We talk for a minute, catch up on small things like work and life.The usual.But I keep glancing over her shoulder toward the kitchen, trying to find Emette again.Finally, Jessica notices.
“Are you looking for someone?”
“Emette.”
“Oh.”The way she says that single word makes something in my stomach twist.
“What?”I ask.
“Nothing.”
“That didn’t sound like nothing.”
She hesitates then quickly changes the subject.“Do you want a drink?”
“I’ll grab one in a minute.”
“Okay.”She gives me another quick hug before disappearing into the crowd.
That was weird, but I shake the feeling off and head toward the kitchen.But when I get there, Emette isn’t there anymore.I scan the room, but I don’t see anyone I know.The back porch door is open so I step outside only to find more people and more music.
But still no Emette.
Okay.That’s fine.It’s a party.He’s probably just talking to someone else.I head back inside and toward the hallway.Along the way, someone bumps into me.
“Sorry!”they say drunkenly.
“It’s okay,” I reply and keep moving past them.
The hallway leads toward the back of the house where the bedrooms are.Not exactly where I expected to find him, but something pulls me in that direction anyway.Maybe instinct.Maybe curiosity.Maybe the weird tension that’s been building all night.
I reach the end of the hallway and that’s when I see them.At first my brain doesn’t process what I’m looking at.
Two people are standing close together.Too close.The girl turns slightly and I recognize her.Amanda.
The realization hits like a punch to the chest because Emette’s hands are on her waist and his mouth is on hers.
For a second the world goes completely silent.The music.The voices.The party.All of it fades into the background.Because all I can see is my boyfriend kissing another girl.
My heart drops somewhere near my stomach and I take a step backward.Then another.Neither of them notices me because they’re too busy.
My throat tightens painfully.How long has this been happening?How many people here knew?Because judging by the looks I’m getting from the few people standing nearby, more than a few is the answer.
Humiliation burns through my chest.I turn and run.The hallway blurs.The music crashes back into my ears.Someone calls my name, but I don’t stop.
I push through the front door and stumble onto the porch.Cool night air hits my face and my vision swims.I make it halfway down the driveway before the first tear slips free.Then another.And another.
My chest feels like it’s being crushed from the inside.
How could he do this?How could I be so stupid?
I hear footsteps behind me.“Quinn!”
The voice stops me cold because I know that voice.
I turn slowly and there he is.Damien.Standing at the edge of the driveway looking at me like he already knows exactly what happened.
“Hey,” he says softly.
