Destroyed him.
And all he wants to know now is why.
I don’t have to tell him. In fact, I thought I never would. But I think the story needs to be told. He needs to understand why. Then, maybe all can be forgiven. Both of us can be forgiven.
* * *
One Year Earlier
I hear the door to my condo slam as my roommate and best friend in the whole wide world walks in.
“Did you pick up groceries?” I ask from my spot on the couch. I don’t know why I ask. I already know that she didn’t pick up any groceries.
“Oh, Sloane, I just met the most amazing man!” Danielle says, flopping onto the couch.
I sit up, panicked now. “What do you mean, met? Like, as a friend? You’re engaged, Danielle. You don’t meet new men.”
“Yeah, like a friend. Of course I didn’t mean, like a boyfriend. I’m engaged to the most amazing man. But this guy, I could talk to him for hours. He just gets me. You know? I think he might be gay, or I would hook him up with you.”
“I’m happily dating Wes,” I say.
“No, you’re boringly dating Wes. That guy is a complete bore. You need to find someone better. Hotter. This guy is hot. Did I tell you that?”
“No, but you shouldn’t be determining how hot other guys are. You are engaged to Wade. Wade should be the hottest guy in your world.”
Danielle rolls her eyes. “Of course Wade is the hottest guy in my world. But this guy, he’s dreamy. But, like I said, I’m pretty sure he’s gay.”
“How sure?”
She shrugs and then skips off to her bedroom across from mine.
“Danielle, it’s your turn to get groceries this week!” I shout from the couch.
But it’s too late. Danielle already has her music turned way up, and I know she won’t be coming back out for hours. I sigh and grab my keys to head to the grocery store. I really don’t understand why I even bother with a roommate.
I open the door and smile. Sitting on our doorstep are three boxes filled with groceries.
I laugh. Danielle might never do things the same way as me or any other normal person would, but at least she gets things done.
* * *
I open the door to my condo and start walking toward my bathroom. I’m exhausted, and I need a hot shower to help me relax.
The hall bathroom door opens, and I step back as my mouth falls open.
A naked man steps out. Well, naked, except for the tiny towel wrapped around his waist. When he sees me staring, he rips the towel off and throws it over his shoulder as he walks past me and to Danielle’s room. He gives me a little wink first and then disappears into her bedroom.
“Danielle!” I yell at the top of my lungs.
Danielle comes running out of her bedroom. “What’s going on? I didn’t leave the toaster on again, did I? I promise, I didn’t mean to.”
I sigh. Living with Danielle is like raising a little sister. “No, you didn’t almost burn down our condo again. No, you did something far worse than that,” I say, scowling at her.
“What?” she says, still not getting it.
“What is a half-naked man who isn’t your fiancé doing in our condo?”
“Oh. That’s Asher. He needed a place to shower after he was finished surfing. I let him come up here to use ours since we live so close to him.”