The Game Of Love

Chapter 2

The moment I looked up from my phone to see where Lana took me, my stomach drooped. How could she bring me here of all places? To Jake's house?

It took me a few seconds to get my brain cells to work, "God, Lana! Why are we here?" I whisper-yelled as I raked my eyes around the neighborhood, "Jake could be here now!" I ducked my head, not wanting to be seen around here.

"Yeah, exactly," She said as she unbuckled her seatbelt, "We are here to confront him," She added, turning to face me.

I have been avoiding him like a plague for the last few hours, and she took me straight to him? "Have you finally lost your mind?" I asked, eyes wide.

She shook her head, her hair bouncing away from her face as she did so, "No but you will if you don't get a closure" She nodded her head, "We are here to avoid that. When we walk out of here today, you can start moving on without any questions piling up in your head. "

Her words started to make sense a little but I started shaking my head, silently disagreeing with my monologue, "I don't need closure right now" I said but I did not sound convincing at all.

Lana narrowed her eyes, "Yes, you do," She said firmly, "Come" She stepped out of the car.

I sat still like a statue, not wanting to move an inch from where I was.

This is not what I had planned for tonight. Why didn't I stick with my plan and stay home?

I heard Lana pull open the passenger door, "Do you want me to unbuckle your seatbelt as well, your highness?" She asked, her question laced with obvious sarcasm.

I looked up at her with pleading eyes, "Can't you listen to me just this once?"

"I am your best friend, Lottie," She reminded me, "It is my job to not listen to you."

Can someone divorce a friend? Because it feels like I am about to.

"Please," I tried again.

She parted her lips to say something, but someone else spoke before her, making my blood run cold.

"Charlotte!"

No, not this. God, please no.

I looked at Lana, mortified, and she smirked back at me victoriously. Of course. This is what she wanted.

I heard Jake running towards us, "Charlotte." He cried out again, "Oh God. I was trying to reach out to you for hours now, " He added, coming to a halt right next to Lana.

I looked away, not wanting to make any eye contact with him. I could hear my heart pounding against my chest right now. It is not something unusual as he always made my heart race whenever we were together, but today it was racing for other reasons.

I balled my fists, restraining myself from punching him square in his face.

I heard him let out a groan in pain so I whipped my head up in time to see Lana pulling her fist from Jake's face and Jake crashing on the ground with a thud, "I bet you hurt my friend much more than that" She spat at his crumpled figure on the ground.

Did my friend just smash living daylights off him and send him flying to the ground?

It took me a second to start fumbling with my seatbelt and step out of the car, "Lana!" I said disapprovingly, "What in the world you were thinking?" I asked, looking down at Jake.

He pulled himself into a sitting position and massaged his jaw, "What the f**k, Lana?!" He growled, "I could put you in jail for this!" He threatened.

Lana sniggered, "Oh come on, you don't have the balls to do that" She mocked.

I had to admit that a part of me, wanted to smile in satisfaction but I suppressed it. The last thing I want right now is to be locked up in a cell with Lana for harassing him.

"Lana, can you please stop this?" I asked her in a polite tone, "I don't want to cause a scene here"

She opened her mouth again to protest but I shook my head at her, "I am already pissed at you for bringing me here. Please don't make it any worse" I warned her.

For a second, I thought she looked worried but she was quick to rearrange her facial expressions and give me a curt nod.

I smiled at her before taking a deep breath. I slowly turned to look at Jake again only to find him already looking at me.

He stood up without breaking our eye contact, "You didn't let me explain" He started, "It is not what it looks like-"

"No matter what you say, it is not going to change anything now" I cut him off, "I don't think what's between us can work out anymore, Jake. It's over" I said in an emotionless tone.

He looked stunned, "Charlotte, I wasn't cheating on you-"

"Oh?" I said, interrupting him again. "Then what you were doing without clothes with Rebecca under the covers?" I crossed my arms against my chest, "Were you just sleeping on the same bed?"

Jake seemed to be at a loss of words, "I- It was a mistake. Please hear me out- I wasn't in the right state of mind-"

"As I have said, it doesn't matter. Nothing is going to change the fact that you cheated on me" I went on, "And I don't want to be with a cheater"

He stood there, not having anything to say in his defense. I looked over my shoulder at Lana, "Can we go now? I think I got my closure now"

"Wait!" Jake shouted.

I rolled my eyes before looking at him again, "What now?"

"Please give me a second chance," He said, "I swear to God that I will never repeat this again"

I couldn't help but let out a scoff, "You seriously think that I will want to be with you again after witnessing that? Thank you but I will pass" I shook my head, "Besides, I would never feel secure in our relationship after this so no"

God that felt good to say.

I turned to walk away from there but Jake grabbed my arm, halting my steps."Charlotte, please. We have been through so much together. No relationship is perfect-There are many relationships that survive after a storm like this"

"If you don't let go of my arm now, I promise I will break your arm," I said in a cool tone.

That made him pull back his hand as if he had burned it, "Just because many women out there tolerate a cheater like you, doesn't mean I will too" With that, I quickly sat in the car again and slammed the door shut.

I could hear Lana bark at Jake something but I couldn't make out what it was. I looked ahead, keeping my eyes on nothing particular, and waited for Lana to get in the car again.

Eventually, I heard Lana get in and start the engine. Without a word, she drove away from there. I glanced at the side mirror and saw Jake's figure getting smaller and smaller before vanishing from my sight.

Lana cleared her throat after a few minutes into the drive, "So, how do you feel right now?" She asked, her tone had a hint of wary in it.

How do I feel?

I should probably feel heartbroken but I wasn't. It felt like a huge weight had been lifted off from my chest, "I can't believe I am saying this but I actually feel better" I admitted in a low voice, "You're right. I needed that closure"

Lana squealed, "See! I told you" She grinned.

I turned my head to the side, "But that doesn't mean that I am not mad at you, Lana" I said, trying my best to sound intimidating.

The smile on Lana's face wavered, "Oh come on, why would you be mad if I only helped you to feel better?" She asked.

"Lana. I wasn't ready to face him yet. Yes, one day or another, I have to go through this moment but you didn't have to force me into it" I sighed, "Timing is everything. I trust everything in my life happens at the right time. Every day. Just like it was supposed to happen"

"That is a pretty long answer," Lana said, digesting my speech, "I just didn't like the fact that you're upset. It makes me upset as well so I wanted you to get over with it quickly"

I couldn't help but smile at that. I might want to see her in a cheerful mood as well whenever she's upset as well.

"You're smiling," Lana said in relief, "It means my situation isn't as bad as it seems" She muttered under her breath.

And she was right. I couldn't stay mad at her even if I tried so hard.

I looked away quickly to hide my smile, "Are we going out to have some fun or that is all the fun you told me about?"

"Of course, we are going to have some fun! You're single again after ages. That is something to celebrate about!" She chortled, stepping on the gas pedal.

I guess Jake is just a stop by then.