The Breakup [brollins]

thirty-one

"Happy Birthday!" Seth smiled as he woke me up the following week. I pulled the covers over my head for two reasons: I hate being woken up, and I hate my birthday. I never like all the attention drawn to me.

"Thanks," I grumbled.

"Come on, Becks, I got you a present!" He said, surprising me. I would have never thought he would have remembered my birthday, let alone get me a present. I moved the blankets from over my head and sat up. "You didn't have to do that, Seth."

I couldn't help but smile. The idea of him putting in the effort to wake me up and give me a present made me feel warm inside. Even if he got me a rock I'd be happy.

"Too bad, I did."

A little smile formed on my face as he pulled flowers out from behind his back and a package of chocolate mints that I love. Before taking a second to think about anything, I grabbed the collar of his shirt and pulled his lips onto mine for a short, thankful kiss.

"Thank you," I whispered against his lips, my fingers still on the collar of his usual black button-up. I blushed slightly when I pulled away and grabbed the items from his inviting hands. He opened his mouth to say something, but his phone ringing interrupted him. He went into the other room to take the call.

It has been a week since the incident, and he seemed to feel a lot better. Vince let him off with a warning after drug testing him. Seth came back clean, but Vince was still unconvinced. Ha, get it?

Flowers. Seth got me flowers. I couldn't help but still have the thought in my mind on if we were dating or not. I was pretty sure that flowers meant more than just friends, right?

Seth walked into the room a few moments later, the happy look on his face gone as he cleared his throat. "What's wrong?" I asked.

"Dean and Roman want to get lunch," he replied.

"Go," I smiled, "I really don't like birthday's anyways."

"I'll go if you come with me."

I smiled before getting ready. We went to a small brunch place, and I was met with a happy hug from Roman. "Happy birthday, Becky! Do you remember me from-?"

"Yes, and thank you," I interrupted, not wanting to remember the night in the hospital with Seth and Dean.

We all sat down, and I was met with Dean's gaze. I uncomfortably read the menu in front of me but calmed down when I felt Seth's hand graze my thigh under the table.

"I wanted beer not coffee," Dean finally said.

"You almost ruined that for Seth, so no more, Dean," Roman said. It made me wonder if Dean set us up or not. What if Dean was sending me those weird texts? If so, why did he want to scare me off so badly? I didn't think I could have lost Seth. We have grown so close and I truly did care about him. Whether we were dating or not, I didn't want to ever be away from him.

I snapped out of my thoughts when I realized Seth's hand was clenching my thigh pretty hard. I didn't understand why until I tuned in to Dean's rant about drinking. I knew he felt on edge, but I felt it would have been wrong to let him know he was definitely crushing my thigh. I knew that he liked to be comforted when sad, but when angry it was best to just let him do his thing.

Even though I do in fact hate when it's my birthday, it wasn't ideal for us to spend it listening to Dean's rant. "Dean-" Seth tried to say. I saw him gritting his teeth.

"Seth doesn't need this right now," Roman said.

This awkward conversation made me feel uncomfortable, especially with the food not here yet to distract me.

"You're so selfish, Seth," Dean said, catching my attention. "All you ever think about is yourself and bettering yourself or your little relationship over here."

"Stop, Dean," Seth said surprisingly calm. I couldn't help but notice how he didn't address the 'relationship' part of Dean's comment. I looked around and noticed people staring. My gaze fell to the hand on my thigh still squeezing me to death.

Dean suddenly stood up, bringing my attention back to him. "You know what?" Dean's gaze turned towards me. "Happy fucking birthday, Becky," he said before grabbing my cup of coffee and splashing it in my face.

Gasps echoed through the room as people around us watched attentively. "Dating Becky won't make you any better of a person, no matter what anyone says!" Dean yelled before storming out of the little restaurant.

Even with the coffee being soaked up in my clothes and my mouth dropped to my feet, I couldn't help but catch that last comment. Was Seth with me just to clean up his image?

"I'm so sorry," Roman said before chasing after Dean.

Seth stood up, forcefully pushing his chair back. I grabbed his arm before he walked away, knowing he was going to go beat up Dean. He grabbed some napkins to help, but nothing would have removed the stains.

"Becky, I am so sorry," he said faintly. I looked in his eyes and saw regret sink into him. I knew that his apology was about more than just the coffee all over me.

"It's not your fault," I said, also knowing he was rethinking his decision of bringing me out with him. Even though a quiet birthday celebration didn't really happen, I couldn't be mad at him. I knew he didn't cause that to happen, and I knew he wouldn't have tried to do that on my birthday.

"I still screwed up your birthday."

I shook my head, replying fast to his anger as he was still quickly wiping me down. "You didn't," I said, "but I want to go back to the hotel."

He nodded quickly before throwing a 50 dollar bill on the table in front of us. "Okay let's go."

"I want to go alone," I said, standing up to meet his eyes. A look of disappointment sunk in him as we silently stared at each other.

"Okay I'll walk you back," he replied. I could hear the stress in his voice. I knew he felt like he ruined everything, but I just wanted time to think.

"I'll walk alone," I replied, feeling tightness in my chest when I noticed the hurt that flashed in Seth's gaze.

He looked down, nervously playing with all the dirty napkins he helped me clean up with. "Alright."

I appreciated that he didn't force me to do otherwise, something Dolph definitely would have done. I began to walk out until he stopped me. His fingers wrapped around my wrist and turned me around to face him.

"I'm really sorry, Becky."

"It's fine, really," I replied, hoping he knew it truly was fine. I pulled him in for a quick hug. "I'll see you later tonight," I whispered in his ear. I hoped he knew I wasn't mad at him, just the situation.

I felt that he was cautious to hug me back, but I eventually felt his arms wrap around my waist. "Okay," he replied.

I let go and gave him a faint nod, walking out of the little restaurant. I looked back in the window and sighed when I noticed the waitress bring out our food, and Seth stood there with dirty napkins still in hand.