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The thing that bothered me more than anything else was that Radleigh had been the one to point out the obvious. In spite of a sexual harassment accusation hanging over his head, I’d still gone to bed with him. I'd shoved that issue out of my mind like it didn’t matter because I wanted him. Just like when I was young and didn’t know any better, I hadn't considered the consequences.
Blaming him didn't change anything. I made the decision to sleep with him. The mess that had suddenly become my life was self-inflicted and I had nobody to turn to. Freya would never understand what I'd done. Usually when things got rough, I turned to Richard. Since I first started my job he'd been like a surrogate father. But his disappointment in me was clear so that bridge had been burned too. In L.A, I’d found the best friends I’d ever had, but at that moment, I’d never felt more alone.
I had nobody to blame but myself.
Chapter 14: You’re The Latest Gossip
I was rudely awakened in the morning by the slamming of my bedroom door. I blinked to clear the haze from my eyes and saw Freya standing over me.
“What the hell is going on, Leah?” she demanded, without even waiting for me to sit up.
“Good morning to you too,” I muttered, sarcastically.
“Please tell me you didn't have sex with Radleigh McCoy. Please.”
Wow. Gossip really does travel fast.
“Where did you hear that?”
“Will called me! He said Miguel went round to his place last night, and told him that you’ve broken up because you and McCoy slept together in Boston!”
“Why are you asking?” I said, pulling myself out of bed. “You already seem to have all the answers.”
I began to head for the kitchen and Freya yelped, “Leah!”
“What?” I asked, turning to face her. Her eyes were wide with unspoken questions. “What do you want me to say?”
“I want you to say you didn't sleep with him and Will is wrong!”
“When has he ever lied to you before?”
As I started to walk away again, she grabbed my arm, forcing me to look at her. “You slept with him?”
“Yes, and no amount of repeating those words will stop it being true. If you don't mind, I’d like to have breakfast and crack on with what will probably be the worst day ever.”
I felt awful already. I'd turned into “hard Leah” – donning my protective outer shell, ready to face the masses of people who were all clearly talking about me. I shouldn't have used it with Freya, but it was too late.
Besides, she’s never going to forgive me anyway.
Her face took on a look of confusion. “Don’t you even care how Miguel feels? Will said he was devastated!”
My protective shell crumbled at the strength of her words, causing me to take a sharp intake of breath as I remembered Miguel’s expression the last time I saw him.
“I care.”
Freya gently took my arm and led me back to my bed where she sat me down.
“Stay there. I’ll make you a cup of tea.”
The day had only just begun, and already I was getting abuse. From my best friend. If this was the way Freya reacted, I was in for a rough ride.
After a few minutes, Freya returned, handing me a steaming mug of tea. “I'm sorry.”
“Me too. I’m a little defensive this morning.”
“I see that.”
“I don't want to talk about it,” I told her. “Not at all.”
