How could I have not put it all together before? Granted Viv tends to talk about her relationship problems solely with Kookie, but damn, I've caught bits and pieces and now they are all falling into place showing me the full picture.

My best friend Taehyung is dating my other best friend who I've been in love with since I was barely hitting puberty. Not only was he dating her, but he'd been cheating on her for a long time.

"Jiminie, you okay?" Viv reaches across the table pressing her hand against my forehead.

"I can finish the preparations and we can just meet up later tonight for the party," she suggests, concern written all over her face.

"No, I'm alright, just a little tired," I lie and give her a fake smile that she clearly sees through because a pout graces her lips.

"Jimin, you can tell me if something is wrong, you know. I thought we were better now."

I continue to tell her nothing's wrong and get back to setting up the bar we have rented out for Kookie's birthday. She laughs and teases me trying to bring up my mood and it works. I have a great time with her as we goof around blowing up balloons and hanging tacky streamers with bunnies on them.

Her phone rings and a huge smile breaks out on her face as she goes to answer it.

"Hi baby," she answers cheerfully and holds her finger up to me mouthing one second as she steps away.

The streamer crumbles in my hand from how hard I'm squeezing it. I bite my lip so hard I can taste my own blood. That coward Taehyung has been avoiding me since the night he came over for beers, not answering when I call or text and pretending he's not at the studio when I show up.

But not tonight, I know for a fact he will be here because Viv is so excited that all her favorite men will finally know each other.

"Babe, no. It's tonight, remember?" I hear her talking on the phone sounding a little down and my anger only rises.

I know he's trying to get out of showing up, but if he lets her down today, I'll have to just tell her everything on my own, consequences be damned.

"Okay, perfect! I love you, see you later!" my heart clenches hearing her say that to him knowing he doesn't deserve her. I mean, I don't either, but he definitely doesn't.

"I think everything's set up. I'll meet you back here in a few hours?" she skips over to me excitedly.

"Uh, yeah. I'll have Kookie here at 6 on the dot," I mumble hiding the ruined streamer behind my back.

"Perfect! Thanks for all the help, Jiminie. I'll see you later, love you," she gives me a quick hug and I catch a whiff of her floral scent that I love so much.

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"It's your birthday!" Viv shouts as she dashes to the front door, jumping onto Kook as soon as she sees him.

"It's my fucking birthday!" he yells back spinning her around in a tight embrace.

I laugh watching the two almost topple over as some of the crowd watches them and the others totally ignore their over-the-top actions.

"I can't believe you guys did this for me," Kook wraps his arm around my shoulder pulling me into a group hug.

"Happy birthday, man. Anything for you," I say embracing him tightly.

When my eyes catch sight of Tae over Kook's shoulder, I quickly dislodge myself saying I'll be back. I chase after Tae who's retreating into the crowd and finally catch up to him in front of the men's bathroom.

"What the fuck, man. Why have you been ducking me?" I ask my chest heaving from chasing after him. "We need to talk."

"Fuck off, Jimin there's nothing to talk about," he says shrugging my hand off his arm.

"Nah, man, we have a lot to talk about," I argue grabbing him again and turning him to face me. "You need to tell her the truth."

"I don't need to tell her shit. We are good and I stopped cheating on her a long time ago, you know that," he leans against the wall shoving his hands into his pockets.

"You cheated last month Tae," I say through gritted teeth.

"Just a momentary lapse in judgment. It won't happen again," he says nonchalantly

"If you don't tell her, Tae. I'll be forced to tell her," I say clenching my fist beside me trying to keep myself from punching this asshole.

He smirks looking at me trying to control myself and leans over to talk into my ear.

"I've been with her for two years, who do you think she's going to believe? Me, the one she's so deeply in love with, or the guy who abandoned her?" he pulls away from me with a smug look.

"Drop it or I'll make sure she never talks to you again," he says pushing past me.

"Secrets don't tend to stay secrets for long, Tae! You can tell her whatever you want about me, but I will tell her the truth. She doesn't deserve what you have done," I shout after him and he freezes.

He swiftly turns on his heel and stomps back to me. "Why? Because you're in love with her? You weren't so self-righteous when you thought it was some random girl."

"It's because she's not just some random girl, Tae. She's MY Viv, you don't know what she's gone through. You don't deserve her love, so either end things and keep your secret or I will tell her everything," our chests are touching as we stare daggers at each other before he again turns and walks away from me.

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"Jiminie come and meet my boyfriend!" I hear Viv shouting from the bar as she happily waves me over.

I groan and slowly push my way through the crowd to join Viv, Kookie, and unfortunately, Tae.

"Jimin?" Tae acts surprised to see me as I get closer and quickly pulls me into a hug, slapping my back a little too hard.

"You know each other?" Viv looks between the two of us.

"He's my college roommate that I was spending all that time with," Tae lies, and includes me in his alibi for the last year.

"What a small world, Jimin has been my best friend since high school," she squeals happily before Kookie butts in about being left out and she's coddling him.

"You know you're my favorite boy, Kookie," she squishes his cheeks and he bats her hands away playfully.

"Stop you're ruining my bad boy image," he scolds.

"What bad boy image, you're literally a big soft cute bunny," she teases, and he whines before a brunette scoots closer mentioning how much she likes bunnies.

"Looks like he's going to have a happy birthday, how about we get out of here?" Tae suggests as he back hugs Viv making eye contact with me.

"Viv, can we talk?" I speak up, but Tae quickly turns her around locking lips with her.

"Is it important? Can we talk tomorrow?" she asks once she's managed to slightly pull away from him.

Her concern is back, but before I've had a chance to speak again, Tae scoops her over his shoulder making her laugh.

"Sorry Jiminie, I'm gonna have to take MY gorgeous girl home. We'll catch up soon."

"I'll call you in the morning, Jiminie. I promise!" she shouts back at me as Tae carries her out of the room.

I'll talk to her first thing in the morning!

But I don't. I don't hear from her for weeks despite my best efforts.

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