Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 66997 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 335(@200wpm)___ 268(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66997 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 335(@200wpm)___ 268(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
And like the stalker I am, I take it as an invite, and follow her as she drives off. Maybe it’s because I don’t trust her, or maybe it’s because I want to insert myself into every crevice of her life until she finally admits that she was wrong, that she lied, and that she’s the reason I suffered.
When it comes to her there is no line I won’t cross. She’s mine to punish. Mine to break.
5
“A ruined man does not dream of peace. He dreams of return. And of finding them all waiting.”—The Count of Monte Cristo
LILAH
Ilock the door and stare at it.
I don’t know how long I stare but it’s long enough that Charlie’s back from her run and she’s usually gone at least an hour. Prison. He was in prison? When? How? I mean I know technically how, but I thought the case was closed? I didn’t stay long enough, not after his dad scared the shit out of me and basically threatened me and my parents if I didn’t lie. Dad got his job and we left. The funeral had been for family only, which is why I watched it from far away. Did they fake his death? And in what world would they fake a death and still send him to prison? What the hell was going on?
Nothing made sense. Nothing added up. I was too traumatized after everything that happened to stay in the first place and I knew that the last thing we needed was to be on their radar so when my mom said she got a job offer elsewhere that gave her a huge raise, we moved as fast as we could.
Minutes after I get home, Charlie unlocks the door and whirlwinds her way into the living room. “I met the hottest guy after my run, he bought me coffee, but I mean seriously the hottest guy I’ve ever seen in my life, and then he had to go to work. But it still counts, right? Our magical moment.”
They’re all hot. She falls in love fast.
“Yeah, I think?”
Charlie throws herself onto the couch and sighs. “I mean, like, I can’t even explain him to you. He’s funny and he graduated early. Apparently, he’s been working here for a while and just graduated two years ago. I asked if he had a roommate and he said he did, so basically I’m going to loop you into another double date now that you’re no longer sleeping with Evans.” She makes a face. “Good riddance to that loser.”
I nod. “Right? He stopped by tonight in a lame and embarrassing way to get me back into his bed, he confessed his undying love. “
“He’s an idiot.” She jumps to her feet and walks over to the kitchen then jerks open the fridge door and grabs a bottle of water. “I hope you kicked him in the nuts.”
“Nah, but the entire interaction was exhausting.” I leave out Jude. I’m still too confused and shaken up. “So, I think I’m going to go to bed early.” I don’t have his number or I’d text him. What I will do is an extensive internet search since I could barely do it before.
“Nooo…” She strides toward me and pulls me into a sweaty hug. “You promised we’d binge watch Yellowstone! I’m the only one in the universe who hasn’t finished yet.”
“Dramatic?” I laugh but it feels hollow. “And watch it without me.” I fake yawn so I can escape and focus. “I really am tired and a bit traumatized. He was drunk and he peed his pants.” I leave out why. “Like, that drunk.”
“Ewwww!” She makes a face. “Okay, you win, go to bed like a ninety-year-old woman.”
“It’s nine,” I point out. “Hardly early bird dinnertime.”
“Nothing wrong with eating early if you go to bed late,” she says. “Anyways, go, go,” She grabs her phone and lets out an ear splitting squeal. “Holy shit hot guy from my run just texted. He wants us to get drinks this weekend at Tom’s Garage. Please say yes! He’s bringing his roommate! Please, please, please!”
I don’t want to go. Today has been a massive cluster knot of a day. First Evans, then Jude, or was it first Jude? Either way, my ex best friend is back from the dead, that’s enough to send me into shock for weeks. I feel like I can’t get warm, and then I’m suddenly hot. I’m terrified of what it might have had to do with the trial, and while I need to look everything up and figure out what’s going on, I’m even more terrified of finding out the truth. I’d rather duck my head in the sand, but isn’t that what got me in this position in the first place? Choosing to do exactly that? Choosing to look the other way and fabricate something to protect myself and to protect Jude? Look where that got us. Him dead, or so I thought, and now me, still needing intense therapy.