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“Ugh.” Ruby wrinkles her nose while we linger close to the entrance, looking around. “I feel like I need a shower just being in here. The whole place reeks of cheap cologne and desperation.”
She's not wrong—this isn't my kind of bar, too flashy and sleek. I'd much rather kick back someplace fun and have a few overpriced drinks than spend the night in a jam-packed club, surrounded by men who practically lick their lips like hungry wolves while they scan the room, searching for their prey.
Or maybe I'm just in a bad mood, all things considered.
“What are you going to do when we find him?” Ruby shouts over the almost deafening cacophony of overlapping voices before she’s just about knocked on her ass by a guy who I doubt noticed. Her petite body is easily jostled around, but I’m taller and harder to overlook.
“I don't know,” I admit, leaning in close to speak into her ear. “I'm not trying to start a fight in public.” After all, I'm looking for a job, and people tend to record things like that. I don't need a prospective employer finding a video of me ripping out a girl's extensions or kicking Kyle in the balls. Besides, public things like that aren't my style.
All of that flies out the window when I spot him. He's standing at the bar, casually leaning against it and wearing a wide, shit eating grin I know too well. He's being charming, or thinks he is. I can't pretend I haven't fallen for it more times than I can count.
Ruby notices the direction of my gaze and follows it, and whatever she says is swallowed by the noise around us. The way she squeezes my hand says more than words could, anyway.
It's not enough that he lied to me about where he would be tonight. He had to find a willing girl to cheat on me with, a girl whose smooth, toned arm he’s now stroking as he leans in to whisper something in her ear. She tosses her long, black locks over her shoulder, giggling before nuzzling his neck.
I shouldn't watch this. It's like torture, remembering all the times we've been together like that. Those moments when you're out in public with somebody, but you might as well be in your own little world. Just the two of you. Those memories mix with what's unfolding in front of me until the room spins. How could he do this to me? Why doesn’t he care?
Everything around them goes blurry and dark as I stare, transfixed, unable to tear my gaze away as they lean closer, closer, until finally their lips touch. A shockwave ripples through me and the illusion pops like a bubble before reality comes rushing back in. They’re just two people kissing in a crowded bar now, one of whom supposedly loves me.
“What are you going to do?” Ruby shouts.
“I’m going to rip out her extensions and kick him in the balls.”
Before I can make a mistake, she grabs me and holds me in place. “Wait. Look.” They’re not kissing anymore. The girl’s getting up from her stool while Kyle pays the bartender. “They’re leaving. Wanna see where they go?”
Even though I know it could hurt—a lot—I nod before we fight our way outside again. The shock of finding Kyle has totally killed my buzz, so it’s my car we head for, parked in a lot a block away. The app makes it possible for us to track their location to an apartment building ten minutes away.
“Look!” Ruby grabs my arm and points up to one of the windows on the second floor. I park the car in time to see Kyle standing there, gazing out while unbuttoning his dark blue shirt. It’s not another three seconds before the girl from the bar steps up beside him—naked—and winds her arms around his neck.
I’d like to wrap my hands around his neck, instead.
He buries his hands in her hair and kisses her deeply, running his hands over her bare ass. “This bitch,” Ruby whispers. “Doesn’t even care the blinds are open.”
Right. Like that’s the worst thing happening right now. I’m a little more concerned with the way she’s rubbing his crotch while he cups her breasts. She breaks their kiss and throws her head back, which he clearly takes as an invite to kiss his way down her throat.
“We should go,” Ruby sounds like she wishes we had never done this by the time they stumble out of sight, still wrapped up in each other. “Now you know, and that’s what matters.”
“No.” I can’t tear my eyes away from the windows. I can hardly blink. From where we’re sitting, the shadows of two people are visible on one of the walls. There’s no question about what they’re doing. From the looks of it, she’s on her hands and knees on the bed while he takes her from behind.
How long has this been going on? How many times has he come home to me after screwing some other girl? And how many times did I not even notice? “I feel so stupid right now.”
“You shouldn’t. You’re not the first girl whose shithead boyfriend cheated on her.”
“Yeah, but I thought I loved that shithead. I thought…” Emotion cuts me off but I push through. I have to get it out. “I thought he loved me. He was supposed to love me.”
“He doesn’t love anybody but himself.”
Yes. I see what she means. He’s always been out for himself. He never cared about me. All that mattered was what I could do for him. Whether I was there for him. Available to him.
“What are you doing?” Ruby scrambles out of the car, following me up to the building. What am I doing? I’m not sure. It could be something crazy. I might end up regretting it. But there’s no way I could regret this any worse than I regret overlooking so many red flags.
My anger grows with every footstep. Resentment. Bitterness. How dare he? He’s pitiful. A liar. Scum.
Ruby shifts her weight from one foot to the other while I glare at the front door to the apartment. A dozen ugly scenarios run through my head all at once. I settle for jamming my finger against the doorbell, letting it ring for a count of five before releasing it.
“Don’t do anything you’re going to regret.” How unusual, Ruby warning me. It’s usually the other way around. I settle for ringing the bell again, longer this time.
“Go away!” the girl shouts from inside.
