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Brianne and Chelsea gasp, but I’m in too much shock to do or say anything. I just look from Stone to Carson, then back to Stone again. I’m having a hard time comprehending what just came out of Carson’s mouth.
“Okay, now hold on a minute,” Stone says defensively. “First of all, yes, my real name is Alex. Stone Ryder is my pen name. Second of all, Carson, Taylor and I broke up nearly five years ago, and if you want to know the truth about what happened, I didn’t cheat on her; it was the other way around.”
Carson’s face gets red, and his fists clench at his sides. He looks like he’s about to boil over. This is not good!
“Are you calling my sister a liar?”
Shit!
Chelsea gently puts her hands on her fiancé’s arm. “Honey, it’s okay. Let’s calm down and have a seat. We don’t want to cause a scene.”
Carson stares at Stone with anger in his eyes, but then he follows Chelsea’s suggestion. “Okay, okay,” he says as he visibly relaxes and finds his seat. “We can discuss this like adults.”
However, he doesn’t stop giving Stone the death glare.
We all find our seats. Everyone is silent, stunned by the revelation Carson just divulged. I’m trying not to freak out before I hear the full story, but my heart is in my throat. Did Stone really cheat on Carson’s sister? And if he did, how do I know if I’ll ever be able to trust him?
“Look,” Stone calmly says to Carson, “I’m sorry for what happened between Taylor and me. I really am. We were young, just graduating college and figuring out life. Our relationship was not perfect, but I can assure you––I didnotcheat on her.”
“Why would she tell me you did, then?” Carson booms. Luckily, the music is loud in the pub, so between that and all the noise from the other patrons, he doesn’t attract the attention of others.
Stone shrugs. He takes a deep breath and puts his hands out on the table as if he has nothing to hide. “I’m not sure why she did that. I didn’t even know that’s what she told people after we broke up. She broke up with me after I found out she was texting another dude behind my back.”
Carson shakes his head, obviously not liking what Stone has to say. “My sister wouldn’t lie to me.”
Stone looks down at the table, then turns to face me. “I promise you, I didn’t cheat on her.”
I’m not sure what to believe. Iwantto believe him, but I’ve known Carson a lot longer than I’ve known Stone.
No one says anything for what feels like an eternity. My mind is buzzing. What am I going to do? Should Stone and I get up and leave? That would upset my friends, though, and I don’t want to do that. Brianne and Chelsea are like my sisters, and, honestly, I’m not entirely sure Iwantto leave with Stone now.
This is so fucked up.
“Maybe we can just agree to disagree on what happened in the past,” Brianne says, breaking the silence. We all look at her. “Carson, it’s been five years since your sister and Stone––err, Alex––broke up. Has your sister moved on? Is she happy now?”
Carson shrugs. “I suppose so. She hasn’t mentioned his name in years.”
“Okay, okay, that’s good,” Brianne says with optimism, as if this bit of information changes everything. “So, can we agree to give Alex a pass? If your sister has moved on, let’s move on, too! Give Alex a chance.”
Carson looks at Brianne a couple of beats longer, as if he’s considering her request, before turning his attention back to Stone. “I can give you a pass for now and agree to disagree on what happened in the past. I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt. But––” he looks hard and long at Stone–– “I willnotforget.”
Stone nods slowly. “Deal,” he says before turning to look at me. “I’m sorry, Olivia.”
I nod. I feel numb. I’m not sure what to say or do. Did Stone cheat on Carson’s sister? Can I trust him, or is he just like Clint, my ex who lied and cheated on me?
I feel like the walls are caving in around me. I need to get out of here.
“Sorry,” I say as I stand up. I look at everyone around the table. “I’ve gotta go.”
Gripping my purse in my hand, I don’t look back as I head straight for the exit.
Stone
“Olivia! Wait!” I run after her, following her out of the restaurant into the parking lot. She doesn’t stop or turn around until she gets to her car.
“What?” she yells as she whips around to look at me.
I hear footsteps behind me, and I turn to see Brianne has followed me outside, too. “Olivia! Don’t leave,” she says. “Don’t let this ruin our night.”
