I think three times is a bit much.
Also . . . he could invite me to go out to the bar with everyone. Clearly, I’m not doing anything tonight.
Lia: You went there last night? Did you go for a reason?
Breaker: Just to hang. We talked a lot. She’s not a fan of Kylo and Rey, which was a tough pill to swallow, but hey, you can’t win them all. She did think one of the fan accounts I showed her was pretty hot.
Lia: She doesn’t like Kylo and Rey together? I’m pretty sure that is terms for never talking to her again.
Breaker: It was easy to forgive, especially since I’m taking her on a hike on Saturday and a birdwatching tour.
Lia: Oh, cool. The same tour we go on?
Breaker: Yeah, it’s the best one. She seems pretty excited about it. Said she got an outfit and everything.
Lia: Does it have a bird on it?
Breaker: She said it was a surprise.
Bet it’s a sports bra and shorts. She seems nice and all but also . . . a bit thirsty.
Lia: Well, what am I supposed to do about Password tonight?
Breaker: Have Brian come over. He should start playing with you anyway.
Lia: What do you mean, “anyway”？ This is our game.
Breaker: Yes, but you’ll be married soon. I can’t keep coming over on our set nights. This is a good change, Lia.
Lia: Wait . . . did you make plans on purpose? To guide me into some sort of transition?
Breaker: I forgot how smart you are.
Lia: Uh, I don’t need you transitioning me. I’m a big girl, Breaker.
Breaker: Okay, so then go be with your fiancé. Talk about your wedding, make sure he knows what’s happening with it.
Lia: Why does it feel like you’re distancing yourself?
Breaker: I’m not, Lia. I’m just trying to prepare you. Once you get married, everything changes.
Lia: You say that as if it’s a punishment.
Breaker: It’s not, but the fact of the matter is, I can’t be there for you like I am now. I can’t be your companion, and you can’t be mine, simple as that.
Lia: Companion? Where is all of this coming from?
Breaker: Nowhere, it’s just facts. That’s what’s happening with our lives—we’re evolving, changing, and this is just the next step. Now I have to go. See you on Friday.
I stare at my phone, reading over our texts repeatedly, trying to figure out what’s happening. Sure, I’m getting married and will soon be living with my husband, but that doesn’t mean I need to cut ties with Breaker or stop interacting with him. Hell, he’s seen Birdy, someone he barely knows, more times this week than me.
And that makes me sad. All of this makes me sad. And the one person I would talk to about it just said he would see me on Friday.
Tears well in my eyes just as a knock sounds on my door.
I sit up from my bed, hopeful that it’s Breaker and that his texts are all just a ruse. I quickly wipe under my eyes, run to the entryway, and throw open the door, where I find Brian on the other side, holding a bouquet of roses and wearing a large smile.
“Hello, sweetheart,” he says, and I swear light sparkles off his freshly whitened teeth. “Thought I’d surprise you with some flowers and . . .”—he picks up an overnight bag—“a sleepover.”
“Oh, wow,” I say, trying to make my voice sound excited, not disappointed. “I was, uh . . . I was not expecting that.”
“Yeah, neither was I.” He hands me the flowers. Red roses, which I despise due to how cliché and unoriginal they are. Something I thought Brian knew. “It was actually Breaker’s idea.” Ah . . . what? “He also told me to pick up Sour Patch Kids and Sprite, so that’s in the bag as well. Not sure why, but he said it’s what you guys need while playing Password.”
“Breaker told you to do all this?”
“Well, the flowers were my idea, but game night was his. Said since he won’t be around as much, I should learn the things you love.” Brian leans in and gives me a kiss on the cheek. He pushes past me into my apartment as I stand there stunned.
Breaker set this up?
He wants Brian to learn all the things I love?
Why is he doing this? Why is he trying to extract me from his life?
I’m sure he’s probably doing this to be nice, but it’s hurtful.
And no way am I going to be able to enjoy this night unless I get to the bottom of it.
So taking a chance, I say, “Uh, Brian, I need to make an important business call. I’m going to run over to Breaker’s so I don’t bother you.”
“Oh, I can be quiet if you want.”