"Are you sure this is the best idea?" Austin asked. "Just letting him into your life again like this?"
"He never left, Austin." I sighed. "Haven't we had this conversation quite a few times before?"
"Of course we have. Can you explain what exactly your and Mike's relationship is though? I'm beyond confused, so is everyone else." Austin said.
"We were engaged. Now we're not." I said shortly. "We still love each other, things are just weird right now."
I'm not going to leave again though. I just want you to know that. Whatever happens between you and Mike, I'll totally support you, but if I punch him again don't be too mad at me." He replied. "So, everyone's going out tonight?"
"Indeed. Should be interesting." I laughed to myself. Indeed.
**
I stormed out of the club after I saw Mike talking to a few skanky girls. Leaning against the wall, I attempted to light my cigarette with shaking hands. The amount of tears coming from my face probably diluted the strength of the distraction I needed.
"You need some help with that?" Tony asked, taking a drag from his own beside me.
"That would be nice." I sighed, letting him use his lighter on my cigarette.
"He doesn't like it when you smoke." Tony said gently.
"I don't give a damn what he thinks right about now." I replied.
"You've been crying over him for nearly three years, Charley." He said.
"Did you come out here to tell me everything's going to be okay? Because I've had that talk too many times in my life. I don't need anyone to feel sorry for me." I shook my head fervently. "Not me, no sir."
Tony chuckled heartily. "I came out here to tell you that you ought to leave him."
I gaped at him. "He's your best friend!"
"Doesn't mean he doesn't treat you like shit. There's plenty of guys who could make you happier." Tony shrugged.
"I doubt that." I said, blowing smoke. "Why on earth do you care so much, Mr Perry?"
"You're too beautiful to cry. You put up this front, Charley, like you're not hurting and you really believe you've got us fooled but you haven't." He said quietly. "We can tell how much this hurts-"
"God damn it, do you expect me to be happy?" I demanded. My voice cracked as I tried to keep my cool. "We were supposed to be married right now. I should be at home with my husband. Now we're practically strangers."
Tony moved at little bit closer. "Why do you stay?"
"I love him. What else am I supposed to do?"
Tony laughed again. "Maybe you should prove it."
***
"Can I see more of your tattoos?" The girl Mike was talking to asked seductively.
I laughed out loud. Dumb bitch.
"Excuse me?" She demanded.
"Oh. Did I say that out loud?" I shrugged. "Get your nasty hands off my man."
"Your man's been flirting with every girl here." She replied.
"Yeah? Well I'm the one he comes home to, so I don't really give two shits what you have to say." I rolled my eyes, pushing her aside and sidling up to Mike. "Hi, Mikey."
"You know it makes me horny when you call me that." Mike laughed softly. "And you know it makes me horny when you get mad."
"Then I guess there's only one thing to do." I smirked, pulling him out of the club and back into my life.

Notes

look at me updating frequently aw