Skyler

I didn't get a blink of sleep last night thinking of Shane. His terrible state made me think about him. I tossed and turned in the bed and then gave up.

I gave the day off to Scarlet and I wasn't planning on going to work.
I was lazing on my bed when Noah calls for me. I was really not in the mood and the reason I didn't want to go to work because it was his birthday.

I didn't want to hear the girls discussing over it in the office. Yeah, he is married but he always has girls under his charm. I also planned on not watching the TV to dodge everything that will remind me that it is his birthday. I went downstairs and Noah was by the pool. He said still not registering the fact I had taken a leave."What is my favorite girl doing today? Now that she is finally taken leave off work."

"I planned of not getting out of my bed which I did so I don't know really." I said and he noticed my sadness."Why the frown on the face again? Wait..."

Noah takes a step closer to me and he starts tickling me. I couldn't stop laughing so I threatened him to stop."Stop or else..."

"Or else what..." Since he was not stopping and I couldn't stop him from doing so I pushed him into the pool. He dunks in and comes out of the pool cursing me as he was shivering."Fuck you, Skyler. The water is cold."

I laughed."Suits you." I didn't realize when he caught hold of my leg and pulled me into the pool. Damn, the water is cold.

"Now who was laughing." I stared at him. I got all wet now. "Fuck you, Noah." He winks. "Oh yeah."

"Wipe that stupid grin off your face," I said as I get out of the pool. I decided to take a quick shower and changed into something else.

"I am going out Noah. I will be home before dinner." I said to him as he was typing something on his laptop. When he heard me he turns his head to face me."I would have joined if I didn't have to go through all these auditions."

"It's fine. See you at dinner." I take the keys from the counter and waved him bye as he gets back to his work."Bye."

I didn't know where to go. I just drove and it led me to our old house. I did have a key and came here sometimes to just I don't know why but I felt good whenever I come here.

It didn't feel like he left because all the memories flashed by in front of my eyes. I pass by the kitchen and stand there for a moment.

I could see us when he wiped off the flour of my cheek and how he comforted me when I broke down.
I go upstairs and see us laying on the bed with all the pillows teared up and the feathers around.

At the library when he tickled me till I laughed and when he read me stories and I was busy looking at him as he read. Then I came outside by the pool and I saw us sleeping in a blanket close to each other. I couldn't stay back. I sat in my car and drove without knowing where to go. I just kept driving...

On the other side

Shane

"Happy Birthday Shane." Everyone exclaimed as I rang the doorbell.
I hug everyone. It feels so good to be back home. It was after so long I was meeting Taylor and Mom. Not that I meet Dad and Tyler on daily basis and when I meet them it is because of work."You have to come to visit me often. I will kill you if you don't." Mom said shooting daggers at me.

"I almost forgot that I did have an elder brother." She rolled her eyes. It wasn't hard to understand the sarcasm in her voice and mom was serious. I shouldn't be doing this.

Dad and mom were furious with me for weeks. Tyler was pretty close to Skyler and he was upset by hurting her but he still believed there was something else to my marriage with Emily. He was right and I couldn't tell them so whenever he brought up the topic I shook it off.

After a few weeks, they came around. They stuck around after everything when I thought they wouldn't and I just pushed them away. I didn't realize that pushing them away not only affected me it affected them too. In the end, the only family sticks with you to the end no matter what you do.
Now on I won't push them. Dad said trying to cover up for me."You know the business. After he took my position he has a lot of work. I am sure he will visit us often now."

I nodded."I promise."

"Can we cut the cake already?" I smiled as we surround the table. Mom baked my favorite chocolate cake. I blew off the candles as they sang happy birthday. I cut the cake and I feed them cake with my hands after which they fed me.
Taylor said licking her fingers."Finally, mom wouldn't even let us taste until you have done."

"Of course. She will wait for her favorite child to taste it first. A little secret you both should know now that you are old enough. You both were adopted." I joke. It never gets old. It is a mandatory joke to do when you are the elder sibling. Elder siblings know what I am saying.

They screamed in frustration which made me laugh."Dad..."

Dad glares at me to stop messing with them and I could see Mom controlling her laugh."Stop it, Shane."

"Come on Dad. It's time you tell them already. They are old enough."And just then Taylor takes a huge piece of cake smears the cake on my face. I glare at her"You didn't."

"Oh yes, she did, and here are some more." Tyler did the same and I stomp. They knew how I hate cake on my face. And then like in their childhood days. I chased Tyler and Taylor around the living room.

After a long time, I felt happy. I didn't think of anything else but enjoying myself. It's been so long I was happy. I am glad I came here.

As we were chasing each other, Tyler slipped and I stopped running and helped him sit on the couch. "Ty...Careless like always. Did you hurt yourself?"

"Nothing serious." He says and then tries to get up and fails as he wines in pain."I think I sprained my ankle. Oww"

He had sprained his ankle so I made him sit again and brought some ice from the fridge.
"I will apply the ice."

Taylor sneaked up at me touching my back laughing and I rolled my eyes."Like always and I caught you, Shane."

We talked about a lot of things at lunch and it was good to have reunited with everyone. I felt a bit relieved. After I finished with lunch, we all sat down talking about the good old days. It was a great time. I had Skyler beside me. I had everything I could ask for.

Around evening I left because I remember mentioning to Dad that I had plans with Emily when I didn't have plans with her. I knew it was our first anniversary as well but I didn't love her and this was a marriage by paper. Nothing else...

I didn't want to spoil my mood by seeing her and I cannot just go home and lock myself in the room without facing her so I decided to get a couple of drinks but couldn't and then I drove to the beach.

I knew I would calm down when I sit there gazing at the sunset and think of my times with Skyler. Whenever I used to miss her I would go to the beach and relax. I would also go to my house and slept in our bed dreaming of her.

I was so happy I met Skyler yesterday but I couldn't exactly remember what I said to her. I just hope I didn't blurt out the truth. Bryon said Skyler didn't mention anything about me which means I didn't.

I walked around with my face hung down trying to sit somewhere. I looked up I saw her. This time I wasn't drunk nor was I imagining, she was here. I guess it became her spot too after all.

She was standing at the gazebo I proposed looking at the waves at the ocean. Her hair swaying backward due to the wind and the setting sun casting an orangish light on her face. She looked so pretty. I take a deep breath and called out for her."Skyler..."

I walked up to her and she was alarmed maybe because she didn't expect me here that too today.
She asked."What are you doing here? When you should be celebrating your birthday with your lovely wife."

My attention falls on her hand as she was holding the necklace I had given her in her hand. I was looking at it. I guess she doesn't hate me but can we change anything even if she still loves me?

I could smell her perfume. It was my favorite one of hers and she hasn't changed it. She was wearing my hoodie with a pair of black jeans. She still kept it.

Yesterday I didn't notice her that well but now I did. Her big black eyes, rosy cheeks, and long black hair on which I used to run my fingers and those tender pink lips. There were dried-up tears on her cheeks and she tried to hide them well by wiping them with a handkerchief.

She had changed but only better than before. I was looking at her hand and she quickly puts her necklace in the pocket of her jeans. She hid the necklace but she cannot take off the hoodie.
"You remembered."

"No, I didn't. You are Shane Smith and it's your birthday. It's all over the news and the girls singing happy birthday videos is all I see on TV." She lies. Liar. All lies. You can lie but I will still know.
"Alright. So won't you wish me?"

She scoffs as she smiles sarcastically."I didn't want to but if you want me to wish you so badly. Happy Birthday, Shane." I laugh. Some things never change.

Now I feel that it's complete. Something was missing. It was her and now that she wished me. I don't want anything else. She very well knew about my birthday and couldn't focus on work because of it."Thank you, Sky and you can't lie to me."

I knew exactly what she was thinking. She thought about how well I know her. I say."Yes, I do."

She was surprised thinking about how I can read her thoughts.
I said chuckling."Oh yes, I can."

"Stop it." She glares at me.

"Fine, Thanks for yesterday. I don't remember anything. I hope I didn't blabber out something stupid."

She was thinking about something that she didn't hear me."Do you?"
"Yeah. No...I am sorry, What?"

"I asked do you come to this place often. Do you?" I repeat the question and she sighs. Wait, did something happen yesterday that I don't know of. She replies."Why do you care?"

"Stubborn like always," I mumble so she doesn't hear, and then I heard the phone ring. We both were gazing at the sunset when she looks at me."Your phone is ringing."

"It's yours," I say not moving my gaze. She takes out her phone when she realizes it was indeed her phone."Oh yes."

"Hello, Noah baby." I shot my head back at her. Who are this Noah and baby? She had a huge smile on her face as she continues."Sure. I will be there for our date. How can I forget about it? You don't have to wait for long. Love you."

Baby, love you, date. Bullshit. Did she think I would buy that crap? She is emphasizing the words date and baby only to make me jealous. Typical Skyler...
Trying to make me jealous as she did in The Gala. I might not have seen you for a year but I know you are not the baby type...

"Sorry, that was my boyfriend."
Yeah sure. If she had a boyfriend. I would have known. She said smiling.

"You mean boy that is your friend." I joke. She doesn't have a boyfriend. Or does she? Don't think about it, Shane? No, she doesn't.

She takes a pause. "No, He is my boyfriend's and not a boy who is my friend." I look at her staring at me. Nah! She can't have a boyfriend.

"Lying doesn't suit you, Skyler."
Since she didn't have anything left to say. She turned around to leave after stomping her foot on the ground probably cursing me for knowing her so well. I screamed goodbye because she already walked a distance."Goodbye. See you soon."

She scoffs waving her hand as she walked away."In your dreams."

"Nice hoodie by the way..."
I tell out and she stops realizing that she was wearing my hoodie and I saw that. She turns around and says."Well, you gave it to me so it's no longer yours."

She left and that brought a smile to my face. I sat there for a little while as the sun hides behind the waters causing darkness as the moon shone brightly in the sky.

There was no one around here and I could only hear the waves hitting the shores. I closed my eyes and think of the time I was here with Skyler. I remember it was the first time I realized I had feelings for Sky. If there was a way out of this.

I drove back to Emily's house and completely ignore her presence. I was smiling at my thoughts.
"I see you are back."

"Yes, I am. Do not disturb me."
As I walk towards my room, Emily gets hold of my hand by my wrist and turns me around to face her.
"Enough. I am tired of this. We have been married for a year. I planned so much for your birthday and if you don't remember it's our first anniversary today. I have had enough."

I go closer to her and place my hand on her cheek and then whisper in her ear coming back to my position."I am so sorry Emily. I was busy at work that I didn't realize."

"I am glad you understood. It's alright I understand how work can be sometimes? Come, let's have dinner together. I cooked your favorite food." Is she dumb to believe my act?

I push her away from me."Oh no, you don't. We are married not happily married. You forced me into this. I did this for Sky not because I feel for you. Oh yes, I do feel for you. I have only hate feelings for you and it is not that kind of hate that will turn into love someday. Don't expect me to act like the other husbands. If you cannot bear this. File a divorce. I will happily sign it." I leave hearing her yelling and honestly, I was tired of this. I didn't want to waste my energy on her.

"You will regret this. I won't divorce you. If I can't have you.No one can..."

I took a shower and changed into my clothes. I took out my phone to search on social media. I searched for Skyler and luckily I found her account. Of course, I was curious about this Noah or whatever his name is so I tried searching for Noah in her friend's list.

Are you kidding me? No results were found. What generation is he in? He is not on social media. I am sure Bryon will know. I call Bryon immediately."Hello, Bryon."

He sounds angry."So on the whole day, you got time to return my calls now."

"I am not getting what you are saying."

"Well first of all Happy Birthday. I called you at midnight yesterday to wish you your birthday and you call me back after midnight. After which I was waiting for you in your favorite restaurant to catch up for dinner as you had planned the other day but you ditched me and I kept waiting and guessing by the tone of it you completely forgot about it and want to know something from me." I forgot. Oh shit! I am in deep trouble.

"I am sorry. I will make it up for you. I promise."

"Fine tell me what do you want this late?"

"Do you know anything about this Noah? Skyler mentioned him today as her boyfriend and I know that's not true but I am curious."

"Wait what? Are you stalking her? Two days in a row. Not a coincidence."

"She happened to be at the same place when I arrived. Tell me now, Bryon."

"They live together at...."
Live together. I sent Bryon to make sure she was fine and wasn't having any problems. The fuck...

"What the hell? You inform me about her business and everything. You tell me. Shane, Skyler is now at the coffee place. Skyler is down with a fever and everything. Of course, I told you to keep an eye on her and help her whenever she needs it and you forgot to mention that she lives with a guy."

"Will you let me speak? Mr. Jealous Smith."

"What?"

"They did go on a few dates." So, Skyler was right. He was his boyfriend. They are seriously considering they live together. My Sky is moving on and I don't know about it. I mean that's what I wanted then why do I feel hurt? Why am I jealous? Of course, I would be jealous. Though we are not together I love her.

"I am losing my patience now. What? A date. I am on the way to kill you. I can't believe you. Are you mad? You didn't tell me. Skyler is dating somebody. Oh my god, Bryon." Did he hang up now? Seriously... I called him up again and I start yelling at him again and then he screamed.

"Now you will listen to me until I finish with what I have to say."

"Fine..."

"They did go on a few dates but it didn't work out and they are best friends. Now that you got what you wanted. When are we meeting so that you can make up for me?"

"I will call you. Thank you for your help.Bye." I let a sigh of relief.
I knew she was lying. (smiles)

(What happens next? Shane knows Skyler still loves him. Will things be fine? Read in next...)

         ...Thank you for reading...

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