Ryder runs ahead of me and opens the door that Devon said was Connor’s. I hear a woman’s voice, but I can’t really make out what she’s saying. Sounds like she’s having trouble with a condom. Good. I hope she’s riddled with STDs and he catches them all. Ha! Like STD Pokemon.
“Oh babe,” Ryder turns around and blocks the door. “You don’t want to go in here. Let’s just go get some boxes and I’ll help you pack up your stuff.”
“Move, Ryder. Now.” I’m not interested in his bullshit. I’m sure he’s trying to protect me, or Connor maybe, considering I’m the one with a baseball bat. But I need to see this so I can get closure. It’s amazing how much easier it is to make a clean break when you see your boyfriend balls deep in some dumb bitch. It’s like metaphorical relationship scissors to sever all ties. Snip, snip, motherfucker.
I think I need a drink.
He reluctantly moves out of the way, and I walk up to the door. Looking in, I see a beautiful room with a wall of windows overlooking the backyard, including the pool and the pool house. Really, there’s a beautiful view through that window. The part of that view that isn’t beautiful is some chick obviously trying to ride Connor. He’s not even attempting to get up and tell me bullshit lies about the situation, either.
I lose my shit right there, a white hot rage running through my veins. For the first time ever, I go for the chick instead of the guy doing the cheating.
“GET THE FUCK OFF HIM!” I scream at her before I drop my bat, grab her by the hair, and pull her right off the bed. Throwing her down on the floor, I jump on top of her and unleash my fury. I punch her in the face over and over again, not even noticing if she tries to defend herself. I don’t stop hitting her until Ryder drags me off and pulls me out of the room.
“Let’s go, girl.” Becca says. “I’ll drive around and bring the boxes. You and Ryder go out and start gathering up your stuff.”
I’m silent now, and a little stunned. Ryder takes over, directing me through the house to the side door that will lead us out to the pool house.
“I’m so sorry, Alex,” he says to me. “I know it’s difficult to see the person you love with someone else, no matter how many times it’s happened before. You deserve better than that.”
I just nod my head and keep walking. I’ve heard that countless times but there’s one minor problem; Ideservebetter, but I nevergetbetter. This is what I get for letting myself hope. Especially with a rock star. Even though it was Connor, he’s clearly not the same guy I knew when I fell in love with him the first time.
Ryder takes my keys and lets us into the pool house. After I go in and disarm the alarm, I head upstairs to start. He comes with me and we make quick work of the contents of my bedroom and the master bath. All soft items are thrown down the stairs, and the few things that I can’t throw are stacked in the hallway. Moving downstairs again, we climb over the pile of clothes and get to work taking down all personal pictures and decorative items. Ryder has been in the pool house before, so he knows what goes and what stays.
“Boxes are here.” Becca brings in her stack of well-used boxes and some packing tape. “I’ll get the kitchen stuff sorted.”
“Cool, thanks. Oh, shit. Actually, everything stays in the kitchen. My knife roll is the only thing that’s mine from in there.”
“Nice. That makes it easier. I’ll get started on that pile at the bottom of the stairs then.”
I get a box ready for Ryder and he packs up the pictures and things that we’ve taken down. Becca packs up all my clothes and bedding while I run up and get the stuff I left in the hallway. We take the boxes out and put them into my car, with extras going into Becca’s. I go back into the pool house to do a quick walkthrough to make sure we didn’t miss anything.
Connor being an asshole aside, I’m sad to be leaving this little house. I may have only been here for a couple of days, but this place felt like home. I’m really going to miss the back deck and how peaceful it is out there.
Becca and Ryder are waiting for me in the living room when I get back from checking the upstairs areas.
“Devon sent a text. He wants us to go back to the main house before you leave. Says there is something you need to see. That it isn’t what it looked liked. Are you up for it?” Ryder looks up from his phone. “I told him I’d ask you, but that I wouldn’t make you go.”
“I don’t think I can. They always say it’s not what it looks like. And it’s always exactly what it looks like. I’m not up for dealing with that again. I’m really broken this time, guys.” Tears well up in my eyes and I try to blink them away before they fall. “I don’t want him to see that he hurt me so badly. I need to get out of here before I fall apart.”
Becca and Ryder both wrap their arms around me. At least I’m pretty sure now that Ryder will still be my friend after all this. I may have gotten my heart broken, but I can always use another friend.
I walk to the door and leave the pool house for the last time. After letting Becca and Ryder come out, I set the alarm and lock the door.
“Thanks for all the help, guys. Becca? See you at home?”
“Yeah, girl. See you shortly.” Becca gives me another little squeeze and then she’s getting into her car. She gives us a wave as she drives away.
“Can I get you to give these back to Denise?” I pass the keys and the company credit card from my wallet to him. “I’ll call her and explain everything soon, but can you also let her know she’ll need to hire someone else so she can get started on it right away?”
“Sure, babe. If you’re sure this is what you want? You could still work here, you know. You shouldn’t be out of a job just because Connor’s a prick.” He looks hopeful when he tells me this. I think maybe he’s liked having a friend around too. I just shake my head no. There’s no way I could stick around here after what Connor’s done to me.
“I’ll call you soon too.” I give him another hug. “You’ve been a good friend.”
I take another look at the main house and then one more at the pool house. With a deep breath to calm myself, I get into my car. Starting the car, I turn on my angry music playlist and pull out of my parking spot. Ryder waves as he walks back to the main house.
As I pass the car that must belong to the chick Connor brought home, I notice again just how closely it’s parked to the front entrance. She nearly drove it right through the front door. I guess she just couldn’t wait to fuck the famous rock star Connor Ashley. That fucking asshole.
As I’m driving away from the property, I allow a few tears to fall. Screaming along with angry music helps, so I crank up my stereo and start yelling. The road is busy tonight, but everyone is heading in the opposite direction from me. There must be an accident somewhere too, because I pass by a couple of cop cars and an ambulance going that way.
