The Target Was Me

I'd made plans to spend New Year's Eve with my fiancee, Sophie Bennett.

I'd even rushed home with a custom cake I picked up just for us.

However, my smile slipped the second I walked in.

A photo of Sophie and me that was hanging on the wall was being used as a dartboard.

Her guy best friend, Sean Hewitt, had one arm wrapped around her waist while casually throwing darts at it.

"Oh, hey, you're back?" he said with a grin. "Perfect timing. We're playing Truth or Dare."

The words had barely left his mouth when another dart hit the photo—right in my face.

My chest tightened as I parted my lips to call him out.

Yet, Sean only laughed. "Wow, hit you again? Guess even fate thinks you two aren't meant to be."

Then, he added, all fake innocence, "Don't get the wrong idea, alright? It's just a game. Sophie and I are basically bros. You're not seriously bothered by this, are you?"

I stood there, completely still.

As I stared at that photo completely riddled with holes, I couldn't help but think it looked a lot like my heart at that moment.

Sophie gave him a half-hearted scolding. "Alright, cut it out."

But Sean just put on a wounded look and kept his arm around her waist.

Sophie only smiled helplessly before turning to me with clear impatience. "Sean's just messing around. Don't stand there with that look on your face and kill the mood. It's just a photo. We can print another one tomorrow. Stop being so petty."

Clearing Out the Trash

Sophie Bennett shot me a warning look, threatening me that I'd be the one making a scene if I dared to say one more word.

I ignored her and stared at the wreckage in the living room instead.

The home I had carefully built was destroyed. Empty beer cans were scattered on the floor, and the sharp smell in the air made me feel sick.

Sean Hewitt saw the cake in my hands and grinned smugly. "Hey, Max, Sophie said she doesn't even like sweets. That cake is too rich. I've already ordered a barbecue, so you don't need to bother."

Before he even finished speaking, he reached for the cake like he had every right to take it.

I stepped aside, the anger rising in my chest turning into a cold smile.

"Oh? Sophie doesn't like sweets?" I responded. "Then, what about all those desserts I made for her in the past? Did they all go straight into a dog's stomach?"

Sean's face changed instantly. "Who the hell are you calling a dog?"

The way he snapped told me everything I needed to know. 'So that's it. Every dessert I make for Sophie ends up in Sean's grubby hands.'

"Max, do you really have to talk like that?" Sophie frowned. "I really don't like sweets. I didn't say anything because I didn't want to hurt your feelings."

I nearly burst out laughing out of sheer anger.

Anyone hearing that would've thought she was talking to some clingy admirer she couldn't shake off.

What a joke.

To think that all my sincerity was wasted on people like them.

The other three friends in the room clearly sensed the tension and tried to smooth things over.

One of the girls, Zoe Farell, spoke first. "Um... since Max is back, maybe we should head out? We'll let you two enjoy your New Year's together."

Another guy nodded and reached for his bag. "Yeah, it's getting late anyway. We should probably find somewhere else to do the countdown."

"Oh, come on, why leave now?" Sean grabbed him and raised his voice. "The more people here, the better. Max shouldn't be spending New Year's alone in silence. Plus, Sophie already promised to spend it with me. Won't I seem like the bad guy if you guys leave just like that?"

Then, he turned to me with all his fake innocence and added, "Come on, Max. Sophie and I are just close friends. What's wrong with us having a little fun together? You're not seriously bothered by that, are you?"

Before I could even answer, Sophie beat me to it. "That's enough. Nobody's leaving. Max is not that petty. He knows how to act like an adult."

I glanced at Sean's smug face and then at Sophie's self-righteous expression.

Suddenly, it all made sense.

Perhaps this was the first lesson the new year was offering me.

It was time for me to get rid of the clutter.

The cold look on my face faded, replaced by a calm, relaxed smile.

"Of course, I don't mind. You guys shouldn't leave. Honestly, just throwing darts at a photo is dull. If we're going to play, let's actually make it fun."