Chapter 2: It’s My Ex

_Lynette’s Point Of View_

“Lynn, you can’t let this get to you. I know it’s so much harder than it sounds, but you have to try,” Jessy’s concerned voice said.

I was currently sitting on the floor of my room with my back to the door, and Jess was on the other side, trying to get me to open up.

I knew I said I wasn’t going to cry, but as soon as Jess wrapped her arms around me when she first got here, the dam broke.

I didn’t want her to see me crying so much, so I ran into my room and locked the door behind me.

“Eight years, and what do I have to show for it?” I sobbed. “A used condom on his backseat and him trying to gaslight the hell out of me. I wasted my time on him, Jess.”

The pain of what I just lost was so raw, it hurt physically.

“Don’t say that, babes. You didn’t waste anything. You learned a lot about yourself and life too. It may seem insignificant at the moment, but trust me, it’s not. And this, this is his loss, not yours. Open the door and let me in, Lynn, I’m worried about you.”

“I’m fine, I’m fine,” I said, sniffing back the rest of my tears.

“Open the door and let me see for myself,” she said softly.

Taking a deep breath, I scooted on my ass away from the door and I opened it without standing up. I didn’t have the strength to.

As soon as Jessy saw my red-rimmed eyes, her expression soured, and a fresh round of tears threatened to leak from my eyes.

“Ohh, baby, come here,” she said, getting on the floor with me and pulling me into a warm embrace.

My body shook violently as I cried on her shoulders, rambling incoherently.

“W-Why did he do that to me? After five years of friendship, two years dating, and a year of being engaged. Where do I begin now? It’s three months to our wedding, Jess. What about all the preparations?”

Jessy pulled me back by my shoulders.

“You have me. We’ll figure it out together, okay? It won’t be easy, but I’ll be here with you through every bump on the road.”

I looked at Jessy and nodded, grateful for her unwavering friendship and support. She had been one of the biggest blessings in my life, and I loved her to death and back.

“Okay,” I said, wiping my tears away.

“I think I know what will cheer you up. Let’s go out to chase some of the bad stuff away. It’ll do you some good. You’re already dressed up, so we’ll just do some touch up for points to your aura, and we’re good to go,” she affirmed.

I shook my head once. “I don’t know, Jess. No one wants to be around me and my runny nose right now.”

“Well I’m here, and whoever has a problem with it can use the exit button. Come on,” she jerked me by my shoulders, her eyes gleaming with excitement. “In times like these, having fun could be a great way to get yourself back on track.”

“You go alone, Jess. I don’t want to ruin your fun for you.”

She feigned offense. “Bold of you to assume this night is for me.” When I cocked an eyebrow to her, she laughed. “Okay, fine, maybe I’ll have a drink or two too, but I want this for you. It’ll be fun, I promise.”

“Maybe I should just get my laptop and work some more before I retire for the night. I may be heartbroken, but I still have a job to keep, and who knows, work may just be what I need to pull me out of this,” I bargained.

Jessy blew a raspberry, causing me to giggle.

“No, it won’t. What you need is a good time, and not more stress to your brain. Work can wait. And who knows, you can find someone to go home with tonight.”

Scrunching my nose up to the idea, Jessy giggled.

“Fine. No hotties. Just shots. Come on!”

Weighing the pros and cons, I realized that there was no reason for me to keep sulking. I still had my sexy outfit

on, and if it didn’t serve one purpose, it could serve another.

“Fine.” I gave in. “Let’s do it.”

Jessy’s shriek could be heard all over New York City.

“We’ll have a blast time,” she promised, and I couldn’t help but smile.

We ended up inside a club, and as laser lights shone unsteadily across the crowded dance floor, and the smell of excessive body spray clouded my nostrils, I wanted nothing more than to leave.

Jessy was full of life and vibrant as always.

"Come on, Lyn!" Her voice was hardly audible over the noise. "It's time to party! Relax and enjoy yourself!"

I tried to be enthusiastic just like her, but I couldn't. I felt discomfort seeping through my bones.

"I’m trying, Jess, it’s just...I'm not feeling it tonight."

But Jessy, ever the optimist, was not going to let my gloomy attitude stop us. She grabbed my hand and pulled me into the crowd with a malicious gleam in her eyes.

I forced myself to give in, swaying my hips to the song that played over the speakers, when all of a sudden, a sharp pain zapped the front of my head and my right eye.

The volume of the music increased in my ears, and the lights began to blend into a rainbow of colors.

“I shouldn’t have come here!” I said to myself angrily, struggling in between sweaty bodies in search of an exit.

I staggered to a nearby corner and tried to steady myself by leaning against the wall, my breaths coming in short, rapid gasps as I tried to manage the oncoming migraine.

It was then that I saw him.

He was the only one at the bar of the club, taking shot after shot of alcohol. His shadow stood out against the club's fading lights, and his toned body spoke strength and power.

His impeccable clothing showed off his muscles with every motion, giving no room for dispute about his physical might. A strong jawline with well-groomed stubble adorned his face, giving his otherwise elegant appearance a rustic charm.

He exuded an aura of confidence and power that was impossible to ignore, and I found myself moving to him on instinct. But aside from my apparent attraction to the seductive man, I was concerned about his continuous drinking.

“Hey, you shouldn’t be drinking that much,” I said to him over the loud music, and it took a second for him to tilt his head to face me.

My words died in my throat. The man was freaking gorgeous.

I found my voice when it seemed we were just staring at each other without speaking. “No matter what it is, drinking like this won’t solve the problem.”

He spoke after a stretching silence. “And how exactly would you know what will solve my problems?” He asked, his thick baritone voice low, and laden with emotions that had me clenching my thighs together. He wasn’t being rude, just curt. “And why do you care?”

I shrugged. “I just got out of a relationship, badly, might I add, and you don’t see me drowning myself in a bottle. Look, you’ll only hurt yourself more with this, so trust me when I say it’s not worth it.”

His dark eyes pierced through me, and my words came out as a string of stutters.

This man that I had just met, was doing more to my body than Victor did all through the time we were together. I knew beyond a doubt that he could do more.

Encouraging myself to throw caution to the wind for once and put myself first, I asked on a shaky breath.

“Do you want to dance?”

I saw the wheels turning in his eyes for long seconds, but he finally gave in and stood up, and I smiled triumphantly.

Following his lead, we made it to the dance floor, and I turned to face him, wrapping my hands around his tall neck.

His hands found my hips, and I was surprised when I didn’t feel repulsed by the action.

What accent did I hear from him?

What scent did his masculine cologne remind me of? Was it…

“Lynnette!” An angry male voice barked, and I froze, recognizing it all too well, and preparing myself for a second round of embarrassment.

“Shit. It’s my ex,” I whispered quietly.