Don't Promise (Don't 3)

“Yes, I have. Natalia isn’t like you. She wouldn’t do what you did. I’m happy, Maddie. I’m happier than I’ve ever been. So drop this idea that you have. You can give up on whatever scheme you have to get back together and drain my bank account.”

I started to relax. I didn’t have to be a complete asshole, even though this girl had shredded my heart at the start of the season. She had fucked my roommate all summer and the only reason I found out was I walked in on them. It was a day I didn’t like to remember.

That was college. This was the pros. I was over Maddie.

“I told you, that?

??s not why I came over.” She started to raise her voice and then stopped.

She rose from the couch. “If what you’re really saying is that you’d rather be with this Natalia girl, than trying to pick up the pieces of what we had, then I don’t know what to say.”

I stared at her in disbelief. “Yes, that’s what I’m saying.” I walked back to the door. “I think you should say goodbye.”

“For good?” Her eyes were misty.

“Yes, for good. Forever. Don’t call. Don’t check on me. Go see Todd next time you’re feeling lonely and broke.”

She huffed and I saw the anger boiling in her eyes. “Maybe you are just an asshole, Sam Hickson.”

“Thanks for dropping by.” I practically shoved her into the hallway.

She glared at me and walked down the hall toward the elevator.

I closed the door. What the fuck was that all about?

Two days later, I figured it out.

I woke up when my phone started buzzing. I didn’t take calls this early, but I picked up the phone.

“Hello?”

“Turn on Sports Now,” Natalia instructed.

I grinned. “Since when did you become such a morning sports fan? Is there a story about me?”

“Turn it on,” she hissed.

I picked up the remote. It was still on the channel from last night. I saw the picture and read the scroll across the bottom.

“Fuck,” I muttered. I couldn’t believe it. There was a pit in my stomach. I felt panic and outrage. My hands balled into fists.

“How could you do this? Why did you do this?” she cried into the phone.

I shook my head, still foggy from sleep. “I didn’t.” But I was staring at a picture that was on my phone. One that Natalia and I had taken at Canyon Lake.

“That was a special place. A special night. And you did this with it?”

“I’m trying to tell you what happened with the picture. It wasn’t me.” She had never sounded this frantic before.

“Don’t try to tell me someone else sold our picture. You’re the only one who had it.” I could hear the sobs. “I thought you respected my decision. I thought you cared about me. You realize I’ve been fired? I have to take in my Goddesses uniform today.” She was crying hard. “I have to give them back the boots. They won’t even let me keep them.”

“God, Natalia. I know it looks like I could have done this, but I know who sold the picture. I would never do this to you. I would never hurt you like this.”

“Then who? Who has our picture?”

I exhaled. “My stupid bitch of an ex.”

“What?”