12
Lauren
One week later, I found myself still in bed at Melanie and Cole’s house. Neither one of them had spoken about Isaac, but I heard them whispering at night about the situation. I appreciated their concern and lack of intrusion, but at some point, I would need to venture back out into the real world and face this all. I had a wedding to cancel and a new place to find to live.
While I was thankful for Melanie and Cole allowing me to stay with them, it couldn’t last forever. Melanie was a wonderful friend and even through one of our worst arguments, she still had my back. I remembered a time when she was still fighting her attraction for Cole. Seeing the pair now, you would never know that Melanie fought her feelings for Cole. One night though, I had had enough of her games and had blurted out more truth than I had wanted too.
***
“I DON’T UNDERSTAND what his problem is,” Mel screamed as she threw her hands in the air. I could see her wild behavior in the vanity mirror.
Melanie had just stormed into the room screaming like a lunatic. I was in a great mood as Isaac and I were in a great place in our new relationship.
I remained calm as I allowed Mel to have her epic meltdown. Nodding my head, I just listened, never interrupting her rant. As she continued her pity party, I could hear the party in full swing just outside the thin, wooden door. “He is such an asshole! I can’t believe I have wasted so much time and energy on him. He kisses me one minute, then the next he acts like I don’t exist!”
Her words were cutting right through me. While I loved Mel more than anything, I couldn’t understand why she was so upset with Cole. Her game she was playing with his heart could possibly affect me and Isaac and that thought alone made me lose control of my sanity and my emotions.
Allowing a small laugh to escape my lips, I looked at Mel with wide eyes. Folding my arms across my chest, I glared at her until she stopped talking.
“What?” Mel asked, angered by my bewildered stare.
“Do you know how crazy you sound right now?” I asked, laughing again.
“What are you talking about?” Mel asked, my voice rising.
Rolling my eyes, I brushed my long hair behind my shoulder. “Mel, come on. You really don’t understand why he acts so hot and cold with you?” I said, my voice mocking her.
Mel’s eyes grew wide and pure shock registered across her face. I had never spoken to Mel this way before and my outburst had startled her.
“Lauren, I am so frustrated right now,” Mel offered.
“Mel, Cole loves you. He treats you like a princess and you play mind games with him. One minute you kiss him back the next you act like all you want to be is friends. I think the poor boy is losing his mind.” I stated.
“Lauren...” Mel began, but I cut me off before she could continue. The anger that was boiling deep inside of me now erupted like a wild volcano.
“Mel, you know I love you, right? We have been through a lot together, but you really do need to make up your mind. Either you want to be with Cole, or you need to let him go. I don’t know how much of this “friend” game either of you can withstand. The storm that you are creating may be one neither of you can survive.”
With that, I pushed Mel aside and opened the bathroom door. I was smacked in the face by the pulsating music and sounds of people laughing and talking as they enjoyed themselves. I felt terrible for how I had just treated Mel, but she needed to hear what I was saying. She would be upset with me for a minute, but once my words registered with her, she would understand.
This was our first true fight and I felt like shit. But, I was more afraid of how I would feel if I lost Isaac because of her antics.
As expected, Melanie fell back into her world of misery as she spent her days in bed. Similar to what I am doing now. Anyway, having enough, I blew up at her again.
“So, are you going to fall back into some weird depression again?” I asked in an angry tone, as she tried to fight me for the covers I was trying to pull away from her body. I held the sheets clenched in my fists as I attempted to push her away and to get out of bed.
It had been two days since the epic New Year’s Eve battle between me and Melanie. She had gotten so upset that she and Cole had gotten into a huge argument.
Ever since that night, Mel had barricaded herself in our apartment and had refused to talk to anyone, even me.
“Leave me alone Lauren,” Mel hissed as she pulled her comforter back over her head.
“Sorry Mel. I am not going to let you fall back into that black hole you finally crawled out of after two long and miserable years. You are going to get up and take a shower. You reek, I mean you smell and look awful. I love you, but I am sick of watching you be miserable.” This time, I succeeded in pulling the comforter away from Mel’s face.
Good thing she was my best friend, because right now I wanted to kill her. Sighing, I continued once I was good and sure she had my full attention. “Come on. You are the one who decided to give up on you and Cole. You kissed him. You left him embarrassed and broken hearted in front of everyone. You need to put on your big girl pants and deal with what you have done.”
I couldn’t believe how brutally honest I was being with Mel right now. Over the years I had known and been friends with Melanie, I had always been able to be honest with her and tell her the truth, even when it hurt. But today, I was almost being cold toward her. Not to say she didn’t deserve to hear my harsh words.
“I know you think I am being mean, Mel. But I am only telling you the truth. And right now, you need to hear the truth. You need to move on and live your life before you wake up one day and realize you have nothing to live for.” I patted her shoulder and offered a smile before I pushed herself off of her bed and walked out of the room
***
REMEMBERING THAT NIGHT and that argument made me realize all I could do was listen to my own words of advice. I had told Melanie to get over herself and make a decision. Now, I needed to do the same.
“Good morning,” I said as I walked into the kitchen one morning.
Both Cole and Melanie turned to look at me with wide eyes. I was sure I looked like the walking dead, but I had enough of my own self-pity.
“Lauren, how are you?” Melanie asked as she jumped up and rushed to get me a cup of coffee.
“I’m fine,” I lied as I mustered a smile.
“Great,” Mel beamed. “I have a big meeting today with an author. Ever since Mrs. Harvey promoted me to lead editor and agent, I’ve been swamped with clients,” Mel finished.
I was so proud of her for achieving her dream of working at MEA Literary Agency. She had always wanted to become an editor or agent- and now she was both.
While I spent my teenage years reading Seventeen Magazine and Teen Beat, she was living the lives of characters through some of the greatest novels ever written. Melanie was smart and found books to be an outlet. I preferred glamour magazines where I could shop. Oh well, opposites attract, I guess.
“That is great Mel. I know you can handle anything they give you,” I said.
“I hope so,” Mel sighed.
We sat there for a few minutes in an awkward tension.
“What’s your plan?” Cole asked as he cut straight to the chase.
“Cole!” Melanie snapped as she spun around and glared daggers at Cole.
“It’s fine,” I said as I waved at her anger. “Cole is right. I need a plan. I can’t hide here forever. I have a job to get back to. I have to figure out my next move,” I stated.
“Have you talked to Isaac?” Melanie asked as she looked at both me and Cole.
As I began to shake my head no, Cole shook his head yes.
“He’s been calling me. I was pissed at first. I mean, damn. He is my best friend. How could he betray me this way?” Cole asked as he ran a hand through his black hair.
Melanie eyed him carefully as a look of sadness swept over her. It was clear she felt his pain too. A stab of guilt hit me hard as I realized it was my fiancé who had caused him this pain.
“I’m meeting him today to talk. Look, I get it. Isaac really fucked up this time. But, he’s still my brother. I love him regardless. I at least owe him to listen to what he has to say,” Cole finished.
This time it was my turn to speak. “Owe him? Cole be serious,” I began as my anger leaked out. “Isaac lied to all of us. He put your business and his life in danger. And for what? Money?” I screamed.
Melanie ran over and wrapped an arm around me for support. I loved how she was now protecting me.
“Calm down, Lauren,” Melanie said in a soothing and motherly voice.
Stepping closer to us, Cole regarded me carefully. “Trust me, I know how upset you are. When I found out what had happened, I punched him. Me, Isaac’s best friend, hit him square in the jaw. I felt terrible but I was so mad I was seeing red. But, Isaac has left me voicemails pleading with me to understand. While I’m still angry, I understand one part of his excuse. He did it all for you Lauren,” Cole said as his eyes met mine.
“For me?” I asked confused.
“Yes,” Cole nodded. “For you. He wanted that money to pay off the shop so you all could buy a house. He wants to start a family with you. To provide a life for you so that you never have to worry about finances or anything else. Look, I agree he went about this all the wrong way. He was stupid. He was naïve. He was reckless. More than anything though, I understand the need to do anything and everything for the girl you love,” Cole finished as he looked over at Melanie with love filling his eyes.
Even though I was still mad at Isaac, I understood what Cole was saying.
“I guess that makes sense,” I stated.
“I will tell you everything that happens when I get back home tonight,” Cole said.
“Lauren, are you going to work today?” Melanie asked as she was clearly trying to change the conversation.
“Yes, I promised my boss I would be back today. I have sat alone and cried enough. Our manager is moving to Texas. Her husband got a great job there and she is leaving in two weeks. If I want to even be considered for the position, I have to get my ass in gear and back to work,” I said as I felt myself stand a little taller.
“That’s great!” Melanie cheered. “I have to get ready for work too. I have a big author coming in today to go over our edits. Cole is getting ready to leave for work too. We will meet tonight for dinner before Cole meets Isaac,” Melanie offered.
“Sounds great,” I said as I smiled at my best friend.
Melanie hugged me one more time before we all dispersed and began our day.