Translation of Love - By Alice Montalvo-Tribue Page 0,84
need time.”
“He’s going crazy, Elle. Says that he’s been trying to reach you nonstop but you won’t pick up the phone. Says that the whole thing was a set up to break you two up.”
I roll my eyes. “How fucking convenient. This isn’t a movie, Gavin. People don’t just go around setting other people up.”
He sighs at me. “I believe him, Sis.”
“You believe him? That’s rich coming from a man who hasn’t had a real relationship in over thirteen years. How the fuck would you know?” The claws have come out and I’ve gone straight for the jugular. I note the mix of pain and anger in his eyes.
“I’ll let that shit go because I know you’re hurting but you have to understand something, Elle, I’m a dude. I know when another dude is lying and he isn’t.”
“I wish that were true Gavin but it’s not. I’m sorry for what I said to you just now, I didn’t mean it but I really just wanna be alone. I’m not ready for company.”
“Fine, eat your breakfast and I’ll leave.” He sits on my bed until I take a few bites of my breakfast and drink half of the cup of coffee. Once he’s satisfied that I’m not going to die of dehydration or starvation, he leaves. I relieve myself in the bathroom and take another dose of Nyquil. Sleep is the only thing that is welcome in my life right now. It’s how I’m managing to escape the pain, even if only for a little while.
When I wake again, it’s dark outside. My muscles feel tight and I know that I have to get up and stretch out my muscles for a few minutes. I walk downstairs, turning on lights as I go. I enter the kitchen and open the refrigerator. I grab a handful of grapes and a diet Coke. I’m not sure my stomach can handle much more than that. As I’m finishing up, I hear a knock on the front door, I’m not ready for any more visitors and I’m terrified that it’s Victor at the door. I take a breath and answer the door.
My heart stops, my body goes stiff. I’m completely immobile, stunned and fearful of the cold, green eyes staring back at me.
“Brian?”
“Aren’t you gonna invite me in Elle?” The sound of his voice makes my blood run cold. I figure it would just be easier to appease him and let him in rather than cause a scene outside. I know he’s capable of it. I come unstuck and move out of the way, allowing him to walk through the doorway.
“Brian, what are you doing here?” I question as I close the door.
He moves into the living room and turns back to face me. “God, Elle, you look like shit. What the fuck happened to you?”
Typical, not even two minutes back and he’s insulting me already. “I’m not feeling well.”
“Yeah, I would imagine you’re not feeling well. Lover boy wasn’t all that you thought he’d be, huh?”
“Excuse me?” I question. How does he know about Victor and what does he mean with the cryptic comment?
“The mother though, she’s a piece of work that one. Called me up out of the blue one day asking me all sorts of questions, trying to get dirt on you.”
My head is swimming. I can’t tell which way is up right now. Victor’s mother was plotting against me from the beginning. “You’re the one that sent her that video? Are you the one that’s been calling my cell and hanging up?”
“Fuck yeah, I sent her that video. She paid a pretty penny for that shit. Then she pretty much guaranteed me that you’d be home today. I figured I’d come check it out for myself.”
“Why would you do that to me? Haven’t you put me through enough hell? You had to help her ruin my relationship too?”
“Word gets around, Elle. People telling me that you’re all over the internet with pretty boy. I have to admit, you look good in those pictures. Made me think that maybe we should revisit our relationship. Try to get it right this time.”
Oh, hell no. He’s completely insane. I shake my head at him like a lunatic. “Brian, what we had ended over two years ago. I’m sorry but I have no desire to revisit any of it.”
His nostrils flare and he clenches his fists, a sure sign that he’s angry. He struts over to me almost in my space now but I stand