Finding Our Course (Finding our Way 3)

“New year, new beginnings, throwing out the old, and embracing the new!” Liza practically sings.

My stomach coils. It’s as if she’s speaking directly to me. I’ve heard this tone before.

“I hate to rain on your parade, but I feel sorry for her. I truly didn’t see this coming,” Nicole says, slurring a bit. “Devon’s a cool chick.”

Bile rises in my throat, and I swallow it back.

“Nicole, not to be a bitch but I told you so. I knew this would be a process. It’s not like he could break up with her easily with Nate being his best friend. I’m a patient person, but after last night and this morning, even he can’t deny anymore…”

My body starts shaking, but I stay glued on the sofa, watching the screen and listening.

“Liza,” Dani says softly, probably unaware the phone is connected. “Think long and hard about this. Bryce loves her, and she loves him. They’re a great couple. Don’t go through with this. You know it’s not right.”

“Oh, Dani! Give your fucking do-gooding a rest. It’s done. And where’s your fucking loyalty? Devon’s a blip on our radar. She’s been around what, a few months? We’ve been friends for years. Forget the little cheerleader and get over it. Bryce seemed to forget her pretty quick when I had my mouth on his dick this morning.”

At this point, I can’t stop the vomit and reach for the trash basket by the recliner. I barely make it, almost throwing up all over myself. Tears sting my eyes and fall down my cheeks. This can’t be happening. She’s lying.

“I’m getting us another round. Be right back. Hope to God you both are in a better mood to celebrate. I plan to be ready when Bryce gets here tonight.” Liza doesn’t end the call but pushes a few buttons, leans directly into the phone and then lays it back down, walking off.

Dings sound from my phone, alerting me to new texts from Bryce’s number. Pictures pop up of Bryce and Liza. Shot after shot with them together.

The last few cause my heart to plummet. He’s laying with a sheet pulled to his hips, wearing nothing. One arm is propped behind his head and the other wrapped around her shoulders. She’s grinning at the screen with an evil gleam in her eye. It’s obvious she is naked. His eyes are lazy and unfocused but directed at her breasts. She’s curved into his body.

“I can’t believe this. This is slimy.” Dani’s voice comes back through the line and actually sounds sad.

“Liza told me they were getting closer and she thought he was starting to have feeling for her. I’m personally sick about it, but Tommy told me this morning it’s none of my business where a man slips his dick. Told me to mind my own business. I saw it with my own eyes. Walked into my living room, both of them naked on the air mattress, and she was on her knees. I backed out quietly, and when I returned to the kitchen thirty minutes later, Liza was sipping coffee and Bryce gone. She was glowing.”

The line is quiet for at least two minutes.

“I’m not sure I can stomach this. I’m leaving.” Dani’s arm reaches across the screen, and I see her haul her purse over the table. “I can’t let this happen to Devon. Someone has to stop Liza. This has gone too far.”

“Ggggiirrrl, you may want to wait to leave. Here comes Bryce, and he doesn’t look good,” Nicole slurs again. “Maybe Liza misjudged the effects of a blow job.”

“Where the FUCK is Liza?” he roars, coming partly into view.

“Right here, babe. What’s up?”

The sweetness in her voice makes me throw up again, this time harder. I’m so shaken, I can’t even move to clean myself up. My eyes and ears remain glued to the phone on the couch.

“Did you switch my fucking phone?”

“What do you mean?”

“This is not my phone.” He reaches out and shakes a phone over the table.

“It’s possible they could have gotten mixed up this morning in the rush to get you to work. Remember, we weren’t exactly wearing a lot of clothes.” She giggles and someone hisses.

“Where’s my damn phone? You’d know it’s mine because it has a picture of Devon on the screen.” He bangs something on the table.

At this statement, I lose all control, wailing into the empty room.

“Okay, big boy, don’t have a conniption. I haven’t even looked at my phone today. Let me get it.” She reaches around, and I watch his hand grab the phone off the table.”

His face fills the screen and twists hard. His eyes slice to the side, and his voice fills with fear and fury at the same time.

“Why in the motherfucking hell is the Facetime on Devon’s number for the last nine minutes?”

“Oh my God, no!” Nicole screeches, and Dani yelps.