Page 2 of What Goes Around

The room spun. My boyfriend stood frozen in the doorway, his expression turning from confusion to horror.

“I—I don’t know what she’s talking about,” I said, my voice trembling so badly it hardly sounded like mine. “I haven’t talked to Thomas. I haven’t cheated, I swear, Nick, I haven’t!”

"Liar!" Payton screamed. "Thomas told me everything!"

Nick looked at me like I was a stranger. His jaw clenched, his eyes cutting straight through me. I took a step toward him, desperate.

"Nick, please. You know me. I would never..."

“Don’t.” His voice was sharp enough to slice through my words. “Just... don’t, Ashley.”

After we got together, he never called me Ashley. Always Ash. Hearing him say it broke something in me.

“But I haven’t done anything!” My voice cracked. I looked around the room, desperate for someone, anyone, to see the truth in my face. Thomas couldn’t even meet my eyes. Payton was trembling, clutching her torn veil like it was the only thing keeping her together.

“I don’t even talk to Thomas! I swear, I don’t know where this is coming from...”

Nick shook his head slowly, a bitter laugh escaping his lips.

"So what, he just made it up? Out of nowhere? During his own wedding?"

I opened my mouth, but no words came. I didn’t know how to explain something I didn’t even understand myself.

The door opened again. My sister, Apple, stepped in, her eyes sweeping over the wreckage. Payton filled her in quickly and when Apple turned to me, her hand covered her mouth like she’d just witnessed something unspeakable.

“Ashley,” she whispered, stepping closer. “Tell me this isn’t true.”

“It’s not,” I said instantly, the words tumbling out of me. “It’s not, I swear.”

Apple glanced between Thomas and Payton, then at Nick, who looked ready to explode. Her expression softened with sympathy.

“I can’t believe this,” she whispered, tears welling up. “Ash, how could you? You know how much Payton loves him. And Nick, your own boyfriend?”

"None of this is true!" I cried, my chest tightening.

Apple shook her head, walking over to Nick and placing a hand on his arm in comfort. “I’m so sorry you had to find out like this, Nick. I tried to tell her. That flirting can be dangerous. That people can get the wrong idea. But I never imagined..."

I froze. “What? W- what are you talking about?”

She gave me a pitying look. “Ashley, please. Don’t make this worse. Everyone’s already hurt enough.”

"But I didn't do anything!!" I screamed desperately.

"Shut your fucking lying mouth!" Nick roared.

I flinched. Nick never yelled. He never cursed at me.

“Why would I lie?” I pleaded. “I swear on my life, I didn’t cheat.” My throat was dry, my breaths shallow and uneven. I didn’t even realize I was sobbing until I tasted the salt on my lips.

Nick’s fists clenched. Veins stood out along his arms. His whole body trembled with fury.

Behind me, Payton made a broken sound, half sob, half scream.

"Get out. Both of you. Just... get out!"

Thomas reached for her, but she shoved him hard. “Don’t touch me! If you don’t leave, then I will!”

She stormed out, the door slamming behind her.