Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 86751 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 434(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86751 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 434(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
“We? Who exactly are you?”
“Miles and I are special agents for the State Bureau of Investigation.”
I blink at him. “Get out, Max.”
His eyes go to my suitcase. “Don’t leave, Callie, please. I can’t stay with you right now, but I want the chance to talk to you later, to give you a full explanation. Miles will want to talk to you, too.”
I need him to go, because tears are threatening. “How could you do this to me? You used me!”
“Callie, we didn’t want to hurt you.”
I’m trapped in a nightmare. Everything has been a lie. My sister’s wedding is ruined. Her new marriage may very well be over. My family’s never going to speak to me again, and they’ll be completely justified in hating me.
“Get out now, Max, or I’m calling security.”
The only good thing that happens all day is that my roommates aren’t home when I get there. I can’t bear to face them, either.
Earlier, I was texting them about how well everything was going. I was giddy with happiness, looking forward to telling them about Max and Miles. Now, my life is ruined, and even worse, Sadie’s life, too.
Somehow, I manage not to vomit again.
All I want to do is go to bed, but I need to shower first. My skin feels dirty, like I’ve been touched by strangers, which I have.
Once I feel sufficiently clean, I pull on shorts and an old t-shirt, turn off my phone, crawl under the covers and cry myself to sleep.
CHAPTER 57
CALLIE
After waking up multiple times throughout the morning and falling back asleep because I don’t want to face the world, I eventually need to leave my room sometime after ten to use the bathroom.
When I come out, my roommates are both waiting for me in the hall.
Grinning, Ana peers into the bathroom. “Is there a man in there with you?” Then she sees my face.
Marissa had already noticed my distress. “Callie, what happened? Why are you home early?”
I want to push by them and go back to hide in my bed, but I feel like I owe them an explanation, and maybe talking things through will help shut down the constantly spinning thoughts that kept me from sleeping soundly.
Normally, my sister is my person when I need emotional support, but I’m sure I’m the last person she wants to see.
That thought brings tears to my eyes, and my roommates immediately rush to my side.
“Callie, what’s wrong?”
“What happened?”
They steer me into the living room and sit next to me on the couch after bringing over a box of tissues.
“I was so stupid! I should have known better than to trust them. I should have known.” Both of their jaws drop, as I tell them who Max and Miles really are, just as Max told me. “It turns out they were using me, too, just like my ex.”
“They arrested your sister’s father-in-law?” Marissa says.
“They said he’s a drug trafficker. They used me as a way to get invited to the wedding, so they could bust him.”
There are long pauses between me speaking and my roommates responding, as they let the information sink in, and I completely understand, because it’s still so hard to believe.
“Secret agents,” Ana repeats, looking stunned. “Why didn’t they tell you ahead of time?”
“It’s right there in the job title, Ana,” Marissa says. “Secret. They wouldn’t be able to tell her anything.”
Ana makes a face, realizing her question was silly, then says, “But surely they could have tipped you off somehow. Did you … did you sleep with one of them, Callie?”
“Both of them.” Saying it causes a pain so heavy in my belly that I bend forward, gasping.
Ana and Marissa rub my back and say soothing things that I barely hear.
“They were so enthusiastic to play the role of my boyfriend. They were flirty and kind, and I was dumb enough to think they meant what they said. They didn’t need to do all of that to pose as my date—we could’ve just been friends—so apparently I was a little toy for them to play with, a diversion to pass the time during their mission.”
My tears are gone as my anger builds.
“Men are such assholes. Users. And I’m the fucking idiot who never learns. I had fun with them. I thought it was something real, and that we might continue to see each other after the wedding. I was completely delusional.”
Images of what I did with both of them in our room flash through my mind. At the time, I thought we were sharing an intimate connection, but they were just using me. They said they never shared a woman before, but I’m certain that’s a lie, too. God, they must have been laughing at me behind my back the whole time.
“Don’t blame yourself, Callie. How could you have known?”