The strip club.
My phone is on the nightstand, and with shaking hands, I grab it and immediately wish I hadn't.
Fifteen missed calls from Avery.
Five text messages from Avery
I’m not brave enough to open her messages or return her calls. Instead, I go on social media. My stomach drops.
I'm trending. Number three in the United States.
#NovaWildNight
The photos are everywhere. Me in the club, clearly drunk. Me at the strip club, surrounded by half-naked women. Me throwing money in the air, a stupid grin on my face. A video of me making it rain has been viewed over two million times.
Nova’s wild night out: The party boy is back!
Nova’s girlfriend must be thrilled: Strip club photos surface!
So much for Reformed: Nova parties like old days!
The comments are worse.
Called it. Knew he couldn't stay tame forever.
His girlfriend must be mortified. This is humiliating.
Poor Avery. She really thought she could change him.
No, no, that was not about Avery. I jab at the screen to her texts with mounting horror.
Avery: I'm seeing photos. Please tell me that's not you.
Avery: Liam, call me back.
Avery: Are you seriously at a strip club right now?
Avery: I can't believe this. After everything.
Avery: You humiliated me. You humiliated us.
The last message came in at three AM. It's now 9:30. My hands are shaking as I call her back.
She answers on the first ring. “Are you fucking kidding me right now?” Her voice is ice cold.
“Avery, I can explain.”
“Explain what? That you went to a strip club? That you made me look like a complete fool?” She's not yelling. That would be easier. Instead, her voice is controlled and low.
“We won the game. The guys wanted to celebrate. I needed to blow off some steam.”
“Blow off steam?” Now she's yelling. “You humiliated me! You were the one who made me come out in public. You told me we should stop hiding and that you were done with that life. And then the second I'm not there to babysit you, you revert to exactly who you used to be.”
“I didn't do anything wrong.” My own anger rises to match hers. “I went out with my teammates. I had some drinks. I didn't sleep with anyone. I didn't do anything except have fun.”
“You went to a strip club.” Each word came out enunciated, and lands like blow to the ribs.
“So what? Lots of guys go to strip clubs. It doesn't mean anything.”
