I’m going to Hell for using this beautiful, perfect creature. There’s no doubt about it.
Sabrina flashes me an innocent grin. “Was it? I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“You ass. This is the third time in a row.” I spear her with a playful accusatory look that hides the guilt beating me up.
The least I can do is treat her to brunch, considering I initially befriended her to reach her brother in case he neverresponded to my message. I’ll have to make it up to her somehow. She can be my second maid of honor or something.
“Sorry, I have short-term memory loss.” Sabrina shrugs and sips her iced coffee to hide her grin.
“I’ll beat you to it next time.”
“That means arriving before me.”
She’s got me there. I hold my hand up in defense. “I’ll have you know that I’m either half an hour early, late, or MIA.” The latter is my preference.
“I think it’s a miracle whenever you don’t cancel.” Sabrina doesn’t mean it as a dig, but it sure as hell feels like it. She waves me off, probably sensing the sting. “I know you’re a full-fledged introvert, and I can be a lot to handle. I don’t hold it against you, I promise. I’m just happy whenever we get to hang out. You’re a good friend who shows up for me every time I need it.”
I’m just feeling worse and worse.
Navigating the murky waters I’ve filled with lies is getting harder and harder the more time I spend with her because she’sso nice.
At least, one thing I know for certain is that if it turns out Leo is using me to cheat on someone else, I’d still stay friends with Sabrina.
But I have to draw the line with him somewhere, and cheating is just too far.
It’s all so confusing. Beyond the photo, I have no evidence that he’s been seeing other women. For Christ’s sake, I break into his house every couple of days, and the only other woman that’s been there aside from Sabrina is me.
A few weeks ago, I found a strand of hair on his bedsheets, and after a quick breakdown, a cry, and an angry investigation, I came to the conclusion that it wasmyhair.
But what if I was wrong, and it was someone else’s?
God, I need to think of something other than him. Like my book, perhaps. The one that’s due soon, and I’m currently behind on. The same one with over two thousand preorders. That’s releasing soon and I still haven’t finished writing.
I chug half my drink. I need something exponentially stronger than this.
Sabrina’s phone lights up on the table. Her forehead pinches as she reads the notification. My mouth dries at the sight of Leo’s name on the screen, and no amount of coffee gets the acidic taste out of my mouth.
What if... Should I ask? Leo’s sister would know about his relationships. I’ve made it a point to never start conversations about him and keep follow-up questions to an absolute minimum so as not to raise suspicion.
My stupid mouth moves before I think better of it. “Something wrong?”
“What?” Sabrina’s eyes widen in confusion, then surprise, then a third thing that I can’t identify. “Oh—my brother’s being a dick.”
Fitting. I want her brother’s dick.
Only if it’s single.
Wetting my lips, I will myself to appear calm and nonchalant. But appropriately concerned. “How come? Are you alright?”
Does that sound desperate? I think that sounded desperate. Slightly too high pitched.
She waves her hand dismissively. “Yeah, I’m totally fine—butt hurt, but fine. You’d think your sister would be the first person to know all about your first serious girlfriend, but I guess I’m not as important as I thought.”
My stomach drops. It’s true then. He lied to me. The asshole essentially fuckingpaidme to be his girlfriend.
I have so many questions. How long have they been together? Is she pretty? What’s she like? What’s her name? Are they serious? Has he ever mentioned me?
“I didn’t know he had—hasa girlfriend.” I almost choke.
