I Can Explain (Awkward Love 2)

“He lied to me,” I say, then I laugh, because that doesn’t even begin to cover it. “Well, really, it was lie after lie after fucking lie. I think I’m pretty understanding, but even I have limits.”

“What did he do?” she asks.

“I told you that the big meeting he needed me there was to see his brother marry his ex-wife,” I begin. She nods and takes my hand. “I found out the reason they split up. Chase cheated on her.” I shake my head, all the anger and emotions feeling as raw as it did yesterday. “I sure know how to pick them, don’t I?”

Peyton shakes her head. “Oh, honey. I can't believe that he’d do something like that. Are you sure it isn’t just someone trying to cause trouble for him?”

“I heard him say the words himself. He was talking to her parents and I overheard.” I twirl my cup around the palm of my hands. “Jesus, Pey. I mean, what's to stop him from doing it again and cheating on me?” I ask with a frown. I blink back tears, because it all feels too real. “I can't go through that again. I promised myself that I’d never let anyone treat me like that again,” I say. I shake my head and laugh as I look at her. “Am I making a bigger deal out of this than it needs to be?”

She gets up, stepping over to the couch to where I am. She sits down and wraps her arms around me, kissing me on the cheek.

“No, you’re not. You did the right thing, getting out of this before things went any further. I know it hurts, but it's better finding this out now than after you’ve fallen in love with him,” she adds, wiping away my tears.

“I think it's too late for that,” I mumble as she strokes my hair, soothing me.

“I can stay if you need me to,” she says. “I told them I was running late, but I can say that I won’t be in at all.”

“No.” I frown. “I'm not very good company right now, and it would be just my luck that he’d fire you because of it. If you call in sick, he’ll totally know that you're here with me.”

She nods and kisses me on the cheek.

“I hate leaving you like this.” She frowns. “Call me if you need me, and I’ll stop by on my way home too.”

“Thanks, Pey,” I say, giving her a squeeze.After I walk her out, I have a shower in an attempt to try and feel at least a little bit human. I feel marginally better, but not enough to actually motivate myself into getting up and doing anything. Instead, I lay in my bed and try to distract myself with a book. The problem is, all I can manage is a few pages before my mind replays what he said to her parents.

God, I'm so angry at him.

All the messages and phone calls in the world won’t make me listen to him right now. He lied right to my face. I bet he doesn’t even feel bad about it. He got what he needed from me, after all. I can’t believe I actually fell for all of the bullshit he fed me. Am I that naïve?

I click out of my Kindle and bring his number up. My finger hovers over his name, my heart pounding. I just want to let him know how I feel, but I can’t do it. Frustrated, I toss the phone across the bed, just as someone knocks on the door.

Peyton. She’ll be impressed that I’m dressed.

I climb off the bed and walk over, peering through the people before I open it. Shit. It’s not Peyton at all. It’s Chase’s brother.

Josh stands there, looking around as he shifts from foot to foot. He looks nervous. Why is he here? Did Chase send him to try and talk to me? I’m tempted to pretend that I’m not home, but my curiosity gets the best of me.

I open the door and frown at him.

“Hey,” he says flushing an embarrassed smile. “Sorry to turn up like this…” He hesitates. “I was hoping that I could talk to you.”

“About what, exactly?” I say, my tone guarded. “And how did you know where I live?”

“I, uh, found it in my brother’s phone while he was in the shower,” he murmurs with a wince. “Look, I’m not here to cause you any trouble. I just wanted you to know that Chase is seriously cut up about whatever went wrong between you two. I haven't seen him this worked up about anyone since…” His voice trails off.

“Since Casey,” I say flatly. He nods. “I appreciate you coming over here, but it was pointless. He cheated on Casey. I know that it wasn’t me, but I’ve been hurt before by someone I thought that I could trust, and I can’t go through that again.”