Chapter 8
APOV
I nervously make my way up the steps to the apartment. José meets me at the door. "Hey, mija."
"Hi, José." I make my way into the apartment and sit at the island in the kitchen.
"Want a beer, Ana?" I think I need some liquid courage.
"Sure." I take a huge gulp of beer.
"Ana, are you OK? You seem tense."
"Well, José…" Just get it out, Ana. "Saturday night at Elliot's party Christian and I kissed. I didn't mean for it to happen. We were actually fighting."
"What!? When did this happen? Before you went into the bathroom because you were sick?" José yells at me making me flinch. I don't know what reaction I was expecting but it wasn't that. He is so angry his face is red and the veins in his neck are popping out.
My voice is small and I meekly reply, "Yes."
"I can't believe you! Do you want to be with him?!" If it were only that easy. I don't know what I want.
"I… I don't know."
"So, what, you're playing me? Were you only dating me to get back at him?"
"No, that's not it. I like you…"
"But?"
"But, I'm confused. José the last thing I want to do is hurt you."
"Well, guess what? You did. Is that why you won't fuck me?" I can't believe he just said that. That's not the José I know. My mouth drops open in shock. He has never spoken to me like that before.
"No, José. I just didn't want to rush things with you."
"But it was OK to sleep with him right away? And don't tell me that's not what happened."
"José, please. I understand you're angry. I'm trying to be honest with you. Stuff with you and me happened very quickly and I just need to get my feelings in order."
"Ana, while you're trying to figure out who it is you want, I need you to leave. I can't look at you right now." José walks to the door and opens it.
I get up and walk to the door. I stop, "José…" I need to try and make this right and I don't want to leave on bad terms. But, I think that may be inevitable.
"Ana, look, I just need some space to get over this. I still want to be with you but I can't be a consolation prize. You need to decide what you want."
Tears are filling my eyes. I just nod and start to go down the steps. I knew he would be upset but I've never seen José like this. I feel like such an asshole. I never intended for any of this to happen. He was one of my best friends.
I walk back to the apartment with my arms wrapped around me providing some comfort. Am I this horrible of a person? I made a mistake and José is so mad at me he actually screamed at me. I'm in shock. I get to our apartment just as Ethan is leaving. "Ethan?"
"Oh, hey, Ana. I was just checking if Kate was here but I should have known she'd be out."
"Yeah, I think she's staying at Elliot's tonight."
"Are you OK? You seem upset."
"Honestly Ethan, I don't know. Why do things have to be so complicated?"
"Steele, sounds like you need to drink. Come on. My treat."
"Actually that sounds like a good idea. Can I treat you to dinner? I am starving and need to eat before I drink or you'll end up having to carry me home."
"OK. Let's eat first and then get drunk." He gives me a big boyish smile and holds his arm for me to take his elbow.
Ethan and I stop at a nearby pub and get a couple of burgers and fries. I didn't realize how hungry I was. I must not have eaten all day. As we're paying the bill, we decided to split it, Kate texts me.
*Ana, what R U doing?*
*Funny U ask. I'm eating with Ethan.*
*Good. Both of you should come out with us.*
*OK, we'll be right there.*
"So, looks like our night got a little more interesting. That was just Kate. She wants us to meet her out."
"Good, she can buy the drinks. Let's go." Ethan and I make our way to the bar which isn't that far away from where we are. We get there and it's crowded but I can spot Kate and her strawberry blonde hair right away. Ethan and I make our way through the crowd to her.
"Ana! You made it!" Kate is standing next to Elliot and some other guy who I've never met before.
"Hey, Kate. Hi, Elliot." Elliot greets me and gives me a big bear hug.
As soon as he puts me down, Kate asks me how things went with José. "So, how did it go?"
Elliot looks at us. "How did what go?" Of course, this would have to be the one time Elliot can hear us.
Kate looks up at Elliot and gives him the stink eye making him put his hands up in surrender, "OK, OK, none of my business. Jeesh."
Kate looks back at me for my answer. "It went about as bad as you can think. He yelled and is mad at me and told me I have to choose. I knew he'd be upset but I have never seen him so angry."
"Wow. I can't believe that. What are you going to do?" Kate asks.
"I don't know. I don't know what the right thing is here. Now I know the reason I never bothered with relationships before. I prefer reading the drama in books than living it."
Kate and I switch topics and talk about work and our work wardrobe. This weekend I want to get some new clothes for work. Elliot excuses himself for a little bit for a phone call leaving Kate and I to have another drink and chat more.
EPOV
"Grey"
"Christian, it's me."
"I know it's you, I saw the caller ID. By the way, thanks for the tip last night. I purchased all the pictures. I don't like the idea of giving him money but I don't want anyone else to have them."
"Christian, that's why I'm calling. Ana and José may be breaking up. I think she told him about kissing you and from what it sounds like, he flipped the fuck out and told her she had to make a choice - either you or him."
"What? I thought she was into him? If she's not…"
"Bro, she doesn't seem so into him. At best, she's confused about how she feels about both of you."
"So, now what do I do?"
"Meet us out, that's what you do. Get her mind off him and let her think about you."
"I can't just show up there. She'll know something's up."
"OK, how's this? I'll come up with an excuse for us to go to my place and you can just happen to show up there. That's what a brother would do, right?"
"Elliot, I feel like a fucking teenager here."
"Look, Christian. I know you like her regardless of how much you try to deny it. And it's obvious she likes you. You need to do something. So get off your ass and get to my house for fuck's sake."
"Alright, alright! I'll be there."
