All crumbles
1004 Words
*Amber*
I wake up the next morning, realizing I'm falling helplessly in love with Micah despite my better judgment. He thought it best to wait until today to talk to Luca about what happened. After the intense encounter in the kitchen, Micah told me to pack a bag and brought me to his house. He encouraged me to take a long shower, making sure I washed every trace of Luca away. I understood why.
He made dinner for me, and we spent the evening watching a movie, enjoying what felt like a real and healthy relationship. When we went to bed, it wasn't just about intimacy; it was about making love.
Micah stops the car outside Luca's house. I have already texted him, asking if we could talk, and he agreed. Micah turns to me and says, "We are on the same page, right? You are going to tell him you made a mistake, and that you're with me now and can only be his friend?"
"Yes, Micah," I reply, feeling a bit guilty. I know Micah is punishing both me and Luca, but I have to do this. I can't lose him.
We walk up to the door, and I ring the bell. A minute passes before Luca opens it and, seeing Micah, sighs. "Oh, you are here too."
"Yes, I am, Luca. Get used to us being a thing. Amber has something to tell you." Micah stares at him, and Luca rolls his eyes, letting us in.
We enter the living room, and Luca sits on the couch. I sit on the edge of the coffee table in front of him while Micah stands protectively in the background.
"What does he want you to tell me, Amber?" Luca asks, glancing at Micah, who returns a dirty look.
I sigh, feeling guilty about the tension between them. "Luca, this isn't about Micah... I have to tell you that yesterday was a mistake. I panicked and acted out. I'm sorry I dragged you into it."
"It's okay, Amber. It's not like I didn't enjoy it," he says, patting my knee gently.
I bite my lip. "Luca, we are still friends. Hopefully, we always will be. But I'm with Micah now, so what happened yesterday can't happen again, okay? And I need some distance, just for a while."
"Okay, if that's really what you want." Luca leans over, kisses my cheek, and stands up. He smiles, but it's not a happy or friendly one. I don't like it.
"But maybe you will change your mind when you hear the truth." He looks at Micah, who suddenly seems panicked.
Luca walks slowly over to Micah, and I watch as Micah shakes his head, pleading with Luca. "Luca, please don't ruin this."
"What, Micah? I just wanted to congratulate you on winning our little bet. I guess I owe you a holiday." Luca extends his hand to Micah.
Micah doesn't shake it and instead looks at me. "Please, Amber, it doesn't matter anymore. It hasn't for a while. It was a stupid mistake."
"What are you talking about, Micah? What bet, Luca? What's going on?" I stand up, looking at both of them, confused and hurt.
Luca looks far too smug. "Well, how did you put it, Micah? Something about you easily being able to tame that 'wild wolf,' wasn't it? And I will give it to you, you actually did it. So you win."
"Amber, please, let me explain, I..." Micah doesn't get a chance to finish before I confront him.
I have never been so angry in my life. He deceived me, manipulated me. He made me fall in love with him, and for what? "This was a bet, Micah? I was nothing but a stupid bet to you?"
"Darling, please, let me explain. Yes, it was a bet, but..." I slap him hard, cutting him off.
I'm absolutely furious, wanting to hit him, kick him, vent my hurt and anger. "I never want to see you again, Micah. You are dead to me."
I hear Luca chuckling softly, and I whip around, slapping him just as hard. "Don't think you're any better, Luca. You were my friend, I trusted you. I don't want to see either of you ever again. I hope you are proud of yourselves, gentlemen. Goodbye."
With that, I turn around and walk out of the room, leaving them behind.
*Micah*
I can't believe Luca just threw me under the bus like that. "Wow, Luca, really? Are you going to pull that knife you just plunged into my back out again?" I stare at him.
Luca looks slightly embarrassed. After all I am his Alpha.. "But she deserved to know, Micah. She actually thought you cared about her. I could see that."
"For God's sake, Luca, why on earth do you think I forgave her for sleeping with you?" I glare at him.
Luca suddenly looks less certain. "But it was a bet. You just wanted to win. You never care about women, you told me that."
"Screw the damn bet. I don't care about it. I was going to tell you as soon as I could get you alone." I feel like curling up and crying.
"Oh," is all Luca manages.
I look at Luca, and then it just comes out, the truth I hadn't realized until now. "I love her, Luca. I freaking love her. And she's not just any woman… she is my mate. I can't just walk away from her."
"So do I, Micah. I know I said I didn't have romantic feelings for her, but I do, okay? I love her too." His eyes are wet with tears, and for a moment, we just stare at each other.
I shake my head. "Sorry, Luca, but it's too late for me to back down. I simply can't. Now excuse me, I have a wonderful woman to win back."
With that, I walk away, wondering how I'm ever going to get her back but knowing I have to.
- Writer
