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“Can we talk? Please?” She bites her lower lip, something I’ve come to adore, but now it pisses me off.
“You should probably leave,” I snap, not wanting to hear the details of her and the asshole she’s engaged to.
Zoey crosses her arms and takes a step forward. “I’m not leaving until we talk. I know I’m the last person on earth you want to see right now, but you deserve answers, and I want to give you at least that.”
Though I want to push her away, I can’t find the strength to do so. Stepping aside, I let her in and suck in a deep breath as I shut the door. I need to gain my composure and not wear my emotions on my sleeve, but it’s so hard when she’s here in the flesh looking so goddamn beautiful.
“You have five minutes.” Just being around her is driving me absolutely crazy, and when she sits on the couch, I sit as far away from her as possible. She notices but doesn’t say anything.
“I’m sorry, Riley. I’m so fucking sorry. I never wanted to hurt you, and I never imagined he’d show up here like this,” she begins, not denying the fact that she’s engaged to another man.
“You never thought you’d get busted, is what you mean, right?” I glare at her as I sit stiff as a board.
She shifts in her seat, frowning. “No, it’s not like that at all.”
“So please enlighten me. Please tell me what it’s like because, right now, none of it is adding up, Zoey. None of it. The past three weeks have been the best time of my life, and for it to end like this? It’s completely fucked up.”
“Riley, I know. I should’ve told you as soon as I got here, but I was scared you wouldn’t give us a chance. I never meant for it to get to this level. Benjamin proposed to me after Vegas.”
“So you were dating someone during Vegas? Just wondering if you’re a cheater or a liar, or both.” I’m growing more frustrated with every passing second.
Shaking her head, she opens her mouth, then closes it, trying to find her words. I don’t rush her, giving her all the time she needs for now, but the clock is ticking.
“Kinda. No. We weren’t official. We had gone out on a couple of dates, but we weren’t together. I only went to amuse my mom and dad because they’re friends with Benjamin’s parents. Each date was worse than the one before, and I hadn’t planned on going out with him again. But then he shocked the shit outta me when he proposed at Summer’s wedding. Everyone in the family and our social circles were there, smiling at me, and I was expected to accept. It all happened too fast, and I said yes. Even though I had doubts, I was terrified of disappointing my parents in front of so many people.”
At the mention of her folks, everything she’s told me about them makes sense. Always living in her sister’s shadow and wanting to impress them, though I can’t understand why. They all sound horrible.
“So you said yes and filed for an annulment soon after…” I clarify.
Zoey nods. “I had my lawyer send the papers for you to sign, and when you sent them back, it didn’t feel right. So a couple of weeks later, I came here to find out if you’d felt the same or not.”
I let her words soak in, understanding the situation she was put in, but that doesn’t explain why she felt like lying to me was her only option.
“We talked about honesty. At any point over the past three weeks, you could’ve told me the whole story. We could’ve figured it out together, as husband and wife. You talked about your parents and their expectations, but somehow, you forgot to mention Benjamin was what they wanted for you too. You lied to my face and hurt me. You betrayed my trust and my family’s trust too. I feel used, like you came here to take advantage of me, like an excuse you needed to get out of your proposal, and it’s a dirty feeling. I thought I knew you, but I’m not so sure anymore.” My heart pounds rapidly while I’m harsh and to the point. I look up at the clock, and though she opens her mouth to more than likely refute everything I’ve pointed out, I interrupt her. “Your time is up, Zoey.”
She stands, wiping tears from her cheeks. “I’m leaving with Benjamin first thing in the morning. My car will be picked up before the end of the month.”
I stand, frowning. “So that’s it? You’re going back to Phoenix with him?” I search her face, knowing it’s not what she wants.
“I have to,” she says, shrugging. I want to tell her it’s bullshit, that she doesn’t have to leave, and remind her that she can stay here with me forever. I’m tempted to mention that we can get through this because even though I’m hurt, I’d be willing to fight if she is. She’s my wife, married to me, but I don’t say any of that. Instead, I stare at the wall, replaying everything that’s happened. The question of if she plans on returning lingers in the room. Though I want to ask, I don’t think I’ll be able to take the truth if her answer is no.
