I shrugged away from him. “Don’t you touch me!”
He recoiled, giving me a hard look as if I had lost my mind.
But I didn’t ever want him to touch me again. “You might think that you can sneak around and no one will ever know, but you might want to tell your girlfriend that she should be a bit more discreet.”
“I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about. You’re my only girlfriend, Avery.” His voice had gone rougher, and I knew he wasn’t going to like my next words.
“Not anymore, and not ever again!” I had let him fool me twice already, and I wasn’t going to do it ever again.
He opened his mouth to speak, but I shook my head and stepped closer. “Don’t even deny it. Bitchney sent me a picture of your good time. And I saw the message on your stupid phone you left. The next time you try and play someone, don’t leave your phone behind.”
“Oh, you saw the message? The one she sent. The one I ignored? That doesn’t mean anything other than you were in my phone. I thought you trusted me more than that.”
“Yeah, I saw it! So what? I looked at your stupid phone. The message was on the front screen. All I had to do was pick it up.” I winced at the pain in my side, which was growing worse as it was well past time to take my dose.
“Avery,” he said, moving forward to help me.
I slapped him across the face, and he pulled his arm back to strike, shaking as he backed up, his eyes wild. He dropped his fist, and I took a deep breath, wishing I hadn’t done that even though he deserved it.
“I didn’t go to the party. I promise. I just left you here sleeping while I went out to get your breakfast, not twenty minutes ago. That’s the only place I’ve been. See?” He gestured to the food he’d placed on the counter. There was a cup of coffee sitting there for me too, but it didn’t mean shit.
“I’ve been awake for twenty minutes, so nice try.”
“Avery, I swear. I didn’t cheat on you. You’re the only fucking girl I’ve been faithful to. I’ve been in your bed all night. I don’t want anyone else.”
The words hurt because I wanted that to be the truth so badly, but I knew he was just playing me to have his cake and eat it too. I went to get my phone and showed him the photo that told me all I needed to know. “Nice try. I guess you were too busy to smile for the camera.” I couldn’t stand to look at the photo again.
Seth grabbed my hand and looked at the phone, shaking his head. “That’s an old photo. That’s just Britany’s way of starting shit. She probably didn’t expect that I’d be spending the night with you.”
I couldn’t believe anything coming out of his mouth. It hurt too much to know he could lie to me. “I’m done. We’re over for good. I should have listened to everyone. Especially Clara.”
“Over some stupid girl’s prank? She probably got pissed when I didn’t go over last night and sent that to mess with us. She’s just trying to cause trouble so I’ll start partying with her again.”
“I don’t believe you. I’ve seen how you leave here and go there. You did it the night Clara was in the hospital. You would have been there much longer if I hadn’t caught you, and you probably would have slept with her then too! I guess I’m the fool who bought that lie too, but no more. You should leave.”
“I’m not leaving as long as you’re upset and hurt. At least eat and take your meds. I’ll call Clara over to look after you.”
“Stop it. Stop pretending and get out. I don’t want you anymore. You’re just like they said.” I walked over with tears in my eyes and pushed his phone at him.
“Avery, don’t do this. I swear you’ve got it all wrong.” His eyes were hard as red rings formed around them. He balled his fist as his chest heaved. “I’m sorry I almost raised my fist at you, but you hit me. It was just a reaction. I’d never hit you.”
“Right, and I’m supposed to believe that too. The only thing wrong is me trusting you. Now go. And don’t you fucking ever talk to me again.” The words choked out, and I covered my mouth with one hand as I held my side with the other.
Seth’s nostrils flared, and I could tell he was just as angry as I was. He walked to the door, stopped, and turned around. “I’m the stupid one. I trusted you would trust me, and you would see around everyone’s bullshit and see the real me. But you’re letting one girl’s game ruin everything, so that makes you just like everyone else.”
He opened the door and slammed it hard behind him. I heard the Jeep door slam a moment later, and his tires squealed as he left.
I sank to the floor and sat there feeling like the entire world was going to crash down around me.
Chapter 24 Seth
When I left Avery’s apartment, I headed straight to Omega House, where everyone was still crashed out sleeping from the night before. The floor was lined with bodies. I had to be careful not to step on anyone.
I kicked the first warm body I came to, nudging them awake. “Hey, is Britany here?” I asked, ready to chew her a new ass.
She was probably upstairs curled up to whichever sucker had ended up getting to be the booby prize.
“Britany, who?” the guy asked, his voice rough from sleep.
I wasn’t in the mood for anyone’s smart mouth. “Don’t be fucking stupid. You know her. The cheerleader. Short, big mouth, hangs with Lizzy.”
“Oh, that Britany,”
