We’re going to have bad days where his infidelity is front and center, and I’ll want to walk away for good. As long as I don’t let the bad days win, as long as our good days always outweigh them, then we’re healing. We’re the ones winning and not the past we can no longer control.
Keaton leans down to kiss my neck in a sweet gesture before moving to the next aisle. I lean my head back to look at him as he steers the cart, fascinated with the happiness on his face. That’s how I catch the rage that settles on his face. I lift my head and follow his line of sight.
The unkempt blonde at the end of the aisle, staring at me with hatred, causes my body to tighten. It’s not a good sign that she’s finally showing her face in public after nearly two years.
I nudge Keaton back with my hip and hop off the cart. This isn’t where I’d choose to face her, but I don’t get to pick the battleground. What I can control is how much of myself I let her see.
“Keaton, honey. There you are! I’ve been looking everywhere for you,” Rianna says, moving closer to us.
Keaton moves his body in front of mine. “You need to leave. There’s a protection order in place.”
“What are you talking about? I’ve come to get you away from her.”
“I’m where I want to be.”
She stops in her tracks, her head tilting to the side as if she can’t understand him. Then Rianna smiles brightly again. “She’s making you say that. She’s just manipulating you.”
I can’t help the snort that escapes as I step around Keaton. He grumbles about my protection, grabbing my hand. I squeeze his hand in return and smile so he knows I’m okay.
“Rianna, there’s never been a moment in mine and Keaton’s friendship or relationship that I’ve had to resort to manipulation. I don’t know if I’d want to be with someone who had to manipulate me. Because how could I be sure if they want me for me or for the way I helped play with their head?” I address her, making sure a ‘yikes’ expression covers my face.
She rolls her eyes at me, not really having a reply, and turns back to Keaton. “Are you going to let her talk to me that way?”
“I’d have to give a shit about you for it to matter, and I don’t control Charlie.” Keaton pulls my phone from my back pocket and puts it in my hand out of Rianna’s sight. “Call the police. I’ll keep her distracted.”
I step away from them enough so her attention stays focused on Keaton while I put in the call. One ear stays tuned to them as I speak to dispatch and explain the situation. She assures me officers are on the way.
Since we’re a one-party-consent state for recording conversations, I open my app, intent on getting as much information for my lawyer as possible. I think, unfortunately, if one of us can get her to admit things, it would be Keaton.
“What do you want, Rianna?” Keaton says with a sigh.
“You. Do you know what I did to ensure you were mine?” she rants.
“Yeah, the same thing you did to all the other men. Intentionally infected us with an STI,” Keaton states plainly.
Rianna smirks and slaps her hands on her hips. “Well, how else could I keep you all?”
“I don’t know. Maybe try dating a single dude.”
“But that’s what we were doing. I even showed Charlie that you always wanted me.” Rianna moves closer to Keaton, and I have to hide my smile when he scurries away from her as if she’s contagious. She probably is, honestly. Who the hell knows what kind of poison she’s carrying around in her body?
“Are you talking about those fake ass texts? We both know those aren’t real. I’ve never once texted you anything inappropriate. Never even spoke that shit to you. Fucking ever. I truly considered you a friend.”
“You were attracted to me,” she boasts.
Keaton looks at me in apology, but I give him an encouraging smile. This is my closure. This is my confrontation. Seeing them together and not feeling anything that isn’t in my favor for my healing. Getting to observe the way Keaton actually feels about her is a relief. While I know Keaton loves me deeply, I think a big part of me wondered if I’d feel some kind of chemistry or something between them.
“You’re right. There was a time I was attracted to you, and I’ll carry that shame for the rest of my life. But Rianna, that’s just surface level. That’s all it ever was. Even if I wasn’t so fucking in love with Charlie, it wouldn’t have been more. You’re empty inside. You have nothing anyone would want. My actions caused Charlie the most pain, but you weren’t entirely without fault. Charlie deserves an apology from you, but we all know you’llnever give it. Because in order for it to be sincere, you’d have to mean it, and we know you won’t.”
I set my phone in the cart and move to stand shoulder to shoulder with Keaton, ready to face our past together. His constant glances to check on me warm my heart. I lace our fingers and press a kiss to his hand.
Rianna keeps calling my name angrily, but we both ignore her as we stare into each other’s eyes.
“You doing okay, beautiful?” he asks quietly, brushing his fingers down my face.
I’m about to answer him when Rianna lets out a screech to rival a banshee. From the corner of my eye, I catch her rushing at us. Keaton spins us so fast my eyes roll as he puts his back towards her and tucks me into his body.
“You’re mine. Mine. Mine. Mine.”
