32. Ryan

                                    

                                          
I scrolled through social media, my eyes stumbling upon Alex's posts. He'd shared a heartwarming video of his mom baking a cake, followed by a repost from Charlotte's account. The evidence was clear: their families were meeting.
A pang of despair struck me. I knew what this meant – Alex was truly moving on, leaving me behind.
I tried to numb the pain, reaching for the one thing that could temporarily dull my emotions: alcohol. I knew it was poison for me, but I didn't care. I'd lost all will to live anyway.
After downing two bottles, my senses began to blur. Rational thought slipped away, replaced by a hazy, reckless determination.
I stumbled through my room, searching for my car keys. My mind, clouded by intoxication, whispered a single, destructive thought:
"I need to go to Alex."
I stumbled out of my car, barely avoiding a collision with Alex's front lawn. An unfamiliar vehicle caught my attention – Charlotte's family must have arrived.
I didn't care. My intoxicated haze fueled a reckless determination.
I staggered up to the door and knocked, nearly losing my balance. The door swung open, revealing Doctor Abigail Grant, Alex's mom.
Dr. Grant's expression transformed from concern to outrage as she took in my intoxicated state. She tried to slam the door shut, but I pushed my way inside, stumbling into the foyer.
The room fell silent, with all eyes on me. Charlotte's family stared, their faces a mix of shock and disgust. Alex, dressed in a crisp red jacket and black pants, looked stunning. My gaze lingered, and I couldn't help but lick my lips.
"Ryan, what are you doing here?" Dr. Grant demanded, her voice firm and authoritative.
Alex's eyes locked onto mine, a blend of surprise, concern, and something more – something that made my heart skip a beat.
I wrapped my arms around Alex, pulling him into a tight, almost desperate hug. My face buried in the crook of his neck, I inhaled deeply, savoring his familiar scent.
Alex staggered slightly under my weight, struggling to maintain balance. "Ryan, easy... Alcohol is poison for you. Why did you drink?" he asked, his voice laced with concern and a hint of frustration.
I held on tighter, my words muffled against his skin. "I needed to numb the pain... Seeing you move on, with her... It's killing me, Alex."
"Alex, I thought you'd resolved things with him," Charlotte said, confusion etched on her face.
"Throw him out, now!" Dr. Grant demanded, her voice firm.
Rowan Maverick stood up, his face reddening as he approached me. "Leave my house immediately. My son isn't... like you," he spat, his tone dripping with venom.
I erupted into laughter, the absurdity of the situation hitting me. "You're really going to play the homophobe card, Rowan? That's rich, coming from you."
My gaze locked onto his, and I saw a flicker of tension. "You know exactly why you shouldn't be preaching, don't you? Want to share the secret with everyone?" I taunted, my voice low and menacing.
Rowan's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched. He understood the unspoken threat.
Charlotte stormed towards me, her face twisted in disgust. "Get your filthy hands off him, you sick fuck!" she snarled.
I sneered at her, my anger boiling over. "You want to know the truth? I've had my tongue down Alex's throat, my hands on his skin. I've bitten his thighs, chest, and ass, leaving marks that make him shudder."
Alex's face contorted in horror, his eyes wide with shame. "Ryan, shut the fuck up!"
But I continued, fueled by hurt and betrayal. "I know every inch of him, every mole, every freckle. I know how he trembles when I touch him, how he gasps when I bite his skin."
Alex's face crumpled, and he slapped me hard across the face. "You motherfucker! How dare you!"
Tears streamed down his face as he yelled, "You're destroying me, Ryan! You're ripping me apart and exposing me to everyone!"
I stumbled back, my lip bleeding from the slap. "You want to hide it, Alex? Fine. But you can't deny the way your body responds to mine."
The room fell silent, the only sound Alex's ragged breathing.
Dr. Grant's face was ashen, her eyes wide with shock. Rowan Maverick's expression was thunderous, his fists clenched. Charlotte's parents looked stunned, their faces pale.
"Get out," Alex's mother spat, her voice venomous. "Get out of our house, and never come back, you disgusting excuse for a human being."
I kicked the center table with a resounding crash, sending delicate china and crystal shattering to the floor. Snacks scattered everywhere, and the once-pristine room was now in disarray. My gaze locked onto the majestic cake, its creamy frosting beckoning me. I scooped up a generous helping and smeared it across my lips, the sweetness tangling with my anger.
Then, I seized Alex's face, my lips crushing his in a fierce, possessive kiss. He trembled beneath me, tears streaming down his cheeks as he struggled to break free.
Charlotte's father, Mr. Wellesley, stood aghast, his face purpling with rage. "Charlotte, we've seen enough. Let's leave this... abomination behind."
Charlotte's voice was a dagger, sharp and venomous. "You deceitful bastard, Alex! You led me on, pretending to care. Why did you propose? Why did you let me believe you loved me?"
Her words spilled out in a torrent, each one laced with hurt and betrayal. "You flinched whenever I touched you, avoided my kisses. I thought it was shyness, but it was because of him, wasn't it? Ryan, your constant shadow, your secret lover."
Her eyes blazed with fury. "Mia warned me, but I didn't listen. You're disgusting, Alex. You've manipulated me, used me. Fuck you!"
Charlotte and her parents stormed out, leaving behind a trail of shattered dreams and broken trust. 
Alex's eyes met mine, filled with a turbulent mix of shame, anger, and desperation.