The Rebound

The Confrontation

Tiana

Bryce asks his assistant, Michael aka Mr. Navy Suit, to take me home. This time, it was just him. No more bodyguards.

As we approach my apartment, I could see Bryan waiting in the front steps. He has keys to the apartment, so I figured Kylie is probably home by now. And she probably won’t let him in.

I sighed. I was exhausted.. in every sense of the word. But apparently, today’s events are not yet over! I still have to deal with this asshole. Well, I guess it's better to get everything over done with today... I guess.

I thank Michael for the ride home as I exit the SUV.  I take a deep breath as I take a few steps towards Bryan. As I got closer, I noticed that he has a few red marks on his face… I assumed Kylie gave him a slap for me. That girl always has my back!

Bryan gets up from the steps and moves towards me.

“Who’s that and where did you come from?” He asks as the SUV drives away.

“You lost the right to ask me those questions yesterday, Bryan.” I tell him.

“Ti…” He tries to pull me into a hug but I push him away.

“Don’t touch me, Bryan. You disgust me.” I say, my voice a notch higher than usual.    

“I’m sorry, Ti. It was a mistake. I was drunk. We were drunk. I’m so sorry.” His hands were palm to palm and he was holding them against his nose and mouth.

“No, Bryan. You made that choice. I’m pretty sure you knew that you were on top of someone else, not me.”

A part of me was still hoping that he was so wasted... that he mistook her for me. But his silence meant that he did. Asshole!

I bravely held my head high and continued, “That was the rule we both made in our relationship. Cheating and abuse are deal breakers.”

“I know. I know. But please, Ti. Give me another chance. I made a mistake. She doesn’t mean anything to me. I’m sorry. Please don’t give up on us.”

“Ha!” I gave a sarcastic laugh. “Now, I’m the one who’s giving up on us? Asshole! You gave up on us the moment you f****d her. Who was she anyway?” I asked.

I never really saw her face. That night, the boys and the girls went to separate bars. When we were done, I went back to our hotel room. I entered our one-bedroom suite and found clothes scattered all over the living room. I had a horrible feeling in my gut. But a part of me was still hoping it wasn’t Bryan… I was hoping he lent our room key to one of the guys. Stupid right? But you know… generally, Bryan has been a great boyfriend. I mean, eight years, right?

So I curiously followed the moaning sounds coming from the bedroom. And there I saw him… Bryan. I didn't see his face. But I was certain that it was him. He was on top of a woman. They were too engaged in what they were doing to even notice me. So I left.

I know I should have confronted him right then and there, but I didn’t. I was shocked. I was heartbroken. And I guess a part of me still didn’t want to believe that our relationship of 8 years was over.

“Please, Tiana. You don’t want to know. It’ll just hurt more.” He says quietly while looking down at the pavement.

“I think I deserve to know, Bryan. Who was so f*****g important to throw 8 years away for? Besides, it will hurt just the same no matter who it is.”

“It’s not like that, Ti! She’s not important. And I don’t want to throw it away. I love you. I need you. Please, Tiana. Eight years… and it’s the only time I messed up. You have to forgive me.” He begs.

I find my voice rising. “I thought I knew you. I thought you loved me. I thought you needed me. But I guess I’m not enough.” Tears started flowing down my face. Bryan pulled me closer to him.

“Who was it, Bryan? I need to know.” I said to his chest.

“It was Valerie. I’m sorry, Ti.” He says quietly.

I pushed him away. “Valerie. Just great, Bryan! It had to be someone we all know. Just great! And I have to see you two again at the wedding! Just great!”

Valerie… we’ve hung out with her a couple of times.  She was a blonde bombshell... very beautiful and hot! And she was always openly flirting with the guys, right to our face. But we just ignored her, out of respect for Stan. They’ve been friends since they were three. Kylie and I never really liked her but Stan’s parents and her parents are good friends. And Stan said she was just a flirt, but she was harmless. Well, harmless my foot! 

“Ti! Please. Give me another chance. I’ll fix this.” Bryan pleaded.

“No, Bryan. There’s no way fix this. Can you unfuck her? We’re done. After the wedding, I hope I never have to see you again.” I tell him as I try to move past him to get to the door.

As I move past him, Bryan grabs my hand and kneels down in the pavement. “Marry me, Tiana. Marry me, please.” 

“Wow, Bryan. Eight years… I waited for you to ask me that question. In a heartbeat, I would have said yes. But now, you ask me? You’re an asshole. An asshole.” I yank my hands away from him and shut the door to his face.

The moment the door shuts, I fall to the ground and start bawling. I could hear Bryan begging through the door.

“Oh Ti!” Kylie runs to me and pulls me into a hug.

--

The next two days went by... Kylie took a leave from work and kept me company at home.

I cried… well, we cried... my miserable heart out over tons of alcohol, Chinese take-out and pints and pints of ice cream. Kylie and I sang along sad, breakup songs like two crazy people. We cried. We laughed. And we cried again.

Kylie was awesome as always. Just like when my Dad died… she let me cry my heart out. But she would also make me laugh.

She wanted to take Valerie out of the wedding… she was her bridesmaid. But I knew how close Valerie's family was to Stan's. I didn’t want Kylie's marriage to start with a dent on her perfect relationship with Stan and his family. Besides, it wasn’t just Valerie's fault… it was Bryan’s too. And Bryan was Stan’s best man. So there’s no changing that.

It's now, Tuesday... we were now lazing around the floor of the living room. We were listening to the Break up Playlist in Spotify.  And I 've completely forgotten about Bryce Andrews until I receive a text message from him.

       Hi Tatiana. This is Bryce Andrews. The papers are ready. Michael will pick you up tomorrow at 8am.            See you.

That's right... I need to get my miserable ass divorced.

I turn to Kylie, who's laying down in the living room carpet beside me.

“Oh Ky. By the way, I forgot to tell you. I had a one night stand.” I said innocently. 

I know I told Bryce we would keep this matter between us. But Ky doesn’t count. She’s like an extension of me.

“What??? When?? Oh my God, Ti. Tell me the details.” Kylie said excitedly. She got up from the floor and she was now almost on top of me. Her face was so close to mine. Her big brown eyes staring intently at me.

“In Vegas. The night I caught Bryan. I got drunk at the bar. The next day I woke up in his hotel room. I left before he woke up.” I explained.

“Oh God, Ti! I’m so happy for you." She says as she squeezes my cheeks. "Your p***y finally knows someone else other than Bryan. What does he look like?” She chuckles.

I laughed. She was right though. Other than Bryce… I’ve only had s*x with Bryan. 

“He was hot. Super hot! But unfortunately for me, between the bar and waking up the next day… I don’t really remember anything.” I giggled.

“You must have been so drunk. Well, good thing you guys didn’t do anything stupid." She says nonchalantly, as she gets off and lays back down in the carpet. "You know how some people get so wasted and end up getting married in Vegas.”

“Actually…”

“Tatiana Walsh!!! You didn’t!!” She gets up again. This time, she pulls me up into a sitting position as grabs both my shoulders, forcing to me to face her. Kylie’s eyes were ready to pop out of their sockets.

“He just texted me. We’re signing the divorce papers tomorrow.” I replied quietly.

“Oh my God. You did.” She covers her mouth in shock. “But wait, how did he get in touch with you? I thought you left him before he woke up.”

“He tracked me down on Sunday after he found the marriage certificate and confirmed it with the chapel. I was apparently still sober enough to sign my name and address. We even took a drunk, post-marriage selfie in his phone.” I said sarcastically. 

“Wow...Tiana. Your first one night stand and you end up getting married. You were always the overachiever.” Kylie laughs.

“Oh, I’m not done yet. You haven’t even asked me who my husband is.” I smirked.

“Pray do tell.” She mocks me.

“You are now looking at Mrs. Bryce Andrews.” I said proudly.

“THE Bryce Andrews?” Kylie was freaking out. 

“The one and only.” I giggled.

“Whaaaaaatt??????” Kylie screams.

I laughed so hard. I laid back down in the carpet. It took a few minutes for Kylie to calm herself down and position herself beside me.

“Wow, Ti! You’re Mrs. Bryce Andrews. A lot of girls would kill to be in your place right now.”

“I know right? But we’re getting divorced tomorrow.” I tell her.

Kylie props herself up on one elbow and faces me. “Is he as hot in real life?”

“Way hotter.” I giggled. “Too bad I don’t remember anything about having s*x with him.”

Kylie chuckles. “Well, maybe you can blackmail him for round two before signing the divorce papers.”

Kylie and I look at each other and her eyebrows mischievously arched at me. We both burst out laughing.