Hitting Rock Bottom

Chapter 12 Drinking

Yvette's POV

I can't help but smile being in the company of Malachi and his lovely sister.. who looks as if she is just here being nosey, but it's somehow sweet. I wish I had a sister like her.. Plus, on another note, I wish I knew what they were talking about before, that she slightly mentioned.. That thought of him talking about me and it's a compliment of all things, gets my heartbeat racing.

"So Yvette, tell me about yourself.. wait.. You're that Yvette?!" She yells at me as I look to where she is pointing and I see it's the TV that's playing the news with my face on it. I smile and nod as she just looks at me in awe.

"That must be amazing to be on TV." She exclaims as I shrug my shoulders. "It's not as great as everyone claims it to be.. But I have learned a lot from this business." I say to her as I feel Malachi's eyes on me so I glance up at him, sending a small smile.

The bartender slides shot glasses over as we take them into our hands. "cheers!" I say to them as they smile and clink the glasses together then throwing the liquid back into our mouthes. "Thanks I needed this.. It's been such a rough couple of days. But you guys seem so nice.. such a breath of fresh air." I say to them as we all share a smile. "My brother is one of the nicest people you will ever meet.. he takes care of our mother and I." Cece states as I smile up at him. "Cece.. stop." he asks but not too demanding. She slaps him on the chest playfully. "What? take the credit you deserve, you have done so much for Ma and I and we won't ever forget it.. we would probably be dead like our brothers and father if it wasn't for you." She says grabbing another shot that somehow appeared on the bar without me even knowing. I smile and pick up the glass with her saying. "Cheers to Malachi the nicest man I know."

He smiles at me as he picks up the shot glass and clinking it with mine as we throw them back and my phone starts to ring. I look down at the caller ID, seeing it's the doctor's office. I nervously swallow looking up to see that Malachi has seen the ID too so I stutter out. "I'm so sorry... I.. have to take this." I pick up the call and walking over to the corner behind us. I look over to see Malachi harassing his sister, probably about being so nosey with him.. They go back and forth but I can't hear what they are saying. I just see his muscles flexing and unflexing as he talks with her, throwing his arms around. His hair is slightly falling out from his little bun as I can't help but stare and admire his beauty.

"Mrs. Ryland?" I hear on the phone that's placed on my ear. "Oh yes sorry I'm here I got.. distracted.. yes.. this is her." I stutter pretty quickly as she states. "Yes, Mrs.Ryland, I'm Bree from the Highland Doctor's Office... and I have your results from post operation."

"Oh ok." I say nervously biting my bottom lip as I see Malachi turn around facing me as we share a locked gaze for a moment. I have to look away after a moment, not wanting him to know I was staring like a creeper. But luckily his sister grabs his attention once more.

"We have some good news.. There is not a trace of the cancer.. But we of course will need to keep an eye on it at the following check-ups, to make sure it stays that way." She says as I sigh in relief saying. "Thank you so much and I will be sure to set up some following appointments for check-ups.. thank you again.. have a good night." I hang up the call, looking over at the two of them as they bicker back and forth like siblings do. I chuckle under my breath as I make my way back to them to hear. "Stop Cece.. she is married and I won't break anyone up!" He spats as she spats right back. "Even if you like her?!"

He throws his arms up. "Even if I like her!" I clear my throat as they both look at me and Malachi turns away because of his face turning beet red at the realization that I was here and heard just that sentence.

"So is everything alright?" Cece asks me as I nod. "I just had surgery 2 days ago and had a call about my results." I reply pretty quickly as she states in shock. "Why are you here and not resting! Where is your husband in all this? and why are you working?" She asks me as I glance over at the TV she is now pointing back at.

"I had to take care of a couple loose ends today.. that's all.. I'll be fine." I nonchalantly explain to her as she hands me the shot glass. I willingly take it out of her hands as I smile up at Malachi. He takes his as Cece does the same. She clinks the little glasses together asking. "What do we cheers to?"

I can't help but smile and say softly. "To new beginnings." They both nod and say with me. "Here's to new beginnings." we clink and quickly throw the liquid into the back of our throats.

That tastes so good that I don't complain everytime she offers to buy us another round of shots.. After so many rounds of shots that we lost count, we just seem to lose track of time, drinking and talking like we have known each other forever. Sharing like and dislikes, along with hobbies and childhood stories.

We go on for hours and I don't regret one bit of it. They are so nice and great company. I could talk with them for so many more hours if they would let me, just joking and laughing until they get tired of me like everyone else does.. They make me wish that this night won't come to an end but we know it has to at some point. But this is honestly, the most fun I have had in a very long time.

"Man this has been so much fun.. You're a spectacular woman.. I'm so happy I followed my brother around so I could find out about you and see what he was talking about... But I have to get going to make sure Mama is ok." Cece declares as I scoff. "What?! No! We have to get together some other time then!" I demand from her swaying all over the place since the shots are hitting all of us so hard right now.

"Of course.. you should come over tomorrow for lunch or dinner.. or both.. unless you work?!" She asks slurring her words as she uses the bar to hold herself up.

"I don't have to worry about work anymore so I'll be there!" I say tipping back as Malachi quickly grabs for me, making sure I don't fall out of the stool, wrapping his arms around my torso as we all laugh. "Ok gurly... see you tomorrow!" She says slapping Malachi's arm and saying. "See you at home.. be careful." He nods as she walks out of the place leaving us there. I'm still giggling as I stare up at him. He looks from the door to me as he realizes he is still holding me. So he quickly let's me go after he had steadied me. Fixing my shirt for me.

"So why wouldn't you have to worry about work? Are you on leave for your surgery?" He asks as I scoff at that. "I would have to have a job to be on leave." I laugh saying this as I take the shot sitting in front of me.

"What do you mean? You were just on there today." He asks with confusion. "So you're really weren't listening to it were you?" I ask as he shakes his head. "I'm being replaced.. she is better looking, younger and all they want.. so I'm gone.. booted to the street like trash.. today was my last day and that broadcast was me saying goodbye.. I'm jobless now." I declare, spinning around on my stool for fun but also not caring what happens to me right now. But this action starts to make me feel dizzy, so I use the bar railing to hold on and help me out. He turns towards me as his legs are on both sides of mine, blocking me in, holding me there. He leans on his arm that's across the bar railing right besides me as his other hand stops my stool from spinning by holding it in place by my hip.

"That's not possible.. they are stupid to think she is better.. don't let them win and think like that.. She is not better.. she can't be, there is no possible way.. you seem amazing." He says to me as I scoff even louder, "She is better in every way.. that's why she has my job and I don't.. but that's fine.. I'll just move away and start something new. To new beginnings!" I say to him throwing another shot back, as he looks confused.. "Wait.. What about your cancer and your husband?" He asks as I bust up laughing before replying. "He is like a cancer. Actually I think the cancer was nicer than he was to me."

"Well that's not nice to say Yve." I hear from besides me as my smile fades away and I look to where the voice I hate is coming from. I roll my eyes once I see him, confirming this is not a hallucination. "What do you want Ledge?" I ask him putting my hand down and it conveniently lands on Malachi's hand.

"Moved on fast huh?" He asks glaring at me as my eyebrows instantly scrunch. "Do you really think you have any say in the matter? Actually, I signed the papers saying you don't have any say in my life anymore." I declare as Malachi tightens his arm around my back as gently rubs his fingertips on my back. "If he is bothering you Yvette, I can get rid of him.. Say the word." Malachi states outloud to me but making sure he hears his threat.

"Can I talk to you away from this d*uchbag?" He asks glaring at Malachi. I feel him trying to stand but I lean on his arm and put my weight on his hand holding him here. "No I don't have anything to say to you.. and he is not going anywhere because I want him here." I reply looking over at Malachi.

"I was just worried about you.. and wanted to see how the surgery went." I scoff even louder at his explaination, as I turn and state to Malachi as if Ledge isn't even here. "Hey Malachi, you know the husband you have been asking about? Wondering where he could be? Since I have needed so much help lately and he was no where to be found.. here's the ass.. You know where he has been when I needed him the whole time?" I rhetorically ask him as his mouth opens but I answer anyways. "He was f*#king every other woman out there that he could get his hands on and has now found the 'love of his life' that is pregnant.. Oh and making sure you know that's not me even though we have been married for 13 years because we haven't even had s*x in a while because of him ignoring me for so long.. and now 'he is worried about me'. Is this shocking you as much as it is me?" I state sarcastically before turning back to Ledge as he scoffs and rolls his eyes whike crossing his arms across his chest.

"I signed all the divorce papers and sent them back already.. I'm out of your life, so be out of mine.. just leave me alone." I spat at him, turning back to Malachi. "Come on Yve don't be like that. I'm sorry, I told you I'm sorry." He says in his sad tone that used to make me cave every fight, but now the sound of his whiny tone is like nails to a chalkboard. I sarcastically laugh at that as I reach for my purse and pull out his letter.

"No you didn't tell me sorry to my face like a man would.. you WROTE me sorry in a note so you wouldn't have to face me.. And what did you write again? Oh yeah.. here it is.. you screwed too many ladies to count.. yes that's it.. but it sounds like you have much more to worry about.. so have fun with your new life and don't worry about me.. I will be just fine without you. I would rather be alone then unappriciated and treated like trash." I state flipping him off and shoving the paper back into my purse.

Without a moment to lose, Ledge grabs my hand that's flipping him off as he tries to pull me away. But in that same instant I feel Malachi's arm wrapping around me, as his other hand grips Ledge's arm before shoving it away abruptly. "Don't you f*#king touch her. Leave now before we have problems." Malachi demands of him as I notice I'm now pressed into his side because of him being protective of me. I stare up at his now blackened eyes, glaring at my ex-husband, before looking back at Ledge who doesn't even try to push Malachi's boundaries just in case.

"Fine.. I just wanted to know how the surgery went." He spats once again as I flip him off in response still pressed into Malachi. "I don't care why you're here because It's none of your business what's going on with me." He glares at me after mt comment, before storming out of the bar.

"Thanks for helping me with him." I say softly as I feel all the emotions hitting me about my shitty life once again.. I could only be distracted for so long I guess. I keep leaning on him for support as I suck in a sharp breath, feeling my eyes watering up.. I look up and notice him nodding.

"You don't deserve that.. why were you with that assh*le anyways?" He asks me as I honestly reply. "He was different than that.. everything was different, or that's what I thought.. but come to find out it was all a lie and meant nothing to him when it meant everything to me.. You know what he told me?" I ask pulling out the letter my ex wrote and handing it to him. "he told me he regretted everything with me and it was all a waste of time." I say as the tears begin to fall without my approval. "I'm just a waste of time, I will always be a waste of time. I'm sorry for wasting your time. But thank you for tonight." I declare before stepping back from him, grabbing my purse and stumbling out of this bar.