My Bestie’s Brother

When I Was Your Man

*John’s POV*

I was worried. I spent the whole movie occasionally watching her. She seemed so eager but the second the movie started, she seemed to be somewhere else. She didn’t touch her beer or food and just stared off. I was so worried I messed up, I just kept my distance.

Then Riley spoke. “John. I need to tell you the truth about Wyatt.” Wyatt? That asshole that came up with the punishment for Riley? I just assumed that he found her attractive and was just using her to get some sick thrill. I didn’t really know the guy, but I already didn’t like him. I looked into Riley’s eyes and said, “Okay just tell me. I’ll listen.” I meant that. I would listen to everything with no judgement. She seemed ready to speak.

*Riley’s POV*

I took a deep breath and prepared for these tears to fall. This would be so difficult, but I knew I could do it. I spoke, “Truth is, I used to date Wyatt. He was actually my very first boyfriend.” I stopped to gage his reaction, but he said nothing. He nodded and I understood that as to let me continue. “I was a year older than him in school. We dated on and off during that time and ended up realizing we were better as friends. He was my bestie. I could tell him anything and he didn’t judge me. It was all a coverup though. He would do something to hurt me and I would do something to hurt him. Finally once I graduated and moved away, it was apparently enough to hurt him beyond repair. I eventually came back home after about 6 months because I wanted to go to school, but I had met my ex boyfriend Ryan. Wyatt would try to still talk to me, but Ryan would get angry so I stopped messaging him to keep Ryan happy. I lost contact with Wyatt and had no idea what happened. I texted him last week to get back to how things were, but he coldly shut me out.”

That did it. The tears fell. I was so hurt by Wyatt and I didn’t know how I truly felt towards him. Maybe I still loved him or maybe it was hatred and frustration from his actions throughout our history. I kept sobbing as John rubbed my shoulder. After a few minutes, John calmly asked, “Is this the first time he’s treated you so cruelly?”

John was a nice presence. He deserved the truth. I had already thought of my memory but I left it before the hurt and betrayal by Wyatt. I shook my head and said, “No. Here’s the last time he treated me so cruelly. Please don’t judge me for this.” John shook his head and continued to rub my shoulder. I told him my first memory of Wyatt being cruel.

*FLASHBACK*

“Wyatt and I started dating my sophomore year of high school. I used to find him annoying in middle school, but he had matured and was more attractive. We spend the whole year being with each other and I found out right before school started my junior year that Wyatt suddenly wanted a break when he had another girl on his arms. I angrily went to a party where I got super drunk and ended up naked with another guy in my bed. We didn’t sleep together, but it was enough for things to go south. I started off my junior year going to school drunk. Our friend Mark knew I was drunk and helped me sober up and eventually helped me later stay off of alcohol. But he couldn’t save me from what happened the rest of the day.

Mark was an angel and went to the vending machines. He got me all the good snacks and wouldn’t take my money. I was able to sober up enough to get through the rest of the day to give my teachers a good impression. I heard whispers all day about something, but I couldn’t make it out. I assumed it was about some girls or if it was about me, it was that I was no longer with Wyatt. We got towards the end of the day and I headed to orchestra. I knew Wyatt was in there, but Mark would be there with us to be a barrier. I got in there and saw a group of girls whispering and glaring at me. I knew the whispers all day were about me now. I ignored them and started getting my trombone ready. My best friend Leah approached me and flat out asked me ‘Did you have s*x with another guy and cheat on Wyatt?’ I stared at her for a second and looked past her.

Wyatt was in a group of guys and talking loudly so that I could hear. ‘Yeah she had been cheating on me for 3 months and I didn’t know anything about it until my buddy Trey who works with her cleared my suspicions. She walked out of a bedroom with a guy that wasn’t me. But it’s okay. Kendal has been very supportive and a comfort during all of this.’

I realized that he was trying to get me to be the bad person and I immediately ran into the bathroom. I didn’t make it to orchestra and I didn’t even go to school for the rest of the week. I thought that would be enough time for everyone to move on but it wasn’t. They continued to talk about it and it didn’t help that Wyatt kept adding on lie after lie for about 6 months.”

*END OF FLASHBACK*

“I know he still has some feelings for me because he texted me about it.” I showed John my phone. He didn’t speak at all. I was worried then. He probably realized he didn’t want to be part of this drama and would just ignore me. I sat there and waited.

John finally spoke, “This guy is an i***t. I’m sorry that happened and you had to go through that. I’m glad you had Mark and Leah though. Tell you what. I’ll be your new Mark. As of right now, I’m your new bestie.”