Losing Game

Ready...Set...Go!

Day 1

The bed felt empty without her there. He missed her warm body, the way she would tuck her head into his neck, and the way she looked so peaceful when she slept. It was hard for Flip to fall asleep without it now that she wasn't here. Every little noise would cause him to wake from his light slumber, thinking that Noah was coming in to tell him about how he had another nightmare. His mind was betraying him, and he would fall back on his pillow with tear-filled eyes every time he realized that Noah wasn't actually there.

When Flip did finally sleep, he was either plagued with the memories they had shared or her painfilled screams as Nolan snickered over the phone. His imagination ran wild with all the scenarios he thought of as to what he had done to her. Her screams were too real to be fake, and the way she begged him to help her... His heart was breaking all over again. Did she really think he meant all those things he had said? Did she think he wouldn't look for her?

The morning had arrived much to his dismay. He was living his worst nightmare now. He slipped out of the bed in Zoey and Ronnie's guest room, walking into the adjacent bathroom. He turned the cold water on and let it run as he gripped the sink and let his head hang. He cupped his hands under the running water, letting the cool water fill them before he brought it to his face letting it wash over him. He looked at himself in the mirror, noticing how his eyes were still red and raw from lack of sleep and tears. The growing circles under his eyes didn't fare much better. He quickly grabbed a towel, drying the remnants of water from his face, and brushed his teeth.

Zoey and Ronnie were already awake and sitting at their kitchen table when Flip walked in to join them. Ronnie got up out of his seat and walked to the mug tree on the counter. He pulled one off, before filling it with some coffee and walked it over to where Flip stood.

"Here," Ronnie said offering the steaming cup to him.

Flip took it willingly and took a sip while they continued to watch him.

"Geez guys, I know I look like shit, but this whole staring contest we are having isn't helping.

Ronnie and Zoey quickly looked away. "No!" They both exclaimed at the same time.

"That's not what we were trying to do. I'm sorry." Zoey explained, her cheeks tinted red with embarrassment. "Did you sleep alright?"

Flip made his way over to the table, joining them. "Yeah, yeah. I slept fine."

Zoey tilted her head down and raised her eyebrows at him. "Seriously? You're a terrible liar, Flip."

He chuckled, taking another sip of coffee, "Yeah, I am. Last night was hard, but I'm good."

"Ron called earlier, said when we were all up for it, we could head over to the apartment and check it out. I'm sure they left something behind." Ronnie stated.

Flip's stomach twisted at the mention of his apartment...their apartment...She had been so angry with him. He could still see the hurt in her eyes, the fear. That argument haunted him more than he wanted to admit. He never should have said those things to her and yes, what she had said hadn't been much better, but in the end, the only person he could truly control was himself.

He shut his eyes trying to get his mind to erase the memories of the last things he had said to her.

...mother of the year right?

You and Nolan are fucking perfect for each other...

"Flip." Ronnie said, getting his attention, "That sounds good to you?"

Flip nodded, "Yeah. It needs to be done. The faster we can find, them the better."

"Did Nolan ever reach out again after last night?"