You Deserve Better

Chapter 6

Sam

I walk into the bar with Tessa at my side. She told me earlier that this place served the best burgers. I couldn't help but to agree and come. I loved food and I loved burgers. We get a booth in the far corner and I look around and notice this place didn't look too bad. There are posters and graffiti plastered all over the wall, in the corner is the bar rail with people sitting on metal stools, and a stage. It looked cool. My type of spot.

I pull out my laptop and Tessa arches her eyebrows before chuckling, "You're going to give yourself a migraine, Sam."

I frown. "Its due tomorrow night." I run my fingers through my red curls and tap away on my laptop. I was trying to recreate a building and follow the instructions our professor assigned but the project was more difficult than I thought. Tessa sits across from me looking over the menu. "Curly fries or Onion Rings?"

"Onion Rings." My mouth instantly waters. I look up. "They have Onion Rings?" I question.

Tessa chuckles, "Yeah! They're really popular. I think I'll go with curly fries though."

I ignore my assignment for a few moments and begin to look over the menu. "Wow." I mutter to myself. Tessa leans over the table and glances at what I'm looking at. She gives me an odd expression before smiling. "That's what you want?" She questions.

"Yes." I say instantly.

She laughs again. "Anything for you." She finishes with a wink.

The server finally approaches our table. She apologizes for the wait and ask what we want to drink. The both of us order beer and then we begin to order, "I will like the Chicago with no lettuce or tomatoes and an extra side of barbeque sauce." Tessa says.

"Side?" The server questions.

"Curly fries with cheese."

Tessa finishes and then the servers glances at me. "Um." I clear my throat. Usually Miranda would order the food unless we were at one of my places. I shrug. It's seems to be near impossible to not think about her. "I want the Rancher with extra mozzarella cheese, loads of your famous house sauce, and extra bacon." I finish. "With onion rings."

The server arches her eyebrow and Tessa is laughing. I look at the both of them in confusion. I almost blush embarrassed. Everyone I hang around understood my huge appetite. "I really appreciate food." I explain.

The server nods and walk away. Tessa continues to laugh and I roll my eyes playfully before opening my laptop to work. Tessa groans, "Sam. Come on." She whines. I look up and she gives me a playful pout. "We should be enjoying ourselves."

I chew on my bottom lip. "I don't mean to be rude..."

"You're not." Tessa replies. She gets up and move next to me. Closer. "I shouldn't have pressured you here when you had tons of homework to complete. I just couldn't help myself."

Before I could respond she's grabbing my laptop and tapping onto the screen. We work on the assignment together and it's complete in no time. "I have a lot to learn." I say shutting the laptop.

"You learn as you go." Tessa shrugs. "I'm just lucky my mom let me play around on her programs when I was a socially awkward teenager."

"No way." I mutter sipping my beer. "I don't believe you."

"I'm serious." Tessa smiles. She flips her jet black hair and I take notice to how long and straight it is. "I didn't come out of my shell until my senior year of high school."

"What changed?" I question curiously.

"A girl." She leans over and whispers in my ear. I blush and she pulls back and explain. "I was that cliché weirdo who fell in love with the head cheerleader." She roll her eyes at herself. "The best and worst thing that ever happened to me." Tessa shifts uncomfortable. "She pulled me out of my shell but broke my heart in the process."

"I'm sorry." I mutter.

Tessa sips her beer. "It's okay. I blossomed into a beautiful person, even gained some friends. I shed a few tears and left her in the past."

"That's good." I reply with a huge smile.

I then excuse myself when our food is placed on the table. I hurry and rush to the restroom, wash my hands, and then head back to the table. I take a seat with a huge grin on my face and bite into one of the onion rings. We begin to eat in silence and I moan with each bite. My taste buds was jumping in excitement.

"These are so good." I moan with a huge smile.

"You're always in such a great mood." Tessa comments. "Tell me." She pushes. "How did your ass-hole ex-girlfriend get so lucky?"

I shift uncomfortable. I didn't want to talk about Miranda. "It's a long story." I answer instead. "But, I love her. I will always love her."

Tessa looks at me oddly. She takes a huge sip of her drink. "Woah." She mutters. "I wasn't expecting that."

"I know." Was my response. "It's complicated and kinda pathetic. I think it's best to just tell you straight up that I'm still in love with her. We're working things out and I don't want you to get the wrong idea about any of this. I'm saying this because it will be unfair to you and I'll feel like shit for the rest of my life because you're so cool and fun to be around."

"I told you this wasn't a date, Sam. No pressure remember." Tessa smiles but I could see the frown she was trying to hide. I sigh. I didn't want to make this awkward. "But, I'll back off. I just think you deserve someone better than Miranda."

I freeze and almost choke on my beer. My eyes widen and I ask, "Wait what?"

Tessa shifts awkwardly but she speaks calmly, "I know." She explains. "I know about you the two of you."

"How?" I question. There is no point in denying it. I was actually grateful that I didn't have to give her a long drawn out story on how Miranda and I got together. "Who told you? Rose." I guess.

Tessa snorts and sip her beer. "No Rose didn't tell me. I had my suspicions. No one just pops up randomly like that and not have a reason too. I also spoke to her recently."

"You what?" I ask while furrowing my eyebrows in confusion. "When?"

Tessa shifts uncomfortable, "A few weeks ago." She answers. "Everything was confirmed then. We sorta exchanged words."

"What happened?" I push. So many scenarios was going through my head and Miranda hasn't even told me about this.

"No much." Tessa sigh. "She was insulting me and I couldn't help myself. She's mean as fuck. How do you even deal with that?"

"You have no right." I frown. "You don't know her."

Tessa chuckles, "Seriously? Whatever, Sam. I was taking up for you."

"I didn't need you to take up for me." I explain. "You may have made everything even more complicated. You don't even know what's going on." I push. I then stand annoyed and grab for my wallet. "Food on me. I should go."

"Wait." Tessa stands immediately. "I'm sorry. You're right. I fucked up."

I shake my head and run my fingers through my hair.

"Stay." She says. "You're right. I shouldn't have involved myself. Plus." She adds. "Your food is half done. You don't want to waste such a good burger right?" She finishes with a force chuckle.

I take a seat and eye her warily. I then take another bite of my burger. I swallow and say, "Don't try to be my knight, Tessa. I don't need one. Miranda isn't that bad..." I start.

"You don't have to explain anything to me." Tessa says. "Even though this isn't a date. Let's agree to not bring up our exes."

"Deal." I smile while stealing her fries. "These are good."

[][]

I wake up the next morning with a massive headache. I check my phone and there are no messages from Miranda but a few from Nathalie and Tessa. I groan and roll over. I didn't sleep good because I was up all night thinking about the fight Miranda and I had. She's so impulsive. She didn't have the right to randomly stalk me anymore.

When we were dating I didn't mind it. It was a Miranda thing that ran through her blood. But, now. It was unfair and unhealthy to the both of us. I get out of bed and shower before putting on clothes. I open the door and walk into the main room. Rose was sitting on the couch watching Tv and Nathalie was in the kitchen cooking breakfast. She turns around and smile brightly. I arch my eyebrow. Brighter than usual. "Good morning." She greets me.

"Morning." I mutter.

She pouts, "Are you in a sour mood?" She questions. "Here. Sit down." She basically pushes me down into the chair. She then walks over towards the stove and grab a plate. She then put a full plate of food in front of me. My mouth waters. Bacon, eggs, and waffles. I begin to dig in and Rose walk into the kitchen. She frown. "Where is my plate?" She ask.

Nathalie ignores her and take a seat in front of me. "What's wrong?" She questions me. "You're not even eating with excitement."

"No." I say. "It's delicious, Nathalie."

"Talk to me." Nathalie pushes.

Rose stand behind her and groan. She then moves toward the stove and begin to fix her own plate. She then take a seat at the table before eating. "I do remember it was me giving you several orgasms last night."

"Rose." Nathalie shouts with a red cheeks. "Stop it."

"What." Rose frown. "I think I deserve for my plate to be fix."

I roll my eyes at Rose childish antics. "Put a ring on her finger then or shut-up." I snap.

Rose drop her fork and it clatters loudly against the plate. I eye her but she avoids looking at me. Nathalie looks at me oddly, "Are you sure you're okay?"

I stand up, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't be ruining your after-morning glow. I'll see you two later. I want to be alone."

Rose looks at me skeptically, "Whatever, dude. Don't you think it's time to stop whining over Miranda."

"What?" I ask with more of an attitude than necessary.

Nathalie looks between the two of us. Rose continues to stab her eggs and bacon. "I'm guessing you're upset because of what happened last night. Grow up and go tell her how you feel. Miranda is a grown woman. She will be okay."

"Stay out of my business."

"It's really not your business when everyone know what's going on and it's literally affecting everyone." Rose frown. "I don't give a shit about anyone but when it comes to Nathalie I can't help but say something. You and Miranda chose this life and when you did it dragged other people into you guys shit."

"Rose." Nathalie tries.

But, Rose ignore her and she continues to talk, "Nathalie won't tell you because she's such a good ass person. But, I don't give a fuck about your feelings Sam. You don't choose to be an asshole when things is not going your way with Miranda. Learn how to hide that shit. It's fucking annoying."

"Rose." Nathalie says sternly.

"Okay. I'm done." Rose pouts. "I'm sorry."

Nathalie roll her eyes and I ask, "You agree with her?"

"Sam..." She says my name instead.

"Whatever." I frown. "Rose right. We need to have a real conversation. I'll go do it today."

"Thanks." Rose announces. "I'll probably actually get some rest."

Nathalie smacks Rose shoulder and the other tattooed girl scowl, "I thought you said you wanted me to be more compassionate and willing to help others."

I chuckle and roll my eyes at the two before grabbing my things and leaving the house. I pull out my phone and message Miranda.

We need to talk.

I go and grab food and coffee and moments later I get a response.

Fine. Come over. I'm home.

-Miranda.

[][]

I get to her place and let myself in. I frown. I still had her key on my key ring. I never even thought to take it off. My feelings were all over the place. I walk further into the condo and Miranda is dressed in her usual attire. Tight fitted skirt, with a blouse, and expensive shoes. She was speaking on the phone to a client. She looks at me and eyes me before saying, "I didn't hire you for excuses. Get me those papers." She then hangs up the phone.

I stuff my hands in my front pockets. "Hey."

"Hello, Sam." She replies. "Do you want something to drink?" She questions and move across the floor elegantly.

"I'm okay." I tell her but she head into the kitchen and grab two water bottles before coming back into the living room. She sits elegantly on the couch and waits patiently for me to speak. I couldn't find the right words. "What happened last night?" I say.

Miranda is sitting straight up but I can see her finger twitch nervously, "You went on a date and I'm upset."

"I didn't go on a date." I stress. "Tessa and I are just friends."

"That is how relationships usually start." Miranda says stubbornly. I roll my eyes and inhale annoyed. "If you wanted to take it slow then why are you hanging out with her? She likes you, Sam. I can see it."

"I can hang out with who I want to hang out with, Miranda. You can't control everything."

"I don't care who you hang out with." Miranda sneers. "Don't place me on such a childish pedestal. Tessa wants to ruin what we have. She literally told me herself. I didn't think I would actually worry about her but I guess I was wrong." She finishes.

"You're talking about after you insulted her." I explain. "She was taking up for me."

Miranda chuckles madly, "That's full of shit. Why are you being so ignorant towards this situation? You break up with me, tell me let's try to take it slow, and now you're taking up for someone who doesn't even know anything about us. She's not even respectful enough to respect our relationship, Sam."

For some reason something in me finally snaps, "I broke up with you because you left!" I scream. Miranda jumps back in reflex. I never raise my voice at her, ever. But, I couldn't stop myself. "And for some stupid reason I still try to make amends with you. I try a different direction. But, you will never do that for me, Miranda. You can't even respect what I want. All you want to do is control me."

"That's not true..." Miranda starts.

"No." I hiss. "I've heard enough. We're done. I'm tired of your shit." I was so angry that tears was building up in my eyes. Angry tears. "I begged you to stay, Miranda and you left me again. My life is not something you can just play with. If I want to go fuck Tessa in the back of my car I have every fucking right. We are not together, Miranda. Get that through her thick skull. I'm done."

I then snatch my keys off the counter and Miranda jumps and look up at me with tears in her eyes. I groan internally. I literally couldn't stand how much I loved this woman. She looked like a broken puppy. I almost open my mouth to apologize but Tessa words flood my brain. You deserve better. Instead I say, "I'll bring you the moon if you asked for it, I risk my friendship with Nathalie for you, I risk my family acceptance for you. Everything I have done these past few years has been for you. But, you won't do the same for me."

I make my way to the door and slam it behind me. I then get into my jeep and speed off. I drive for miles and miles before parking my car in a familiar space. I shut the door and climb the stairs. I then beat on the door. The door swings open and the tall man in front of me smirks, "What the hell you're doing here."

I push him while stepping into the dark apartment. There is clothes discarded on the floor. The PS4 is on and a few bottles on the floor and some weed on the table next to some pills. I take a seat. He then comes and sit next to me before grabbing the controller. "The last time we were together you were screaming your ex-girlfriend name while I was giving you the best D of your life."

I shove him playfully, "Your pride is still broke, Ace?" I question.

"Nah." He unpause the game and grab the joint and pass it to me. "You'll always be my baby, love."