Call me when you hate me - Let's Just Be Friends

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📞 Call Me When You Hate Me

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Episode 7 — "Let's Just Be Friends"

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Liam couldn't stop thinking about Adrian's question.

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> "When I drove away yesterday... why did you look disappointed?"

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He still didn't have an answer.

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And maybe...

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He wouldn't find one until he stopped lying to himself.

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---

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That evening, Nathan texted him.

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> Nathan: Dinner tonight? I made a reservation at our old restaurant.

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Liam stared at the message for a long time.

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Finally, he replied.

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> Liam: Okay.

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---

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7:30 PM.

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The restaurant looked exactly the same.

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The same tables.

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The same music.

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The same corner where they had celebrated their second anniversary.

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Nathan smiled as Liam sat down.

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"I ordered your favorite pasta."

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Liam forced a small smile.

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"Thanks."

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The conversation started easily.

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Work.

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Life.

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Funny memories.

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For a moment, it almost felt like old times.

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Almost.

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---

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Halfway through dinner, Nathan reached across the table.

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He gently took Liam's hand.

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Liam instinctively pulled it back.

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Nathan's smile faded.

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"...Liam?"

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"I'm sorry."

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"You don't have to apologize."

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Silence settled between them.

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Nathan looked at him carefully.

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"You're different."

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Liam lowered his eyes.

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"I know."

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"You don't look at me the way you used to."

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No answer.

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Nathan sighed.

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"Is there someone else?"

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Liam immediately shook his head.

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"No."

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"Then what's wrong?"

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Liam took a deep breath.

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He had been avoiding this conversation.

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But it wasn't fair anymore.

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Not to Nathan.

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Not to himself.

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---

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"Nathan..."

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His voice was quiet.

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"When you came back..."

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"I thought I wanted another chance."

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Nathan listened without interrupting.

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"But I realized something."

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He looked up.

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"I don't miss our relationship."

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Nathan's expression slowly fell.

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"I miss the memories."

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"I miss the version of us that existed before everything went wrong."

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Another pause.

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"But I can't go back."

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Nathan looked away.

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"So..."

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"What are you saying?"

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Liam smiled sadly.

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"I don't think I can be your boyfriend again."

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Nathan closed his eyes for a moment.

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The words clearly hurt.

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"But..."

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Liam continued gently,

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"If you're willing..."

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"I'd like us to be friends."

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Silence.

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A long silence.

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Finally, Nathan let out a quiet laugh.

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"I guess I deserve that."

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Liam frowned.

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"Nathan..."

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"I broke your trust."

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Nathan smiled bitterly.

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"I kept hoping I could fix it."

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He looked at Liam.

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"But love isn't something you can ask to come back."

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Liam nodded slowly.

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"No."

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"It isn't."

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Nathan stood up.

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Then surprised Liam by pulling him into a brief hug.

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This time...

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It felt peaceful.

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Not romantic.

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Just two people finally letting go.

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Nathan stepped back.

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"I hope whoever you fall in love with next..."

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He smiled sincerely.

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"...treats you better than I did."

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Liam smiled.

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"I hope so too."

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---

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Outside the restaurant, they went their separate ways.

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For the first time in months...

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Liam didn't look back.

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His chapter with Nathan had finally ended.

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---

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The next morning, Liam arrived at the office feeling lighter.

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Scarlett noticed immediately.

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"You talked to him?"

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Liam nodded.

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"We're just friends now."

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She smiled proudly.

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"I'm happy for you."

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Liam smiled back.

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"So am I."

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At that exact moment, the elevator doors opened.

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Adrian stepped out.

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Dressed in his usual black suit.

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Coffee in one hand.

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Phone in the other.

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Their eyes met.

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For only a second.

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Then Adrian gave a small, almost imperceptible nod.

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And for some reason...

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Liam smiled.

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A real smile.

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One that Adrian noticed.

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One that made the corners of Adrian's lips lift ever so slightly before he walked away.

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Neither of them realized it.

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But for the first time since the contract began...

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There was no ex standing between them anymore.

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To Be Continued... 🖤📞40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvegOQaM3PT

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