I straightened my features, doing my best to act unaffected, while all my insecurities reared their ugly heads at the insult.
I’d made a lot of mistakes when I agreed to move here, but from the moment I saw this man’s true colors, I’d left the relationship and never looked back.
I was proud of myself for that.
I hadn’t known many people here, as the only friends I’d made had all been through Gabriel.
But I’d rather be lonely and broke than allow a man to disrespect me.
“You are the most narcissistic man I’ve ever met. You were unfaithful, and instead of apologizing, you double down and blame the other person for your actions. For the record,we weren’t having sex because we weren’t happy. We were miserable,” I reminded him.
“Well, that doesn’t change the fact that you’re young and inexperienced. I don’t feel like being a teacher.” I noticed the way his shoulders tensed, teeth clenched.
“I wasn’t looking for a teacher. I was looking for a partner. And I did not find one.” I shrugged casually, because it was the truth. “I have nothing more to say to you, Gabriel. It’s time for you to leave.”
“Let me guess. Your best friend is swooping in to save the day.” His face was bright red now, and the veins on his neck were bulging.
“You’d be correct. He’s on his way here now. So you’d best get going because he won’t be as cordial to you as I’ve been.” I reached for the door handle and then smirked. “Remember, I told you he’d be the first one to hide the body.”
I was referencing a night after we’d first moved here. We’d gotten together with a few of his friends and played this game. The group asked a question, and everyone went around and answered it. One of the questions was who our first call would be to if we’d murdered someone and we needed help hiding the body.
It was ridiculous, and we all laughed, aside from Gabriel, who’d refused to answer the question. He stated that he would never rely on someone else to cover his mess.
Did I really find him to be sexy at one point?
I’d answered the question without hesitation.
Cutler Heart would be my first call.
He’d hide the body, destroy the evidence, and agree to be my alibi.
Everyone found it comical, as I was the only one in the group who didn’t have to even stop to think about it.
“I think you’ll be happier in your small town and your small life.” He pursed his lips. “Not everyone can handle my fame, and I do believe that was a struggle for you. But I do wish you well.”
His fame? I had no problem with him being a well-known artist. I thought it was amazing. My problem was not with his fame—it was with the man himself.
He certainly did have a talent for insulting you and then following it up with a compliment, leaving you confused, as if you’d misunderstood something.
But I wasn’t misunderstanding anything that came out of this manipulative, pompous asshole’s mouth.
Things were crystal clear.
So, I pushed the door closed on him without saying a word.
Sometimes no response was the only fitting response.
This chapter of my life was closed.
And I was looking forward to the future.
three
. . .
Cutler
Bass
