All Chapters of Falling Just as Hard: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

OLIVIAWe’re still holding hands when we step into the apartment and that’s the first thing Jake notices.His eyes move from me to Sharlene and back again then rest on our joined hands. His eyes twitch, that’s the only reaction from him.There are no signs of the girls from last night, he must have asked them to leave after Sharlene walked in. For that I was grateful, that way Sharlene would not be able to see the humiliation Jake is putting me through.With a final glance at Jake I let my hand slip from Sharlene’s and go to my room. They could stay there and do whatever it is that siblings do.As for me, I was going to treat this wedding like it was a real one because after everything that has happened, I had a feeling that I would never have the courage to get married again. Or at least for real.So I was going this one as much as I could and not even Jake was going to ruin it for me.Just before I shut my door I hear Jake and Sharlene talking, more like arguing because their voice

OLIVIAWe go to random stores after that. We buy jewelry and whatever it is that Sharlene deemed important for a wedding.She even gets us matching necklaces at some point with our initials at the back. I’m not sure how she convinced the jeweller to brand it on the spot but it worked.I would do whatever she asked if she threatened me the way she did the jeweller in her drunken state.Sharlene was right, alcohol brings out all the fun. I could get used to this.I wish Jess was with us, lord knows she could use some fun in her life especially with the entire marriage thing going on.I imagine the desperation she feels being tied down to someone forever. Mine was just going to last three months but it felt like an eternal cage. I had to go back and find a way to help her.“Hey! What are you thinking so much about?” Sharlene asks me as our cab pulls into the parking lot of a bustling bar.“My best friend, her parents are making her get married to someone she does not even know” I whine,

OLIVIAThe ride home in his car is silent, but not awkward. We’re both drowned in our thoughts, me especially because I don’t know what to expect from Jake.I don’t want to assume that the actions he had displayed back at the club was out of jealousy. I mean that is one emotion that I can never expect from him, not when he had several women lined up and waiting to take my position.“You didn’t have to carry me out like that, I’m not a child. You should have just called me out.”I didn’t expect a response so I’m baffled when he comes to an abrupt stop and turns to give me a stern look. “And would you have followed me? Willing?”I’m tongue-tied because I don’t have the answer to his question. Or maybe it’s because I was too ashamed of my answer, it would seem pathetic to say that I would drop everything I have and follow me if he ever asked.The light turns green and I’m spared from answering. Instead I put all of my focus on the window and stare at the night life that breezes past us.

OLIVIAWe stand there, engaged in a staring contest. Of course I lose because in my defense his eyes aren’t really the type you’d like to look into for a long time. It feels like they’ll drag you into the plainness of them.“I’m out of here,” I mutter under my breath and try to push past him. He’s not even trying to be gentle at this point, he pushes my shoulders hard enough that I stumble and fall to the floor.It hurt, really bad. I hope I’ve not bruised my tail bone because it would be even more painful.With a muffled sob I stand up with much difficulty and hold on to the table so I don’t go falling down again.“Why won’t you let me leave? It’s clear that you don’t want mt here anymore,” I say, growing frustrated with every minute that passed us by.“I’ll let you leave on only one condition,” he starts with a raised brow. “You’ll ever contact Jake again.”“What sort of joke is that? What of the wedding? I think you’re missing a lot with what you’re asking me to do.”Kyle shakes hi

OLIVIAIt was a complete bluff saying that I won’t see Jake, that much is certain when I find my way back to the apartment.Maybe it was a coincidence that the building he had left me in was around the corner. I take bold steps towards his building, telling myself that I was here just for answers and to take a few necessities from my room.How do I face him after knowing all that he has done? I wonder if he’ll try to deny it in my face or act all natural like what he did wasn’t a big deal. It wouldn’t be to him anyway, stealing girls’ heart must come to him so naturally.Even as I pound up the stairs I fought with myself if what I was doing was right. If confronting him would be okay or if it would only end up hurting me the more.I pause when I’m halfway through the stairs and try to talk myself out of seeing him. There’s a huge possibility that he was with his newly wedded wife at the moment and I might be interrupting something pretty intimate between them.They got married hours a