Page 43

My jaw hits the floor and my mind is reeling in shock. I can’t believe he just called me that like it’s the most natural thing in the world, like he just asked me to do a load of laundry while he’s out. He turns toward the bedroom door, ready to walk out, but he looks back at the last second and his eyes meet mine.

“You may be a spoiled brat but I love you. You’re hurting me so much right now by doing this.”

I watch him walk down the hallway and when I hear the front door open and close, a rage filled scream flies out of my mouth as I throw my hairbrush at the wall. I drop to the floor in anger and disbelief. He bailed on me and yet, he’s going to call me a bitch and a brat like I’ve done something wrong here when I haven’t? Or have I? Am I being unreasonable that he cancels one dinner to go out with his friends? I mean, in the grand scheme of things, what’s one dinner, right? Did I overreact?

Before I get bogged down with insecurities and doubts, I jump up and call Addilyn and Daisy to come keep me company. They are eager to see the new place and agree to stop over. I quickly hop in the shower to wash off the makeup I just put on and when I get out, I throw my hair up into a messy bun and slip on some sweats and a tank top. Just as I’m looking through the fridge for some wine, the doorbell rings. I jog into the living room and throw open the front door. Addilyn and Daisy stand there with smiles on their faces and each with a bottle of wine in hand.

“Oh! You two are angels!” I exclaim, ushering them inside. “I don’t know where my wine glasses are yet, though.”

“Whatever. We’ll just drink out of the bottle,” Addy says, plopping down on the couch.

“Okay.”

Daisy opens both bottles and passes one over to me.

“Thanks for coming over, guys.” I take a big gulp of my wine.

“Sure, sweetie,” Daisy coos and I smile at her.

“Are you going to tell us what happened?” Addilyn asks and I sigh.

“So, yesterday when I went out with you guys, he got all mad at me and said that I ditched him. I mean, we didn’t even have plans last night but I apologized for hurting his feelings and we were fine today. We made plans to go out to dinner together and as I’m getting ready, he comes into the room and says his friends want him to go out and he’s leaving.”

“Oh, fuck no,” Addy growls. I grimace and nod before continuing my story.

“Anyway, so I started freaking out and he called me a bitch,” Both girls gasp, “and said I was being dramatic and that I’m a spoiled brat…I don’t know. Do you guys think I’m a brat?”

“Absolutely not!” Addy yells. “You listen to me, you are an amazing person. You’ve always been there when I needed you. Don’t you dare believe that asshole.”

Her words help me feel a little better about the situation but it still hurts to think that Ryan thinks that about me. Is that what he truly thinks of me? Maybe Addy and Daisy are wrong…besides, they weren’t there. Maybe I really was being an unreasonable bitch and I owe Ryan another massive apology.

“Yeah,” I whisper and even I can hear the disbelief in my voice but neither girl says a word about it.

“Come on, turn on some music and let’s dance,” Addy commands, jumping up. I shake my head to clear my sad thoughts before grabbing my laptop and turning on some music. Daisy tucks her phone into her purse and gets up to dance with us.

It doesn’t take long for the music to seep into me and I laugh, dancing around my living room with my two best friends, completely letting loose and forgetting about the past two days. After a while, we all crash on the couch in a sweaty heap.

“Let’s watch a movie,” Daisy suggests and Addy and I agree. As Addy is digging through boxes looking for the movies, my phone starts ringing.

“Hello,” I answer.

“Did you tell your fucking brother that I called you a bitch?” Ryan growls from the other end of the phone.

“Uh…no.”

“Did you tell anyone?”

“Um…”

“Goddamn it, Emma!” he explodes. “Why can’t you keep our relationship between us? Why do you have to bring everyone else into it?”

“What’s the big deal, Ryan? I didn’t say anything that wasn’t true.”

“Like I believe that! You are such a fucking drama queen! I’ll deal with you when I get home.” He hangs up the phone before I can answer. I pull it away from my ear and stare at it in shock.

“What’s wrong?” Addy asks. My eyes shoot up to my two best friends and I glare at them.

“Did one of you text my brothers about what I told you tonight?”