Chapter 24: Trust

Alex's POV

Dinner was a complete fail but not for the reasons I expected. I watched as Gloria sobbed over her salad. Her eyes were blood shot and she kept a tight grip on Jose's hand. The whole dinner he gave her encouraging words and looks of compassion. He told her all the things she wanted to hear like her ex was a dirt bag and he was crazy not to realize what a gem she was. Gloria was a gem. It was the first time I'd heard him say that. I sat there and tried not to be jealous or embarrassed. The woman was making a little bit of a scene. However, to be fair I probably would cry that hard it Jose' ever hurt me that way. I picked at my lasagna but I'd really lost my appetite. I felt invisible. The truth was Gloria needed Josie right now and I felt it appropriate if I gave them some space.

"Hey Jose' can I speak to you for a minute?" I motioned for him to follow me. I noticed that he didn't have the happiest look on his face. We stood by the bathroom and he crossed his arms over his chest.

"I think I should leave. I can catch a bus home or something. It's clear Gloria is really messed up now and needs her friend. I'm just in the way," I muttered and he narrowed his eyes. "What's wrong?"

"Are you sure you're going home?" I was confused and put off by his attitude.

"Of course where else would I go?" He looked away from me with a disgusted look on his face. I stepped toward him and tried to touch him but he moved away from me. A couple of older women came out of the bathroom and gave us the typical weird stares. "Josie?"

"Don't call me that … not right now," he whispered and wouldn't look me in the eyes.

"It this about Marcus?"

"Is that his name? How old is he?" He asked and I rolled my eyes but I knew better than not to answer.

"I don't know I think he's eighteen or something," I muttered dryly. "Why does it matter?"

"You two look good together." He was pouted and I fought against myself not to smirk.

"It's cute that you're jealous," I teased and he frowned harder.

"I'm not jealous I'm a realist. The guy is much closer to your age, you have the same interests, and he's not ugly. You should be with him," he barked and for some reason I felt like I was being dismissed.

"Based on that logic you should be with Gloria. Is that what you want?" I asked and he finally looked at me.

"I'm not rubbing myself against Gloria. You were practically grinding on him Al!" I huffed exasperated. I didn't know what to say to him. It did look that way to his credit but I didn't approach Marcus. I didn't want his attention. I wanted Jose's attention but he seemed too busy giving it to someone else.

"I'm not sure what you want me to say Jose. I was just trying to give you a moment to help your friend out. If you want me to stay I will."

"You can go if you want." He turned and walked away from me and went back to his friend. His look had never been so cold towards me. She scooted closer to him and laid her head on his shoulder and I felt anger and rage go throughout my whole body. I'd been through too much to play these stupid games. I went to the table and grabbed my purse and said a polite goodbye to Gloria, it was much politer than she deserved. I gave Jose nothing because that's how he was treating me … like I was nothing. I decided to walk home. It was only a few blocks. I called Mia and asked her to pick me up from Jose's place. I just needed a little bit of time to gather my things. This time I was seriously leaving. It was clear to me that this would never work. Relationships held in secrecy never last. It was sad because I we were so close to making it work. I just couldn't see myself with a man who shut down on me every time we had an issue.

Jose's POV

After finally dropping Glo off at home I made my way to my loft. It was well past 2AM and I expected Alex to be asleep and mad as hell at me in the when she awaken. I was glad I wanted her know that pain I felt when I saw her brushed up against that guy that way. I just wanted to know what in the hell she was doing. She told me that she only danced jazz and ballet. I just felt like she was making a fool out of me until she found someone better. I don't know maybe I was overreacting. I've been told I have the tendency to do that. I sat down on the couch and noticed a note with my name on in on my coffee table.

Josie,

I don't want you to worry. I'm going to be staying with Mia and Ethan. I need some time to think about our relationship. Based our conversation tonight you do to.

Ally

"Wow," I muttered I felt my heart sink into my stomach. I leaned back on the couch. Ally had just proven me right. She'd found someone better and she left. She was probably with him right now giving him what I'd waited so patiently for. I pulled out my phone determined to catch Alex in her lie.

"Hello?" Mia said sleepily. I immediately felt like shit I'd forgotten how late it was.

"Sorry wake you up Mia … is Ally there?"

"Yeah. She said she'd left you a note or something," Mia responded and then muttered something to her husband. "Hold on for a minute Jose." I heard as she got up out of the bed and after a few minutes she came back to the phone.

"I just want to be blunt with you. I'd told you and Alex both that you should've waited to have a relationship until it could be publicly accepted there were too many secrets surrounding you. Plus Gloria is a gold digging bitch and you don't trust your own girlfriend! You trust Gloria more than you trust Alex so … maybe you should just be with her," Mia said bluntly.

"It's good to see you haven't taken sides," I muttered sarcastically and she scoffed.

"I just know how much Alex adores you and for you to even think that she wanted someone else is crazy. The only reason she was sitting in Marcus' class was because you were late picking her up and why were you late? You were comforting Gloria. If anybody's cheating it's you! Goodnight Jose!" Mia hung up in my face. I felt like I'd been bitch slapped. Mia was right I was alone now and it was nobody's fault but my own.

Author's Note: I finally came back to this story! If you are still reading give me a shout out.