He extracts a big knife. A hunting knife, I think. “That big mouth of yours will be the end of you, Jodie.” He says, tucking the blade under her chin to force her to look at him. “I hope you know that this is all your fault.”
“My fault? How?”
“If you hadn’t gotten involved back in South Carolina and you hadn’t convinced Taryn to run away, we wouldn’t be here. I would have gotten what I wanted, and you could have gone on with your sad, pathetic life. But no. Ride or die.” He parrots in a poor imitation of Jodie’s voice.
TARYN
This is bad. So, so bad.
“Taryn is my best friend.” Jodie’s voice is trembling. “What did you expect? I couldn’t leave her in trouble.”
Andy chuckles. “How moving. Now you’ll get to prove to her the die part of the equation.”
My head is pounding, but I strain against the ropes that tie my wrists. Too tight.
The rickety chair I’m on wobbles with my movement, and that attracts Andy’s attention.
He turns to look at me. His smile is scarier than if he were glaring at me.
Unhinged is the best way to describe the look in his eyes.
“Hey, Sleeping Beauty.” He cackles. “We were just waiting for you to wake up to begin the party. It’s long overdue, if you ask me.”
I do my best to hide the fear in my voice. “Andy. If you wanted to talk, you could have just called.”
He takes one step closer. “Really? You aren’t just a filthy slut; you’re a liar, too.”
His tone makes me break out in goosebumps. “Why do you say that? I’ve never lied to you.”
Andy advances, stopping close enough that when he bends down to look in my eyes, I feel his warm breath on my face. “So if you aren’t a liar, I assume Jodie knows that I had asked you out and you turned me down?”
“You asked out my best friend?” Jodie sounds hurt. I wish I could see her, but Andy is standing in the way.
“I asked her to the end of the year party at the Gamma house.” He offers. “But she said no. Some bullshit about girl code.”
He moves to the side just enough that I can meet Jodie’s gaze.
“Of course she did. She knew how heartbroken I was over the end of our relationship. And that I still loved you.” Jodie’s voice breaks.
“Nice way to show your undying love. Is that why the second we broke up you started fucking all my frat brothers?” He turns to look at Nash. “You must be the only one she didn’t fuck. She even slept with half the football team and with the entire swim team.”
“You were hooking up with all the girls on the dance team. What did you expect?” Jodie yells. “It’s like breaking my heart wasn’t enough. You had to fuck every friend I had on campus. I had to repay you with the same treatment you gave me.”
This time Andy grabs Jodie’s face between his fingers. The knife clutched in his other hand. “And did you ask yourself why? Because you were a boring fuck. Dancers are supposed to be flexible and fun in bed. Fucking you was like fucking a hockey stick. Besides, there’s another thing yourprecious best friend never told you. You were my second choice. Remember the night we met?”
Tears are streaming down her face, but Jodie answers, her face pressed between Andy’s fingers. “The first party before fall classes started sophomore year. We hooked up.”
Andy nods. “Do you know why I hooked up with you? I had been trying to chat with Taryn all night. And first you were in the way. You two were joined at the hip. Then Taryn went home. Who the fuck leaves a college party at midnight? I didn’t feel like chasing after her, so I decided you were an ok distraction. Too bad that it was impossible to shake you after one night together. And your friend wouldn’t even look at me since she thought I was your boyfriend.”
“But you were my boyfriend!” Jodie cries. “Have you ever loved me, Andy?”
His laugh is cold and heartless. “I kept you around because having guaranteed pussy was convenient with my heavy course load and the hockey team. It’s not like I didn’t have some fun on the side when you were away on dance competitions.”
I feel sick to my stomach. “Jodie doesn’t deserve this. She’s a wonderful, loyal person. You were lucky to have her.”
It was the wrong thing to say. I know I should have kept my mouth shut when Andy lets go of Jodie and stalks his way to me. “Wonderful and loyal?” He snarls. “Maybe you were still passed out and missed the big reveal? Those scary, nasty messages? It wasn’t me, sweetheart. It was your ride or die bestie.”
“He blackmailed me, Tar! If I didn’t do what he said, he would kill you. I didn’t even know it was Andy. I did what I had to do to protect you. You have to believe me.”
