Viper says, “You’ve got some claw marks on your back. It must have been good.”
I reach back and run my fingers over a few scabs. I didn’t even notice Rose doing that. A smile spreads across my face as I climb the stairs. I hope she leaves scars.
FOUR
WAS IT ALL A LIE?
Rose
I’ve been sittingon the beach for hours, the waves crashing rhythmically in the background as a storm of emotions surges through me. The shredded pieces of my wedding dress are scattered around me like the remnants of my old life. Cutting it up was cathartic, but the fire inside me still burns, rushing through my veins.
I still can’t believe Tyler cheated on me. He was supposed to be my forever, my safe place, but now my world has imploded. And the worst part? I have to go home and face him. The thought makes my stomach churn. I pull out my phone and turn it on, wincing as it buzzes with missed calls and messages. Ignoring them all, I open Facebook and change my relationship status to single. Screw him. Nothing he says will ever make me want to be with him again.
Tyler told me he loved me. He poisoned me with his lies. I thought we had a good relationship, but now that I think about it, I was the one pouring everything into it while he did the bare minimum. God forbid he picked up his dirty clothes, cleaned thehouse, or cooked dinner. Theo was right—I was like his mother. It makes my stomach twist with disgust.
I clench my fists, my nails digging into my palms. Him and Kayla... fake ass people wasting my time. He should have just split up with me straight after it happened between them the first time. He would’ve known I would never have forgiven him; maybe that was the reason he didn’t tell me.
The look in Kayla’s eyes... I shake my head. She’s in love with him. Stupid girl! I clearly meant nothing to her as a friend. I sigh. How could they be so heartless? They sharpened their knives and cut me wide open.
Tears spill down my cheeks, and I roughly wipe them away. I hate that I’m crying over them. They don’t deserve my tears.
But it does make sense now. How secretive he was with his phone, having a password on it and always keeping it with him. How when I was lonely and he was supposed to be working late, Kayla never answered her phone. Clearly, because she was with him. I drag a hand down my face. I put so much money into the wedding, and I’ve lost it all.
But Theo... My cheeks heat at the thought of him. I’ve never had a one-night stand in my life, and I do it on my supposed wedding day. I laugh. But the way he made me feel... beautiful... and safe. It makes me feel warm and fuzzy. It’s crazy how one man shows me how I’m supposed to be treated in just one night.
He had a motorcycle club vest on, but all he showed was kindness, and he fucked my brains out. I’m used to Tyler just screwing me, then rolling over and going to sleep, leaving me unsatisfied and feeling invisible. He never cared whether I came. Theo made sure I did.Twice.I had a fling with a sexy younger man. At least that’s one good thing that came out of this mess.
Clouds blanket the sky and it looks like it might rain, so I organize an Uber for the trip home. I pick up the pieces of thedress and shove them in the closest bin before I make my way to the parking lot, where the Uber picks me up. Once I get in, I call my parents and tell them what happened and apologize for not calling them back, but I needed the night to myself. My parents are great and are disappointed in Tyler and Kayla. They say I deserve better. I ask my parents if they could tell my family and friends what happened because I don’t have it in me. They agree, and their support feels like a small lifeline.
Twenty minutes later we’re at my house and the Uber pulls into the driveway. Tyler’s Honda SUV is out the front. The front door opens and he rushes outside. His hair is disheveled and his clothes are wrinkled. I get some sort of sick satisfaction from the worried look on his face. My heart races, and I swallow the lump in my throat. I have to confront him, so I step outside and make my way to him. I stand up straight and try to calm my nerves.I’ve got this.
“You just left me at the altar like that?” Tyler asks, pulling at his hair.
My rage simmers, but I hold it together.He’sangry atme? Wow! “Yes, I did,” I reply, my voice steady. “You cheated on me!”
“It was a mistake!” he yells. “That’s why I didn’t tell you.”
I laugh, but it has no humor in it. “Oh, you justmistakenlylodged your dick into her vagina? How many times did you have sex with her?” I put a hand on my hip. “I’m sure it was more than once.”
He flinches, guilt flashing across his face. “It was all a mistake. I choose you!”
I glare at him, disgusted. “After finding out the truth, I want nothing to do with you,” I hiss.
He throws his hands in the air. “You’re giving up on us after I made a mistake.” He’s raising his voice.
“Are you listening to yourself?” I snap. “You cheated on me multiple times with my best friend! Don’t make me out to be the bad guy.Youruined our relationship, not me.”
Tears fall down his face, but to me, they’re alligator tears. He should be sad because he could have had a good life with me. I brush past him. “I’m sleeping in the spare room until I find somewhere to live.”
I walk inside. Everything is how I left it, but his bag and tux are by the front door and a lot of beer cans are on the table. He’s always been messy. I go straight into the spare room. Once I close the door, I collapse onto the bed. Tears dampen the pillow. Those two don’t deserve my tears, but I can’t help it. Their betrayal still hurts.
I spend hours looking for a place to live, but everything’s so expensive. I own a small jewelry-making business; I can’t afford a place by myself. The thought of living with strangers makes me feel uneasy, but these are the cards I’ve been dealt. I refuse to go back and live with my parents because I’m old enough now to stand on my own two feet. I shouldn’t be relying on them in my thirties.
I’m going to have to make it work. I call my parents back to tell them I’m home and I’m okay because I don’t want them to worry.
Through the night, I’m restless. When I wake in the morning, my stomach grumbles. I haven’t eaten anything since that toasted sandwich. I’ve been dreading going out there and seeing Tyler, but I can’t hide in here forever.
When I step into the living room, the sound of gunfire blares from the TV. Tyler’s on the PlayStation, shouting at the screen like nothing’s happened. The sight of him makes my blood boil. Even after everything, he doesn’t have the decency to be quiet in case I’m asleep. But then again, he never cared. Not when I had a headache, not when I needed peace. It was always about him.
