I look up.
Colt is sitting on the floor opposite me.
He’s terrified, but more importantly, he’s high.
Anger.
Resentment.
Pain.
God, the pain.
It’s un-fucking-bearable.
Just looking at his face, eyes struggling to stay open as he blinks rapidly, makes me want to die.
“I hate you,” I mumble.
“Dee—”
“I.Hate.You,” I yell loudly.
He flinches.
“How could you? You know how much I love you, Colt. I would’ve done anything, gone anywhere, been anyone for you.I. Fucking. Loved. You!”
“L-loved?” his voice cracks.
“Yes,loved, as in past tense. How can I love a drug fucked cheater?” I spit at him.
His head dips like he’s falling asleep and then jolts back up instantly.
“Oh, my God. You’re so bloody high you probably won’t even remember this damn conversation.”
“You left me, Dee!You. Left. Me,” he yells.
“I went to visit my sick father, you arsehole. I didn’t leave you. I was always coming back. You just heard what you wanted to hear. You talked to me about wanting to go back to your old lifestyle…” I wave my hands around at the mess in the Penthouse. “Well, now you can. You want out, Colt? You got it. I’mdone!” I rage out the words.
I watch as his eyes glaze over before closing, his head lolling to the side.
Stepping forward, I give his shoulder a shove. He crumples to the floor, unmoving—except for the slight rise and fall of his chest—until a quiet snore escapes his lips.
My nostrils flare, and I kick his foot hard. “Fuck you, Colter Slade.” I look up at all the people watching me and scream out, “Fuck all of you.” I storm over to my luggage, grab the handle, and start dragging it behind me.
“Good riddance,” Jessi blurts out as I walk past her.
“At least I’m not a nobody vapid whore that’s so loose everyone can see what you’ve had for breakfast every time you open your vulgar, filthy legs,” I spit, meaning every word.
Her mouth drops open, and a few snickers echo around me. I’ve never hated someone the way I despise that woman.
I look over at Colt, passed out, and feel numb. Completely void of all emotion, I walk to Anna, who’s being held by Johnny. “Thanks for everything, Anna. Johnny, you’re a great guy. Look after Anna. She’s a keeper,” I say, leaning in to embrace my best friend for the last time.
She starts to cry as she holds me tightly, not wanting to let me go. “I don’t know how I’ll cope without you here, Dee. Please don’t go,” she begs, pulling at my heart.
“I don’t belong here, Anna. Can’t you see that? I never did. You survived before I came along. You’ll be fine after I’m gone. I can’t stay, not now. Not when mysupposedboyfriend, whosupposedlyloves me, can’t even stay awake long enough to watch me leave him.”
Anna sobs, and a sharp stab penetrates the numbness, but I quickly push it to the side as I let Anna go, and she melts into her husband’s arms.
