“It hurts too much.” I bit my lower lip, desperately trying to forget what I’d done.
“But at least you know.” Meg leaned over and rubbed my shoulder. “He doesn’t even know.”
“Yeah, I guess. I just never want to see him again,” I groaned.
“Don’t lie, Katie.” Meg laughed. “You love him. There’s nothing wrong with that, but I do agree. It’s time to move on. I think he’s being an ass**le and he’s cheating on his fiancée. He’s not a nice guy. Yeah, he has a son and seems to love him, but why would he potentially ruin his family by sleeping with you? He’s an egomaniac and a jerk. He likes the power of taking whatever woman he feels like taking. He doesn’t seem to care about you at all. I mean, why would he be doing all of this?”
“I just don’t get it. I know I lied when we dated. I know I hurt him. But he hurt me too.” I sighed. “I don’t know why he is still trying to hurt me.”
“Maybe you need to have an honest conversation with him. Tell him everything and ask him to let you be. You need to move on, Katie. Meet a new guy. A nice guy.”
“I kinda met someone.” I made a face. “Well, we kissed.”
“What? You met someone and didn’t tell me?” Meg looked at me, clearly hurt.
“Just recently. And I’m not really interested in him. He’s a bartender at Getting Lucky’s. He kinda gave me a kiss and hinted that he’d like to do more.”
“Is he hot?”
“He’s sexy and hot.” I laughed and then sighed. “I just can’t think of anyone else that way though.”
“Katie, you need to stop letting this guy ruin all your potential relationships. He is not worth it.” Meg shook her head. “Have a final conversation with him. End it. And move on.”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right.” I sipped on my wine. “Someone has been texting me all night. Let me see if it’s him.”
“If it’s him, tell me what he said and I will tell you what to text back.”
“Argh, okay.” I laughed, jumped up, and grabbed my phone. “Okay, here are his texts. First one. ‘Hey Katie, I hope you’re enjoying your night in. If you want company let me know.’” I laughed. “Sure, Brandon. I’m going to text you right now.”
“Read the rest.”
“Okay, number two. ‘Hey Katie, I sure hope you’re not doing anything you’re going to regret right now.’”
“What does that mean?” Meg frowned.
“No idea.” I shrugged. “Okay, number three. ‘Katie, I need you to call me right now.’ Number four. ‘Katie, text me back or call now.’ Number five. ‘Katie, stop playing games. Call me now.’ Number six. ‘Katie, I don’t know what the f**k you’re doing, but call me now.’ What the f**k is his problem?” I groaned, but inside I felt a secret excitement that he wanted to talk to me so badly.
“He is sounding like a psycho.” Meg made a face. “What is his problem? He is on such a power trip. Does he expect you to drop everything for him just because he says so?”
“I think he does.”
“Yet he can f**k other women and even marry someone else.” Meg’s voice was passionate. “What an arrogant ass**le.”
“He said he was going to dump Maria.” I stared at her with my heart thudding as I remembered his words. “He said she didn’t mean anything to him.”
“Did he dump her?” Meg bit her lip. “Not to be mean, but isn’t that what they all say? Actions speak louder than words, and to me, it looks like he’s just playing a game with you.”
“I want the truth.” I sighed. “And he also said Matt is Maria’s brother.”
“What the f**k?” Meg’s jaw dropped open. “That cannot be a coincidence.”
“I don’t know.” I sipped some more wine. “He fell asleep after sex and then when I woke up he was gone.”
“Text him back and tell him you want to see him, but only if he is going to prepare some answers.”
“Really?” I frowned. “Maybe I can ask him over the phone.”
“No.” She shook her head. “You’ll know if he’s telling the truth by the look in his eyes.”
“That’s true, I suppose.”
“This shit is crazy.” Meg yawned. “This is really crazy.”
“I told you.” I laughed, though I didn’t think it was funny. I was about to text Brandon back when my phone rang. “Oh, shit. It’s him. Should I answer?”
“No.” She shook her head. “Let him wait it out.” She smiled evilly. “And actually, don’t text him until tomorrow. Let him stew a little bit.”
“Oh, Meg.” I put the phone on the table and sighed. “Why does life have to be so complicated?”
“Men make it that way.” She jumped up and we both laughed as the phone started ringing again. “Let’s go to bed. Leave the phone out here, so you aren’t tempted to answer.”
“Night, Meg.” I gave her a quick hug before walking into my room and collapsing onto the bed. I was exhausted, mentally and emotionally, and I fell into a deep, uncomfortable sleep right away.
***
I woke up late the next day, momentarily forgetting that everything was not right in my world. I stretched languorously in the bed and yawned. Even though I’d slept for a long time, I was still tired.
“Katie.” Meg knocked on my door. “Are you awake?”
“Yeah,” I called out. “Come in.”
Meg slowly opened the door and walked into the room. She had a weird look on her face, and I sat up to see what was going on.
“What’s up?”
“You have a—” She started talking, but then Brandon suddenly appeared behind her.
“Good morning, Katie.” His voice was gruff and his eyes looked at me manically. His hair was scruffy and it looked like he hadn’t shaved in a couple of days.
“What are you doing here, Brandon?”
“I thought I told you to wait in the living room,” Meg said at the same time. Brandon didn’t even acknowledge her question or mine as he walked farther into the room and looked around.
“I called you.” His voice was accusing. “And I texted you. I told you to call me back.”