Page 88 of Always Been You

Anger rises inside me. How dare he say that I owe him anything, especially after I walked in on him cheating on me? I still have no idea how long that had been going on. Had he been cheating on me for the entirety of our relationship? Was he ever exclusive with me? Did he only say that he loved me because he thought that would make me stay? As these questions continue to swirl in my mind, he continues to speak.

“I’ve tried to talk to you for months and you haven’t responded. Hear me out. Let’s leave and go get some coffee. I deserve that, at least.”

I rip my hand forcefully from his grasp, causing him to stumble forward before he stabilizes himself. “I owe you nothing,” I hiss at him, “you were cheating on me. I walked in on you the day we were supposed to sign a lease to our new apartment, fucking some blonde chick in your bed. Don’t you dare say that I owe you anything.”

I turn and make it a few feet before he grabs my wrist again, spinning me and yanking me against him. “I love you, Olivia, and I know you love me. Just give us another chance. It meant nothing and I deeply regret it. She means nothing to me. I love you.”

“I highly recommend you get your fucking hands off my fiancée,” Josh’s deep voice comes from behind me and I can hear the absolute rage in it.

“Fiancée?” Drew questions. It looks like there is pain in his eyes as he looks at me, but I don’t feel sorry for him one bit. He lost me because of his own actions and I’m happier now.

“Yes, fiancée,” I tell him.

His grip loosens just enough that I’m able to free myself and stand beside Josh as he wraps his arm around my waist.Drew’s face grows red, staring at where Josh’s hand is resting. My left hand goes to meet his and I see the second Drew sees my engagement ring.

“So you won’t listen to me after being together for two years, but you’ll jump straight into this asshole’s bed? Are you just willing to spread your legs for anyone, Olivia?”

Josh’s already rigid body stiffens more, which I didn’t think was even possible with how tightly he was already wound. “Be careful how you speak about her,” Josh warns, jaw clenched so tightly I worry he might break a tooth.

“I was with her for two years. I’ve fucked her more times than you could count. I’ll talk about her, how I want to talk about her.” Drew’s words make me feel dirty, remembering the ways he used to touch me, that I have had sex with someone who could treat me so horribly.

Josh releases me, takes a step forward, and with two fingers jabs Drew in the chest as he says each word, “Watch. Your. Fucking. Mouth.” Drew just snarls at him. I can feel and hear more of our friends and family begin to surround us. Wanting to leave the situation, I grip Josh’s forearm and try to drag him back. “Babe, he’s not worth it. Let’s just go.”

Josh looks over his shoulder at me. “But you are worth it, Olivia. I will always stand up for you, and I will always protect you.”

He turns back and faces Drew. “It’s time for you to leave. You need to stop contacting Olivia. You need to never talk to her again. She has told you she has no desire to talk to or see you again, and you need to respect that.” I can see the anger spewing off of Drew as he stares Josh down.

“I deserve to be heard out. Olivia owes me that,” Drew spits.

“Olivia owes you nothing after you cheated on her,” Josh growls, “but I have to say that it’s lucky for me because I gotthe best thing that has ever happened to me because you were too stupid to appreciate what you had.”

Drew looks at me pleadingly. “Olivia, I was going to propose. We were going to start a family together. Are you really prepared to throw that all out for this man?”

“Yes, Drew, because Josh is twice the man you ever were or will be.”

“You don’t mean that baby, I know you still love me. We can get married and start a family together. We can get past this. Please give me another chance.”

“Drew, I have meant every word that I have said. I’m marrying Josh. I love him. I’m starting a family with Josh.” My hand instinctively goes to my stomach and Drew catches the movement immediately and his face pales completely.

“You’re just marrying him because of the baby?” he grits out, and I stiffen, knowing that everyone is witnessing this ordeal right now.

“No, Josh proposed before we found out,” I whisper.

Drew begins laughing. “You really think that this man is going to love you when you gain more weight? Do you really think that he’ll stick around? That he won’t find some skinny chick to fuck on the side? You really are delusional.” Drew’s words are laced with anger and hatred, but they hit the exact points that he was looking to hit. My arms wrap around myself tighter as I try to ignore him, but it isn’t easy. These words are all my insecurities out in the world for everyone to hear, including Josh.

“You actually are an idiot. I would never do that to Olivia. Like I said, she is the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I find it a privilege to share my life with her. And she is growing my child, that just makes her more beautiful in my eyes. I proposed before we knew about the baby, and the baby justmakes it all that more special. Now, why don’t you leave before you embarrass yourself anymore, you pathetic piece of shit.”

Drew launches himself at Josh, but Matt and Caleb get to Drew before he can land a hit, and pull him backwards.

“Okay, it’s time for you to leave now before I arrest you. If you in any way contact Olivia or her friends and family again, you will be arrested for harassment,” Caleb says.

“What… you, you can’t do that?” Drew sputters.

Caleb lifts the edge of his shirt covering the waistband of his shorts and shows him the badge clipped there. “Yeah, I can. I’ve witnessed this situation and have heard you be told to leave multiple times. It’s time to go.”

Drew doesn’t say anything more, he stomps off in the direction of his car and I feel my entire body relax and then I feel the tears begin to build. Josh turns to me and sees my face and immediately pulls me into his chest, hugging me. His hand runs soothingly over my hair as he whispers that everything will be okay, that he’s here for me.

After a couple of minutes, I manage to pull myself together and pull back, wiping the lingering tears from my cheeks. Josh’s hand stops running through my hair and grips the back of my head. I feel such a sense of safety and contentment in this position right now, and I smile up at him. He leans down and places a quick kiss on my lips. “I love you,” he whispers against them.

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