Total pages in book: 45
Estimated words: 43540 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 218(@200wpm)___ 174(@250wpm)___ 145(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43540 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 218(@200wpm)___ 174(@250wpm)___ 145(@300wpm)
“I wasn’t fucked up.”
Tory rolls her eyes at me. “Let’s not rehash this. I hated what Easton did to you—well, what we thought he did—but I felt really sorry for him. He looked so. . . broken.”
“What did you say when he asked?”
“I just answered honestly. Said you were still just as broken up as him.” She raises her shoulders. “Then I got it in my head that I wanted to save the world one relationship at a time, so I conspired with Ashley to get you to his place.” I stare at her, not sure if I want to strangle her or have a full-out sob session. “I really am sorry. I thought you two would have gotten past your bullshit.”
“Yeah. Me too.”
“You ready to tell me what happened while you were there?”
I sit back on my stool. “I wouldn’t even know where to start.”
“Why don’t you start with the look on your face when the door opened to Easton Cruz. By the way, can we talk about how much hotter he’s gotten? Damn, heartbreak looks good on him.”
“Can we not?”
“You’re right, sorry. Okay, start from the beginning. Wait, hold on. Let me make a real drink. I have a feeling I’m gonna need it.”
***
By the time I finish, Tory has hearts in her eyes, and she’s sipping her third vodka. “Dude, that story. And I can’t believe Russ. What a douche.”
“I know. All this time, I just thought Easton didn’t love me. That I wasn’t good enough. And he was innocent all along.”
“Did you know I almost banged Russ one time?”
“Ew, you did not.”
“Totally did. It was the night we all went to Ray’s for your birthday. We got super wasted. Remember when we shared the Uber home, and I said I would take a separate ride home?”
“Uh, yeah?”
“Snuck into Russ’s room. We fooled around for hours. He was too drunk to have sex, though. It was a blessing in disguise, I guess. Can’t imagine waking up to that level of regret.”
I shake my head, still in disbelief. “I just can’t believe Russ would do that to me. I thought he was my friend.”
“Well, it sounds like your friend was in love with you and very jealous.”
“He was not.”
“Oh, come on. Stop being so naïve. He literally set Easton up to look like he was cheating on you. And those pictures? Were they even legit?”
“What do you mean? It was Easton and that girl. She was all over him.”
“Was it, though? Do you know how easy it is to alter images nowadays? Hello, we’re living in a world of AI.”
“So you’re saying those were fake?”
“Obviously. If Easton says he didn’t do it, those pictures technically don’t exist in real life.”
“Oh my god.” I cover my face with my hands. “What did I do?”
“Since you’re drunk, I say it’s not what you did but what you should do now.” That smile. Nothing good ever comes from that smile.
“Oh great, and what’s that?”
“I say we go confront that asshole.”
“That sounds like a great idea. Not. I don’t even know where Russ lives now. I haven’t talked to him since that day he made a pass at me.”
“Pfft. If you exist, you’re on the internet.” After a quick search, Tory yells, “Bam. Let’s go!” She gets up and grabs her purse.
“Dude, I’m hamboned right now. I’m not driving anywhere.”
“Hell no. Who said anything about driving?” She taps on her phone. “There, Jerry will be here in three minutes. Let’s go.”
***
Seventeen minutes later, we pull up to Russ’s apartment. “Oh my god, I’m nervous.”
“Don’t be. This is your chance for answers. Closure. Possibly revenge.”
I twist in the backseat. “Revenge? What do you exactly think’s gonna go down here?”
“Well, you can confront him. Ask him why he lied and sabotaged your relationship. I guess we could have brought him some of your martini concoctions. Those would be a good form of torture—ow! I’m not the one you should be violent with.”
“Stop mocking my martinis.”
Tory rubs her upper arm. “Fine. Geez.”
“What if I start by asking why he tried to ruin my life?”
“That’s a great start.”
“And if he denies it?”
“How can he deny it? You have proof. But if he does, knee him in the balls.”
I look back at her. I have no urge to physically harm him. I just want to talk. Understand why he did what he did. “I just need closure. Okay, I’m going in.”
“Want me to come with you for support?”
“No, I got this. Keep Jerry busy.”
I exit the car, walk up to the apartment building, find Russ’s number, and press his buzzer.
“Yeah?”
“Russ, it’s Callie. Let me in.”
“Callie?”
“Open up. I need to talk to you.”
“Yeah, sure. Of course. Come on up.” The buzzer sounds, letting me in. Like a woman on a mission, I take the stairs two at a time, rehearsing what I’ll say. Why the hell did you lie to me? How could you do this to Easton? How did you get those photos? How can you live with yourself? Question after question races through my mind by the time I hit the third floor. Out of breath, I slam my fist on his door. It quickly opens, and he steps out. “Callie, wow. I can’t believe—”