Shattered Bonds

EPISODE 31

Unknown to Tristan, Drake had run into his childhood sweetheart in London, which was why he hadn't had time for Tristan all this time. Calvin Clove was Drake’s childhood friend and first love. When they were just eight years old, Calvin had suddenly left the U.S. without a trace. Drake had cried for days, devastated by the loss of his best friend, the boy he had once sworn he would never be apart from. The pain had lasted for years, buried deep within him, until he met Jersey in London. But even Jersey had no idea that Calvin was the real reason Drake had postponed their return to America for university.

Jersey, noticing Drake’s strange behavior, decided to confront him. He went over to Drake’s family house, determined to get answers. As he stepped inside, he finally saw him. Drake sat casually on the couch, laughing—laughing—with someone Jersey didn’t recognize. His stomach twisted. Tristan had been breaking his heart over this guy, and here was Drake, acting like nothing was wrong.

Drake,” Jersey’s voice was firm, clipped.

Drake turned, his face lighting up. “Jersey! Man, You are here.”

Jersey ignored him, eyes flicking to the stranger beside him.

Drake noticed and quickly stood up. “Oh, right. Jersey, this is Calvin Clove. Calvin, this is Jersey, one of my closest friends.”

Calvin extended a hand with an easy smile. “Nice to meet you, man. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Jersey didn’t move. His mind was already racing, putting the pieces together. Calvin. Clove.

The name struck him like lightning.

Calvin—the childhood sweetheart.

Calvin—the boy who had disappeared without a trace.

Jersey inhaled sharply. The puzzle fit too well, and now everything made sense. Why Drake hadn’t answered Tristan’s calls. Why he postponed their return to the U.S. Why he had completely checked out.

Jersey exhaled sharply before turning on him. “I want to get something straight here. You told me you've been too busy. Too busy to hang out with me. Too busy to pick up Tristan’s calls nor call back. Too busy to even send a damn text and you even postponed our going back to America.” He stepped closer, his voice dropping. “And now I find out it’s because of him?”

Drake sighed, shaking his head. “Jersey, come on, you’re making it sound like I committed some huge crime.”

Jersey let out a humorless laugh. “A crime? Drake, do you even hear yourself? Tristan is going crazy worrying about you, and you’re here playing house with your childhood sweetheart?”

Drake’s expression hardened. “I am not playing house. I ran into Calvin. We haven’t seen each other in years. We’re just catching up.”

“Catching up?” Jersey scoffed. “That’s your excuse? What exactly are you going to tell Tristan, huh? ‘Oh babe, sorry I ignored your calls for weeks, I was just reconnecting with my long-lost first love?’”

Drake’s jaw tightened. “I’ll tell him the truth of course.”

Jersey stared at him in disbelief. “The truth? The truth, Drake, is that you chose to follow me to London after I told you not to. You chose me over Tristan. And now, you’re choosing Calvin over him. Again.”

Drake’s eyes darkened. “Jersey, stop twisting this. I’m not choosing anyone over Tristan. And besides, Nathan was there to keep Tristan company during the holidays. I figured—”

Jersey’s temper flared. “Nathan is his best friend! You keeping Tristan company and Nathan keeping Tristan company are not the same thing!” He took a step forward, voice low but seething. “You can’t just expect Tristan to be waiting around for you while you’re busy reliving your past with Calvin.”

Drake’s expression faltered. For the first time, doubt flickered in his eyes.

Jersey shook his head. “Tristan called me. He’s worried sick about you. And you? You’re here, acting like it’s no big deal.” He exhaled harshly. “I’m going back to the U.S. tomorrow. I’ve already wasted three extra days waiting for you, and I’m done. I can’t waste any more time while you’re here playing happy reunion with your childhood sweetheart.

Drake clenched his fists. “Jersey, you’re overreacting.”

Jersey stepped closer, lowering his voice. “No, I’m not. But you? You’re underestimating the damage you’re about to cause. Be careful, Drake. If you don’t handle this right, you’re going to lose Tristan. And I promise you, once he’s gone, there’s no getting him back.”

With that, Jersey turned on his heel and walked away, leaving Drake standing there, speechless.

London – The Night Before Departure

Drake walked back inside, masking any turmoil that Jersey’s words had stirred within him. Calvin noticed immediately.

“You good?” Calvin asked, tilting his head.

Drake forced a smile. “Yeah. Just needed some fresh air.” He settled back onto the couch. “Actually, I’ll be heading back to America tomorrow.”

Calvin’s brows lifted slightly. “Oh? That’s cool. No worries, I was actually planning to go there soon anyway.”

Drake blinked in surprise. “Wait, what?”

Calvin chuckled. “Yeah, my dad’s got a branch of his company over there. I need to check in, make sure everything’s running smoothly.”

Drake leaned forward, his excitement evident. “That’s amazing! How long are you staying?”

Calvin shrugged casually. “About a month, give or take.”

Drake’s face lit up. “That’s perfect!”

Calvin smirked. “Perfect, huh? You sound a little too happy about that.”

Drake laughed. “I mean, come on. We haven’t seen each other in years, and now we get a whole month to hang out? Feels like fate, doesn’t it?”

Calvin held his gaze for a beat, his smirk softening into something unreadable. “Yeah, maybe it does.”

They spent the rest of the night catching up, reminiscing about their childhood, laughing over memories long buried.

---

Back in America – Tristan’s Suspicion

Tristan rushed inside the moment he got home from class. He had heard from Jersey that Drake was back, and his heart pounded as he searched for him. When he found Drake standing on the balcony, talking on a video call, he hesitated. Something about the way Drake was smiling—so effortlessly, so warmly—made his stomach churn.

Steeling himself, Tristan called out, "Drake."

Drake turned, his expression shifting as he saw him. He quickly ended the call. "I’ll talk to you later, Calvin." Then, he ended the call and turned to Tristan with a smile.

Tristan moved forward, wrapping his arms around him. “I missed you so much.”

Drake hugged him back, but something was off. The warmth wasn’t the same. Tristan felt it. He ignored it.

“I missed you too,” Drake said, but it was almost... distracted.

Tristan pulled back, forcing a smile. “I, uh... I begged one of your coursemates for his notes. I copied everything you missed these past three days.”

Drake nodded, glancing at his phone. “Thanks, babe. That’s really sweet of you.” He leaned in and placed a quick peck on Tristan’s cheek.

Tristan’s smile wavered. Something about Drake felt... distant.

He sat beside him. “So... how was your trip? Why didn’t you call? Or at least text me back?”

Drake didn’t even look up from his phone. “Ah, yeah. Sorry, I was just super busy.”

Tristan stared at him. “Busy?”

Drake hummed, still typing.

Tristan’s hands clenched. “Is your phone that important right now?”

Drake sighed, barely glancing at him. “It’s something important. Just give me a second.”

Tristan’s heart sank.

“A second?” His voice came out quieter. “You can’t even put your phone down for a few minutes and talk to me?”

Drake finally looked up, exasperated. “Tristan, not now, okay? Just wait until I’m done, then we can talk.”

A cold feeling crept up Tristan’s spine.

“Got it,” he muttered, standing up. He didn’t wait for a response. He just walked away, feeling something crack inside him.