“The cleaner hasn’t been by yet.”
“And you let it get to this state in only a couple of weeks?” I’m going to burn the place down with everything in it.
He shrugs. “Doesn’t bother me.”
It’s then I take a better look at Darren. He isn’t looking so great either. Once a well-built, muscular, good-looking athlete, he now looks disheveled and a little thicker around the middle. Lack of exercise and eating like a college frat boy wouldn’t help with his appearance.
I don’t even try to find a clean spot to sit down. The place is filthy. I’d rather stand. The quicker I get this over with, the quicker I can get out of this dump.
“Darren, you need to move out.” Better to get straight to the point.
His eyes widen with surprise. Did he think I’d let him live here forever? “I’m not moving. This is my place.”
Is he kidding? He has never contributed to any of the finances.
“This ismyapartment. I want you and your stuff out because I’m moving back in.” He doesn’t need to know I’ll never live here again.
He drops his hands on his hips. “I thought you were shacking up with that peacock fashion designer.” He curls his top lip.
“It’s none of your business what my living arrangements are. This is my apartment. You’ve outstayed your welcome. You need to leave.”
He smirks. The revolting gesture makes me shudder. “Already having trouble in paradise?” His gaze scans up and down my body with an unflattering expression. “I’ve seen the women he fucks. You’re not exactly his type.”
I swallow back the nausea rising to my throat. He knows where to hit me in the place I’m most vulnerable. What I won’t do is let him see how his words affect me. Never will I let him put me down again and make me feel like I’m not good enough.
“My relationship with Lucas is not your concern,” I state.
He scratches his cheek, his face filled with confusion. “I know you weren’t fucking him when we were together. You made it clear you hated each other. Yet suddenly, out of nowhere, you’re playing the loved-up couple. Doesn’t make sense.” Then, after a beat, amusement glints in his eyes. “Unless… you’ve done something stupid like pretend you’re in a relationship to gain your reputation back.”
I must have pulled a face because his mouth spreads into a mocking smile.
“You have! It’s all fake.” He laughs out loud. “Look at you, the squeaky-clean America’s sweetheart being so sneaky.”
I scoff. I can’t let Darren have these thoughts. If he tells anyone, the charade is over, and I’ll be dealing with another fireto put out. “Believe what you want if that makes you feel better. What Lucas and I have is real. Somethingwenever had. He loves me for who I am. Not for what I can give him. It wasn’t hard moving on.”
I hope my performance is convincing. Lucas may not love me, but he has shown me I deserve so much better.
To deflect the conversation away from my relationship with Lucas, I say, “What I don’t understand is why you’re being so vengeful and cruel to me. It wasyouwho cheated on me and played the video in front of my audience. What did I ever do to you to deserve such treatment?”
He shrugs. “Nothing.”
I wait for more. When he doesn’t expand on his answer, I say, “That’s it? All you have to say isnothing?” I shake my head. “You know what? I don’t care anymore why you did it. I just want you out of my apartment and to never see you again. I’m giving you two days to pack up your things and leave. And take all this rubbish with you,” I add as I wave my hand out to indicate the trash filling the area.
With that, I march into my bedroom. I open the closet, pull out a suitcase and toss a few items of clothing in it. Even though Lucas practically bought me an Alessi Fashion boutique, I still want a few items of my own. At the dresser I take jewelry from the drawers and my favorite perfume. I don’t want Darren taking anything valuable that doesn’t belong to him.
Once I’ve filled the bag with everything I need, I make my way to the living room. Darren is sitting on the couch with his feet propped on the coffee table, looking as if he hasn’t a care in the world. Yet underneath the bravado is a scared man. I can tell by his slightly wide eyes and stiff facial features. Without me and my money, he has nothing.
I open the door. I turn back around and say, “Two days. If you’re not gone, I’ll have you removed.” Forget about offering him money. He doesn’t deserve it.
“I didn’t plant the video at your show,” he says before I close the door.
This stops me in my tracks. “You expect me to believe that?”
“Why would I ruin a good thing?” He holds his arms out wide to take in the apartment. “With you I had everything.”
An icy chill prickles the back of my neck. It was never about love and commitment to him. I was his ticket to fame and fortune.
“If you didn’t do it, who did?” I ask. “Karen Featherstone?”
