Staying on Course (Finding our Way 2)

“Bye.” Bryce cuts the call and throws the phone to the floor.

“Here’s the clincher.” He leans back and locks eyes with me. “She didn’t know you were in town. She thought you were at home, hearing her spew her lies.”

“Why would she do this? What’s wrong with her?” My voice cracks.

“Nate and I think she had this planned. Her plan was detailed and elaborate. She assumed that you would cancel your trip and confront me by phone. I wouldn’t be able to dispute anything. She has the pictures and the witness in Nicole of her between my legs. If Dani hadn’t paid attention, I’d be more fucked.”

“She sent those pictures to me from your number. They are on your phone!”

“Liza forwarded them. I had no idea they existed until Nate told me. When I scrolled through my messages and saw them, my heart stopped. Hearing what she said and knowing you saw those… I can’t even explain what went through my mind.”

“This is sick.”

“Do you believe me that nothing happened?”

“Did you call her beautiful and talented?”

His already ashen face falls, and I know I’m not going to like the answer.

“Yes, but not in the way she portrayed.”

“Beautiful and talented can’t really be taken out of context.”

“I’m an idiot and take full blame.”

“Tell me all of it.”

“We all scheduled to meet for a drink after work Wednesday. There’s a bunch of us who have a college football pool going. Liza showed up, and she was torn up about a confrontation she had earlier with a colleague. She joined us, and by ten, we were the only two left. She unloaded on me, and I tried to reassure her she had a place in command. She said something along the lines of always feeling frumpy because of the uniform and being a slacker be

cause she didn’t have a degree. I made an off handed comment that she was beautiful and talented and shouldn’t let people get to her.”

Somehow, even with the situation, this doesn’t upset me. That’s one of the reasons why I love Bryce; he respects hard work and always tries to boost self- confidence.

“Telling people the truth is a part of your charm,” I tell him honestly.

He hmpfts. “Yeah, until she turned it around on me.”

“That’s what I can’t understand. You’ve been manipulated before. You’ve seen the consequences. She’s been a problem since day one! I’ve told you repeatedly, but you kept making excuses for her. Goddammit, Bryce, I’m fucking furious! You may not have actually done anything with that skanky, nasty, calculating bitch, but you put yourself in a situation that allowed her to pounce. She’s been waiting for her chance. For months, we’ve had words about her. Even Nate knew she was up to no good, but you blew it off. What did you think would happen? Didn’t you see any of this?” I scream.

“No, I didn’t see it because she means nothing to me! I kept telling you that! I was a stupid, blind, fucking dumbass. No one hurts more than me right now. I hate myself for what I’ve allowed to happen,” he yells back, his face turning red. He balls his hands into fists and then pounds one on his knee.

We sit quietly, his heavy breathing filling the room.

“Tell me the rest. I need to hear it all,” I finally say.

He looks up, and his eyes pin mine. “I should have paid closer attention to you at Christmas. You were right to be suspicious.

“The night at Tommy’s was a blur. We’d had a great test procedure on the ship and were all hyped. We went to a bar, but then Tommy insisted we carry the party back to his house. I should have come home with Nate, but he had plans with Jamie, and I missed you so fucking much I didn’t want to be alone. Watching you on TV at the game with those guys seemed like a good idea. It’s always fun to brag about you being mine, so I accepted the invitation.

“We did shots all night. Liza was overly affectionate, but I tried to ignore her. I made the mistake of getting drunk. Somewhere along the line, I realized no one was surprised by her aggressive behavior. My mind was spinning, and I knew it wasn’t right, so I asked Tommy if I could crash. You know the rest. I swear to God, I don’t remember kissing her even if it was a peck. In my dreams, it was you. It’s always you. Your bright green eyes, the soft blonde hair, the pouty lips— you are all I dream of. I’m disgusted with myself.”

“Oh, Bryce.” I curl into my knees. His pain slashes through me, and I weaken a little, realizing we’re both victims here.

“Devon, can I come to the bed? I need to be near you.”

I don’t answer but nod, still lying in my fetal position.

He crawls in front of me, wraps his arms around me, and presses his body firmly against mine. We sit like this for a while, me trembling with rage, hurt, and hate. Several times, his breathing increases as he fights his own fury.