rivals | colby brock ✔️

thirty-two.

"Okay Sam," I breathe out heavily. I walk closer to him with Colby shortly behind. Colby and I look at each other, unsure on what to say.

"So? Come on, talk already! What the hell has been happening?" Sam demands.

Colby and I exchange glances again and try to stutter words and I finally blurt, "I LIKE COLBY!"

"I LIKE ASHLYN!" Colby blurts after.

The next words were just scrambled so quickly, not sure if Sam got it all.

"Colby kissed me at the restaurant!"

"And we swore to never talk about it for the sake of Ellie."

I nod, "Yeah, but this guy here tried to rape me and then Colby just had to go and kiss me again at the party as he saved my ass."

"Mhm, she got all drunk and this guy tried to hurt her so I saved her, basically, and after, we kissed."

"Then because he and Ellie are still together, I didn't say anything because Ellie still deserves a guy like Colby so I had to deal with them together. Ellie's my best friend! She should get that perfect relationship."

"Then we made out at my apartment still behind her back and in my opinion, it wasn't a big deal, Ellie doesn't have to know. Oh, I also told her I liked her as I was kicking her out," Colby mumbles slightly.

"Then the party yesterday came and he caught me saying that I loved Kai, when I don't in that way."

"So I stormed off and she chased me and then I found Ellie fucking another dude."

I glare at Colby, "She was just DRUNK."

"Yeah, whatever. Then Ash fell, almost died, and could've gotten a concussion, so I took her to the hospital, and we watched the sunset after, She told me she liked me too."

"AND THAT'S IT!" Colby and I both say at the same time.

Sam blinks in confusion. "Okay, I only got that you both like each other... You told him you can't be with him for Ellie, he saved you from a bad guy, he kicked you out,... you almost died, and you guys still make out behind Ellie's back because you don't care as long as she thinks she has a perfect relationship with Colby."

"If you say it like that, it sounds more terrible than it already is!" Colby exclaims.

"IT IS TERRIBLE, what the hell do you think you two are doing?" Sam shouts, "WE ALL THOUGHT YOU HATE EACH OTHER!"

"False," I state. "Did you not hear the part where Ellie doesn't deserve to be broken up with at the moment!"

He waves, " Well maybe if you just explain again in English and at the speed of a snail, maybe I'll get it all!"

Colby and I sigh but slightly smile at our complicated life.

"C'mon, we can still talk on the way back to the group," Sam groans, beginning to trot down the board walk.

Colby and I nod, trailing behind.

As we all keep the quick pace, Colby breaks the quiet.

He lightly touches Sam's shoulder, "I'm sorry you had to find out this way, man..."

"I just wished you had told me sooner... you guys are doing something so wrong. You're going to have to tell Ellie soon," He replies.

"No! Ellie can't know, it'll ruin our friendship," I barge.

Sam shakes his head, "It has already ruined ours, Ash. The longer you keep this secret in, the worst the damage will be done."

"Sam..." I murmur with sorrow, "I'm sorry- we're sorry. It'd just be better if Ellie never knew if you think about it."