My Therapy

Chapter 23

Adriane's POV

We're laying on the bed and I felt tears rolled down Ella's cheeks as she tells the story of her past relationship and her dad. I felt all the pain she has been keeping, everything Margaret said during thanksgiving made sense now. 

For the past years, she's been blaming herself for what happened because she got back with her cheater ex-girlfriend. She convinced herself that if she could've just dumped that cheater, her dad should still be alive. I hugged her tight while she tells the story, letting her cry on my chest for as long as she can.

"It's not your fault, it was an accident" I whispered in her ear "Stop blaming yourself. You wouldn't do that in purpose. You love your dad so much and you wouldn't want anything bad happen to him" I said trying to make whatever she feels right now, lighter. Ella continued to cry after remembering the bad memories, until she fell asleep on my chest. 

Now I know why Ella hates liars and cheaters, because her ex-girlfriend is one - what an asshole! Who in the right mind would cheat on this gorgeous, kind-hearted and wonderful person. If I ever cross path with that cheater, I'm gonna punch her face til no one can recognize her.

-----

I got up early because I have basketball practice for today. I left the apartment and Ella's still asleep. I didn't woke her up, she had a long day yesterday. 

When I arrived the gym I saw Meg sitting on one of the benches. "Hey, you're early" I greeted her. "Yes, a bit too early. The locker room's still locked" she answered.

"Oh, really" I said slightly grinning. I know what's going on why it's locked, I'm just not sure if Meg does. I sat down beside her and we both waited for the locker room to open. 

"Finally!" Meg suddenly said while I was browsing on my phone. I looked at the locker door and saw one of the team's regular players step out. It's Nicole - shorter girl around 5'6" with black hair upto her shoulders and fair skin.

"I thought it will never unlock!" Meg exclaimed giving Nicole a devilish smile. "Oh, hush! Go get changed now'' Nicole said giggling. Then Amber stepped out of the locker room, I looked at her and she looked away. I'm so confused now. 

I walked in the locker room with Meg and got changed before practice starts. "Meg? Nicole and Amber are uh..." I tried to complete my question. "Just keep it to yourself, I only knew about it because Nicole is my neighbour" she answered. "Uh, okay" I said still don't have a clue what the hell is going on. 

Stephanie told me that the whole team knows about her and Amber. Then suddenly a regular player is with Amber locking the locker room for their own privacy. This is crazy!

I kept deciphering what's going on that I lost focus on our practice. "Focus Adriane!" Stephanie yelled as Josie stole the ball away from me probably the third time on this game.

"You're not yourself today, you okay?" Stephanie asked "Y-Yeah, maybe I'm just tired from work" I answered not looking her in the eyes. Seriously, how can I answer that question honestly when I just saw her girlfriend stepped out a room with a different girl.

When practice was over, Amber told me to go in her office. I took a quick shower and went there as instructed.

"You want to talk about something, coach?" I asked politely. "Sit down, Adriane. You seem to be distracted earlier" she said. "I'm just a bit tired from work" I lied making sure I won't meet her eyes.

"What you saw earlier, just keep it to yourself. Okay?" she suddenly spoke. I looked at her seriously and said "What about Stephanie?"

"She doesn't know about it. Only Meg does and now you. None of the newbies know about me and Stephanie aside from you, you get the idea" she replied. "I'm confused, did you and Stephanie broke up?" I asked, then she laughed hysterically at me. "Come on! Are you serious? You haven't had flings before even you have a girl?" my eyebrows scrunched down and I felt my hands shaking. 

"Oh man! You're a good boy aren't you? Well, sometimes you have to try different flavours of ice cream to know which one's the best" she continued with an annoying smile planted on his face. 

My eyebrows still scrunched down and I'm doing everything on my will not to punch this asshole. After knowing how my Ella was hurt by a cheater, I'm now here facing a person who's clearly born to cheat.

"I'm sorry, I don't play like you. I won't tell anyone about what I saw but you can't make me understand you" I said and stood up, I'm done with this stupid conversation.

"I'm sure with your good looks you have had girls willing to undress in front of you, even you don't ask them to. Why not try them out? I'm sure you'll make girls scream your name every night" she still insisted on playing like she does. 

"I really don't do what you do. I love my girl and I don't want to hurt her. Like I said, you can't make me understand you" I replied and walked towards the door. "I love Stephanie, I'm just tasting other flavours. You know how it goes, when things aren't that exciting anymore you need to find a new hobby but it doesn't mean you no longer want the things you love" she continued to explain herself.

"Whatever you say, I'll leave now" I opened the door and left her office. My fist are still clenched trying to hold my anger, I really want to punch that stupid face. Who the hell she thinks she is to play around like that, I took a deep breath - I'll just leave everything to karma, I said to myself.

*****

Amber's POV

Well that's funny, she doesn't know what she's missing. Her good looks will just go into waste, I said to myself thinking about what Adriane said.

"Babe ready to go home?" Stephanie entered the room as soon as Adriane left. "Yes, I'll be out in a minute. "Okay, I'll wait for you in the car" she said and walked towards the parking lot. 

Nicole and I have been hiding what we are doing for the past 3 months. I never expected Adriane would know. Meg accidentally saw me going to Nicole's house and she asked Nicole about it. That's how she knew about us and since then Nicole and I tried to find a different place where we can meet. 

We just did it today in the locker room because Stephanie was not with me last night, so I have free time before she gets here. I guess Nicole and I need to find a different place again to get our deeds done.

I stepped out and locked the gym. While walking towards my car I saw a familiar face walking in to the parking lot as well - it's Julia.

"What the hell are you doing here?" she asked and crossed her arms. 

"Well I wo-" "Let me guess, your ex-girlfriend dumped you because you cheated with her friend and now you're here picking your b***h up to show your poor ex-girlfriend what she's missing" she said interrupting me and looked at Stephanie who's waiting in my car.

"Thank God Ella dumped you! You never changed, asshole" she continued not giving me a chance to reply. Then got into her car and drove off.

I got in my car and Stephanie asked "Who was that?" "She's an old friend" I answered.

I tried to think about what Julia said, then I chuckled. I finally recalled what Julia was referring to. Ella and her saw me at the bar with Nicole. Maybe she thought that Nicole was my girlfriend and Stephanie is the one I am cheating with - that's hilarious.

"Babe? why are you laughing?" Stephanie asked curiously. "Nothing babe, I'm just glad we'll be together tonight. I missed you" then I kissed her lips.