Chapter 2
I silently picked up the ring and left it on the table.
Just as I was about to pack my bags and leave, my best friend Emma Waller sent me a video.
Andrew was drunk, his eyes rimmed red and glistening with unshed tears.
His friends were all trying to cheer him up.
"Don't sweat it, Andy. With your looks, your body, and your bank account, you could have any girl lining up for you. Now that Charlotte's out of the picture, there are tons of women just waiting for a shot. Seriously, what are you even worried about?" one of the guys joked.
"Yeah, man! Don't let one girl mess you up," another chimed in.
Sophia was there, too, giving Andrew a look that lingered—like she was saying more than words ever could.
The dice rolled right up to Andrew, and his buddy shoved them into his hand.
"Come on, man, just let loose tonight. Forget all that crap. By tomorrow, you'll feel way better," his friend urged.
Andrew rolled the dice, barely paying attention.
"Six!" one of the guys yelled.
Suddenly, all the guys perked up, eyes gleaming.
The card held by the "King" of the game read: [Whoever rolls a six has to share a noodle with someone of the opposite sex—Lady and the Tramp style!]
And there was only one female in sight—Sophia.
"Man, this is destiny at work!"
"Andy's a total chick magnet. Charlotte just walked out, and boom—the universe already set him up with his next girl."
"Seriously, Andy and Sophie grew up side by side. They know each other better than anyone—nothing's off limits. If anyone's built for the long haul, it's them," someone else added.
Sophia, looking all bashful, took one end of the noodle between her lips.
Andrew, tipsy and soft-eyed, gave her that familiar, indulgent grin.
However, just as Sophia was about to close the gap, Andrew got up and pulled out his phone to call me.
"Charlie, can you come to the bar? They're making me do this Lady and the Tramp thing with a girl, and if I don't, they won't let me leave," Andrew said.
He probably had no idea I'd already seen the video Emma sent me.
But even if I hadn't, I still wouldn't have gone along with it.
That was just how I was.
I could give someone chance after chance, but once you pushed me too far, I was done for good.
"No," I said, my voice cold and final.
He hesitated, sounding uncertain. "Charlie... are you really okay with me sharing a noodle with Sophie?"
"Whatever," I said coldly.
"Don't say things out of anger, Charlie," Andrew pleaded.
"I'm not. You let Sophie wear my wedding ring—sharing a noodle is nothing," I retorted.
He went silent for a moment. Clenching his teeth, he pleaded, "I know I screwed up. Can't you give me a break?"
However, I hung up on him without a word.
Not long after, another video popped up on my phone.
Furious, Andrew hurled his phone aside.
Looking up, he caught sight of Emma filming him.
Emma's hands shook as he tried to make a run for it.
But Andrew caught her and pulled her right back.
"Charlie put you up to this, right?" he demanded.
Emma went wide-eyed with panic, but Andrew just let out a cold laugh and hauled her over to the booth.
"Oh, you're so eager to film, huh? Then you'd better get it all on camera!" Andrew sneered.
With that, he grabbed Sophie and pulled her close, kissing her fiercely, pouring out all his pent-up frustration.
Forget the noodle—this was the real deal, a full-on kiss.
"Whoa!" The guys instantly started recording, phones out everywhere.
They stayed locked in that heated kiss for a solid ten minutes before finally breaking apart.
Andrew had Sophia's lipstick smeared on his lips, looking irresistibly rakish and wild.
He glanced at the camera, his smile pure mockery.
As I watched the video, a storm of emotions churned inside me.
Today was our five-year anniversary.