Six Years of Empty Love

For six years, I was the loyal, grateful boyfriend, constantly working to keep Nicole, the "it girl" every guy wanted, by my side. I tolerated her college ex, Ryan, a trust-fund musician who always lingered, a constant source of anxiety and a recurring fight.

Tonight, at a packed Super Bowl party, the simmering tension exploded. As I watched from across the room, Ryan, his arm draped casually over her, leaned in and kissed her-a deep, dramatic, movie-style kiss-right in front of everyone.