Chapter 6

Gary

He can't stop thinking about her.

Perhaps it's how because of how stupidly he acted towards her, or maybe it was his immaturity, but for once, he feels as if she's not coming back this time. As if he's lost his second chance to someone who always did everything right. Why couldn't he just have trusted her? He kept on saying that she didn't trust him, but where was his trust in her? He wondered how he could mess up as badly as this, but apparently, it was possible. He didn't know if he'd feel the same way with Rose that he did with Miranda. Unlikely, he thought.

Gary sat alone in the restaurant, wiping down the bar when he heard an angry voice in front of him. "Sir, 'xcuse me, but I've been waitin' here for fifteen minutes," the man said, jumping up and sitting on the stool.

"I'm sorry, but we've actually just closed."

"Gary, couldn't you tell it was me, messing around with stupid accents?" The man laughed and as Gary looked up, he realised it was his brother, Finn. They had always been rather different. Gary had always been the more artistic of the two, and Finn had been the more academic. Nevertheless, they were as close as any brothers could be.

"Finn, you idiot, what are you doing back?" Gary said, chuckling as he went to give his brother a long overdue hug. "It's been too long."

"I know," Finn sighed. "I was working for a news company in Japan, writing reports, but I got a job back here, so now you have to deal with me everyday," he explained, smirking.

"Finn, that's brilliant! What company are you working for?"

"Southern News. I had my first day of work today, went rather well, I would say! Colleagues seem nice enough." Immediately, Gary frowned at the mention of the company. "What's wrong? Is it not a good company, or something?"

"No, no, it's a good company, it's just…"

"Just what?" Finn leant in closer to his brother. "Spit it out, Gary. You know I can tell when you're hiding something."

"It's stupid."

"Spit it out, or else I'll make you."

"Alright, alright. That's the company that my ex-girlfriend's boyfriend works at." Finn nodded, motioning for Gary to continue. "I broke up with her about 3 months ago. I was so stupid to do that. So now, she's back together with this guy who she was dating, and he's so different from me. When he proposed, and then I did, he had a ring and everything."

"But she didn't pick him," Finn assured. Gary shook his head.

"Well, she has now."

"I mean, I guess that breaking up with her was a stupid thing to do, but can I ask who this guy is? I mean, he could just be a paperboy, or an intern, I wouldn't worry too much about it." Intern, right.

"Michael Jackford. Does that name ring a bell?"

Finn nodded. "Yeah, he's one of the main news readers, I think. He's a really nice guy, genuinely kind person."

"Thanks," Gary muttered. Of course he is. He even had the guts to tell her he loved her at the dinner party, and what did I do? Arrived with Rose, left alone. He arrived her boyfriend, and left her boyfriend who was in love with her.

"No, no, I'm sorry. I'm just saying, that you don't know how things will turn out, or who you'll meet, or even if their relationship will work. Just, don't give up hope. With her, or with anyone." Gary gave a weak smiled, and Finn gave him a pat on the back. "I'm heading out now, to see Stevie, and the others. Are you going to mope around, or come join?"

"I'll join."

He wasn't sure how this was going to make him feel, whether he'd ever quite feel the same again, but it was worth a shot. If they were both happy, maybe that's the best he could do. For her.

Hey everyone! It'll be reversing to normal writing style next chapter, which will be set after Chapter 4. These chapters were explaining what was happening after Chapter 4 finished, but before Miranda's date that night. Thank you VirendraLione for the review - it is much appreciated!

Sofie x