudly, so I had the opportunity to eavesdrop a little on what she was saying.

She said something about Logan. I caught a few words: Logan, doesn’t deserve, groupies. I instantly became anxious. I felt like I was suffocating. Instead of support, my mom was showing her disapproval.

“Are you ready?” Drew pushed himself off the wall and took a step toward the front door.

“Yes.”

“Rebecca, I think it’s stupid. You are making a mistake. If he truly loved you, he would have been the one to come to you. He would have tried to make you believe. Your feelings for Logan Jones are insanely twisted! It’s not healthy!”

“Mom…” I took a few steps toward Drew, but my mom caught my elbow.

“Look at you! Look at what happened to your body! To your pretty face! You lost almost 20 pounds! Your face is pale and emotionless! And it’s all because of him! I warned you. I told you that it…”

“Lydia, you are so wrong right now…” Drew stepped to my mom and placed his hand on her shoulder. “Your daughter and Logan… They are perfect for each other. They are ideal together. Because this thing between them… it was destined to happen and they were destined to be together.

“I want her to be happy with all my heart. And if you want it too, let her go to Logan. He loves her so damn much, and he would do anything for her. Trust me on this one… He is my best friend, and I know him as I know myself.”

“Yeah? Not very reassuring! You loved her but cheated on her. What’s the difference?!” Mom placed her hands on her hips. She was glaring at Drew, while I was standing with my mouth agape.

“It’s easy. Logan would never cheat on her. I was with him at this club. I saw how he was reacting to other girls’ attention. He didn’t give a fuck about any of them. He had been saying to every one of them that he had a beautiful girlfriend.

“And at the end of the evening, he even told me that he was planning to make their relationship public. So everyone will know that he’s out of the dating market..”

“How could you be so sure?”

“Lydia, if it were the case, it would have been me who would have sent this video to Becca. I would have used everything, even the tiniest opportunity to be with her. But I can’t. I can’t lie to her. I can’t stand in the way of Becca and Logan’s happiness. And they will be happy. I know they will.”

Mom was silent. She stared at Drew as if she were weighing her next words. Then she turned to me and placed her hand on my cheek.

“I love you so much, Rebecca. You are my beautiful angel, and it’s so hard for me to see you suffering. It breaks my heart, seeing you so miserable… Because I want you to be happy. And to be loved…”

Mom sighed. Her eyes softened. “Go to your quarterback. Give him a chance… And warn him, if he ever makes you cry again, I will cut his balls. And yours too.”

Mom said it and turned her head to Drew. He chuckled and nodded his head with a smile. I wrapped my arms around my mom’s shoulders and hugged her tight. I kissed her cheek, and before stepping back, I whispered in her ear.

“Thank you… I love you and Dad so much.”

“He loves you too, Rebecca. He will come around.” She was talking about Dad and his reaction. She understood that I was very sad that I made him upset.

“Rebecca, let’s go. Goodbye, Lydia.”

“Goodbye, Drew. Take care of her. She’s the most precious gift that this life gave to me.”

“Mine too.” Drew opened the front door and stepped outside. I followed him, waving to my mom before closing it.

We walked to the car. Drew took my travel bag and placed it into the trunk. He opened the door for me, and I climbed inside. I started fiddling with my fingers. Hell, how nervous I was. Because of the purpose of my journey. And well, because of what Drew told my mom.

He was the sweetest. I had never heard him say things like he did to my mom. He loved me, and his feelings were strong and on the surface even after all these years apart. And still… He was determined to bring me to Logan.

He wanted me to be happy. And he knew that in this case, it was Logan who would do it. That Logan was the one for me.

But Mom had a point; Logan could have made an effort. He could have tried to talk to me. To know why I was so sure that he cheated on me.

Instead, he said that I was nuts… Suggesting that I find a man who would be able to make me trust him. What if I was wrong? What if this thing between us was just temporary? Just pure lust and nothing more? I was so confused!

“Becca, we need to hurry. The plane to Philly will be in three hours, and we need to have time to buy tickets.”

“Why are you doing this?”

“Doing what?” Drew glanced at me.

“Why did you come? What Mom told…”

“Rebecca, stop this. I second what I said to your mom. I love you, and I am sure that I will always love you, but I am not the one for you. He is.”

“But he gave up so easily… Just hang up his phone and poof! No Rebecca in his perfect life.”

“You hadn’t seen his photos. He lost weight too. And he wasn’t seen at any social event. Games and practices are the only things that he’s doing these days. For his life to be perfect, he needs you.”

“I love him, Drew. That’s what I am sure of… But will we be able to see eye to eye? I jumped to the conclusion, without allowing him to defend himself. And he moved on with ease. Like him and I never even happened…”

“Babe, you are so full of doubts, when you should know better than anyone how much you mean to him. How much Logan loves you. How much he is yearning for you. Hell, he never loved anyone as strongly as he loves you.”

“Just like you,” I said and bit my lip. I should have stayed quiet.

“Yes. Just as I am, but I know when it’s time for me to step back. To help you and him. I've said enough shitty things about my best friend. I made you suspicious of him. Made you doubt that you will be enough for him.

“I even told you that we participated in threesomes, and not just once! I have no idea what I was thinking at that moment. Probably I tried to make you upset with Logan, not realizing how it would affect me. I was part of this too…”

“Drew…”

“Becca, listen… I am okay. Yes, it’s not the nicest feeling to know that the girl you love will never be with you again. That she belongs to another man. To your best friend. It’s hard to accept, but I have. I talked to him. I spent time with him discussing you…”

“And he deserves this chance more than anyone. Because you two are soulmates, and it should have been like that from the very beginning. The time wasn’t right. But now, it’s the right moment.”

“Thank you, Drew.”

“It’s nothing. But let’s not talk about it for now, okay?”

“Of course.”

The car fell into silence. It wasn't uncomfortable. We were both lost in our thoughts. Soon, I saw the airport from afar. My heart started beating faster. I was going to do it. I was going to get my man back. And this time, for good.