Unforgettable Heartbreak

“What?” I was stunned.

“Yes, Rebecca. Drew Milton is dating Melanie’s friend, Phoebe Douglas. They were fooling around, and not just once. She has liked him for a long time, and he decided to give it a shot. You were a one-night stand. End of story. Accept it already and move on.

“He’s a jerk! He spent the night with you, and then the whole morning; he made you think that he cared about you. None of it was true.”

“I want to be alone right now, Kate…” I whispered. I didn’t feel anything. All my hopes were shattered. My heart was broken, which was exactly what I was afraid of.

“Don’t be silly! I wasn’t planning to tell you like that! But you needed to know! He’s an asshole. You could be with someone so much better than him.”

I started to walk faster. I wanted to run away from her and her words. Kate caught my arm.

“Stop! Rebecca! Where are you going?”

“I already told you. I want to be alone.”

“You’re stupid if you think that I’m going to leave you alone in your state.”

“Fine! But I am going to get drunk.”

I walked away from her. There was a pub near this area. I didn’t know what I was hoping for. I was underage, but I wanted to drink something strong. Drew hurt me. It was my fault, though.

In truth, he never really promised me anything, but his actions were telling me something different. He had slept with me, not once.

When we saw each other after his practices, it even felt like we were on dates and what I saw in his eyes when he came to me in the morning and when he waited for me at the dorm… Fuck! It doesn’t matter now.

He’s taken, just like Logan. I needed to pull myself together. Even when Adam cheated on me, I faced it with my head held high. I didn’t show anyone that I was bothered with the whole mess.

Now, I was ~a~ mess. It was ridiculous, honestly. The guy just fucked me, talked to me about his parents a little, listened to me, and brought me to lunch.

I managed to develop feelings for him, even got my hopes up about him—the most infamous playboy on campus. Fucking awesome!

Kate and I entered the pub, and I made a beeline for the bar. I caught the attention of the bartender. He was a young man in his twenties, with a kind smile.

He was cute and attractive, and I was sure that he was popular among women. His face was familiar to me. Maybe he graduated from the same high school. I couldn’t remember. Kate sat beside me.

“What can I do for you?”

“How about a Cuba Libre?”

“How about no.” I raised my eyebrow at him. His smile widened. “I know for sure that you’re underage. So, sorry, but not sorry.”

“Fuck.” I propped myself up on the bar counter with my elbows and buried my face in my hands. Great! Now I couldn’t even get wasted. Perfect!

“May I have a beer instead?” I asked and looked him in the eyes. They were blue, and he was smiling with them, even if he was not with his lips. “Please.”

“Sorry, Rebecca, but the answer is the same.” I was surprised that he knew my name.

He was older than me, maybe twenty-two or twenty-three. How on earth could he know my name?

Kate wanted to say something, but her phone buzzed. I saw the name ~Tim~ appear on the screen and sighed. She stood up and walked to the street. The music in the pub was loud enough.

“Fine. Could I have a latte, at least?”

“Do I look like a barista to you?” He smirked at me.

“Why do I get the feeling that you’re enjoying this situation too much?” I looked him over and saw his name tag—~Chase~. Still didn’t ring a bell. Who was he?

“Maybe I am.” He handed me a shot of clear liquid.

“What is it?” I took it but didn’t hurry to drink it.

“Tequila. And it’s just a one-time thing. Take it or leave it.”

“May I have a lime? I am not a fan of such strong drinks.”

“Here.” He gave me a lime, and I gulped down the whole shot, then bit into the lime. The bartender observed me; he took the glass from my hand and smiled when he saw that I ate the lime.

“So, what brought you here?” he asked casually.

“Asshole situation,” I said, shrugging my shoulders.

“Must be tough.”

“You have no idea. Tell me, Chase, how do you know me?”

“I didn’t make an impression on you.” He laughed heartily. “I am your ex’s cousin.”

“Do you mean Adam?” My eyes widened.

Now it began to dawn on me: yes, of course, it was Chase Farrell. We had seen each other at one or two family dinners that Adam had brought me to. He was 23 years old, if I could remember correctly.

“Yeah. This stupid fucker.”

“I am so sorry, Chase… I should have recognized you…”

“Nah... it’s okay. You only had eyes for Adam at that time. But it stings, though. I thought that I was unforgettable and charismatic.”

I laughed and relaxed a little. He was still lovely, just like I recalled from my previous exchanges with him.

“So, Chase, why is Adam a ‘stupid fucker’ now? He’s your cousin.”

“Yeah. The dumbest cousin. When I heard from my mom what he did to you… well, I just couldn’t get it, how he could ditch a beautiful girl like you. You are smart and hot.” He winked at me, and I laughed.

“I see that you’re already in a good mood, Becca.” Kate returned to the bar and stood near me.

“Yeah, all thanks to Chase. He’s a lifesaver.”

“Okay... Becca, since there is nothing for you to drink, maybe we could go home?”

“Thanks for the offer, but no.” I turned to Chase. He was studying us. “What time does your shift end?” I knew exactly what I was offering.

“Today at twelve. In two hours,” he said and waited for my reaction.

“Great. You can go home, Kate. Please, tell my mom if she asks you about my whereabouts that I met a friend and stayed with him.”

“Are you sure, Becca? Don’t you think that is unreasonable?”

“One hundred percent sure. Night, Kate,” I turned my attention back to Chase. He was smiling at me.

Kate shook her head but decided to leave. I was grateful to her for that. I spent two hours drinking some juice and eating some snacks. Chase kept his promise and didn’t give me any more alcohol.

He left me for some time when he served other customers, but he always returned to me. I saw some women looking in my direction; they were jealous, I could tell.

And I didn’t care.

After Chase’s shift was over, I walked with him a little through the streets of our hometown. He told me about his studies at the college and how he ended up as a bartender in this pub.

It was just a temporary stop for him. He wanted to go to New York, and now he was just making money, also from working in construction. Chase was a nice guy, and he didn’t ask questions.

He let me be, and for that, I was happy to be there with him. We got to his apartment, and there he took my leather jacket from me.

I looked him over as he strolled to the kitchen. He offered me some beer, but I asked for water. Chase was mature and good-looking.

Also, he was in good shape. He walked back to me and handed me the glass of water. I took a small sip.

Chase was standing close to me, but he didn’t do anything. Then he shook his head, walked to the couch in the living room, and sat down on it.

I walked over to him and placed the glass on the table near the couch. I stood right before him, forcing him to look me in the eyes.

I needed to let go of Drew. I wanted to erase my memories of him.

I wanted to forget his lips and hands on my body. I extended my hand to Chase.

“Where is your bedroom?”

He took my hand but continued to sit. He was hesitating. I was a little girl to him—his cousin’s ex-girlfriend, whom he saw at the family dinners. But I knew what I was doing.

I knew how attractive I could be, so I waited.

“Are you sure about this, Rebecca? I am used to it. I often spend my time like this. I don’t become attached to anyone. I don’t plan to stay here long, as I told you…”

“Chase... I need this. An asshole used me and... I let myself be misled. I allowed myself to imagine things, which never would have happened with him. I need to let it go.”

“Okay. But I like it rough, can you handle that?” He stood up from the couch and led me to the bedroom. Once there, he let go of my hand and walked to the bed.

“I think you will be surprised.” I smiled as I closed the door and walked to him.

“I am already amazed, Rebecca...” and he kissed me.

That night was precisely what I was hoping for. He brought me to the threshold of heaven, and not just once. Even if Chase said that he liked rough sex, he was extremely gentle with me.

I fell asleep in his arms and only left his house around 11 a.m. after having another round of sex and a very delicious breakfast. As I walked back home, I made a promise to myself.

I would start a new life at college.

I would study hard. I would find extracurricular activities for myself. And maybe, I could even find a part-time job?

I needed to occupy my time and my mind with something fulfilling. I made myself one more vow—the most important one. I wouldn’t let myself be misguided or tricked by any other guy. I will be smarter than that.

I started upholding my promise by deleting Drew’s number and any other traces of him from my phone.