EIGHTY THREE

The grip on my phone tightens as my eyes travel around my empty house. I'm still trying to absorb what's happening when my phone rings. When I look at the caller, I'm so surprised that I almost drop the phone to the ground. Drake.

Inhaling a deep breath, I lean back against the front door before slumping onto the ground, my legs giving up on me. I press the button, answering the call.

"Hi, Ches," Drake's voice echoes in my ear, and suddenly, I feel like crying.

I miss him so much. I want to pour out all that's inside my heart, all the pain I'm feeling right now. I want to tell him about his best friend whom I've fallen in love with.

But the words won't come out, stuck by the lump in my throat.

How am I going to tell him? Prince has just broken my heart into pieces, all over again.

"Hey," I say, my voice hoarse.

"What's with the voice?" Drake playfully asks. "Still sleepyhead!"

I let out a fake small laugh. "Yeah. Kind of."

He laughs. "I wish I could lie down on my bed now, but