A Brand New Ending

Chapter 57

Braeden



After I blow out the candles and shut off the lights I start to make my way down the alley way, a trash bag in both hands. Opening the dumpster I throw them in. When I turn around a movement catching my eye, it making me jump.

"Jesus Christ," I spit out.

"Don't take the lord's name in vain," he responds.

"I didn't know you were so religious."

"I'm not," he says.

I become confused. "I thought you left a while ago."

"I did, but I came back."

I furrow my brow at him. I instantly know something is up. I can feel it. "What's going on?"

My father's eyes shift around us. "I want you to know that I will always love your mother. And in no way will anyone ever replace her."

My heart sinks.

"But I have been dating someone for quite some time now. I have tried a hundred different ways to tell you, but I never wanted to hurt you. But I guess it's not that much of a secret now."

I become more confused.

"Who is it?"

"Chelsea."

I laugh out loud.

"Isn't she a little young for you?”

"Don't be cruel," my father spits. "Your mother and I didn't raise you that way."

I laugh again. "I'm sure she would love you dating someone that's old enough to be my older sister."

My father shakes his head. "I came here to tell you. I thought you would be a man about this. I was clearly wrong."

He goes to turn around and my emotions are a mixture of rage and sadness.

"Wait," I say, his face turning back to face me. "What do you mean it's not a secret anymore?"

I see my father's face change.

"Tell me," I demand.

"Phoenix found us together last night. I figured she would have told you."

Bile rises in my throat. The change in her behavior. How she never showed up in front of the bathrooms. I push past my father, done with this conversation. I bound up the stairs to my apartment and push open the bedroom door, the room completely dark. I slam the door shut behind me.