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“No, I’m trying to make you see the truth. We belong together, Matthew. You and me. Not you, me, Sully, and Jason. That’s just never going to work out, and not because you and I wouldn’t be able to support the relationship but because those two have no intention of growing up or getting better. They’ll keep pulling you down to their level, and I only want what’s best for you.”
I could laugh if I weren’t so furious with the audacity coming from her. “You and I will never be a couple, Cynthia. I don’t love you. I will never love you.”
“Who said anything about love? It’s okay, darling, I have enough love for the both of us. You need to realize that it’s in your best interest for us to marry. Our families would proceed with one hell of a merger. The whole East Coast will worship us by the time you make an honest woman out of me.”
“Cynthia, have you lost your mind? Does Lance know you’re here, what you’re proposing?”
She giggles, rolling her eyes like a schoolgirl. “Oh, he’ll get over it. I’m sure he’ll understand.”
“This isn’t going to happen. Nothing is going to happen between us. Are you really this delusional?”
Her smile fades. Her mask is cracking. “What do you mean?”
“You and I are not a thing. We never were. We never will be,” I say, half-amused. “Please don’t tell me you’re actually serious.”
“Matthew, we belong together. We’re a match made in Rhode Island heaven, and we will have the world at our feet once you put a ring on my finger,” she says. “I don’t care what you tell yourself to sleep better at night, but there will never be a better woman for you than me. You deserve a full and healthy one-on-one relationship with a real woman. How much longer are you going to let those two hang on to you and hold you back from your destiny?”
“My friendship with Sully and Jason is not something you would understand. Clearly. You never did,” I reply bluntly. “Cynthia, I have no intention nor desire to ever be with you. Regardless of the reasons why you think we would make a great match, I’m not interested. You need to move on.”
“And you need to understand that this isn’t how life works,” she hisses. “If you think dipping your wick in that little skank you brought home for the holidays will replace the experience of being with a woman like me, you’ve got another thing coming.”
I’m beyond baffled. I’m starting to feel like this is just a bad dream where my subconscious has gone completely haywire, determined to render me shocked and speechless. Has Cynthia been stewing and having these thoughts ever since our breakup? Surely, she must’ve told these things to somebody, perhaps a healthcare professional. The red flags are screaming.
“Can you not hear the narcissism oozing from your own words?” I manage.
“A narcissist? Puh-lease. I simply know my worth and what I want.”
“What you think you’re worth and what you want is yours and yours alone. I’m not interested.”
Cynthia gives me a wicked smirk. “I suggest you think about it some more. And I also suggest you find a way to get Selina back home sooner rather than later. Things are already starting to unhinge between the four of you, that much is obvious by the sour look on your face.”
“I’m certain you had a part to play in that.”
“Get rid of her, Matthew, and start focusing on us. Get rid of her, or I will.”
It’s not a threat. It’s not a promise, either. It’s a factual statement, and it sends chills running down my spine as I watch Cynthia turn around and walk back to her car. I stare in utter disbelief, trying to wrap my head around everything she just said. This isn’t just a delusion she’s dealing with, it’s a dark fantasy she really believes will happen.
I’d even venture to say it’s something much more toxic and dangerous, bordering on psychosis. The guys and I need to sit down and talk about this, whether they want to or not. I’m starting to worry for Selina’s safety. And I’m not seeing any decent options ahead on how to protect her. Cynthia has been playing a long game here. I doubt I’ll be able to best her before the Christmas holidays are completely ruined—because that is precisely what she’s angling for.
Maximum damage. Sully, Jason, and Selina out of the way.
On second thought, I don’t think I have to confer with anybody on this. As I shut and lock the cabin door, I realize that the only one who can do something here is me. And it’s about damn time I did. I’ve been sitting on my hands for too long. Some hours later, Selina comes back from another ski session with a new instructor. I love this look on her—smiling and giggling with bright pink cheeks, telling me about her day, as she peels the dark green ski suit off, one piece at a time. All I can do is sit in the armchair, glass of whiskey in my hand, and admire her gorgeous body, her thick thighs and full breasts as they bounce while she wriggles herself free from the suit.
“Man, I was dying,” Selina says, waving her hands to cool down. “Heatstroke in this gear is a real possibility. Granted, I did have a mulled wine before I got back. That might’ve played a role.”
“I’m glad you had fun,” I manage, my eyes never leaving hers.
I miss her so much. I’ll miss her even more when she’s gone, but there is no other way for me to keep her safe. Not with Cynthia on the loose and clearly missing a few marbles. Selina gives me a curious look as she pulls her hair back and gathers it on the top of her head with a scrunchie. Loose, ruby curls fall and frame her round face, amplifying the green in her gaze.
“What’s wrong?” she asks.
“I’d say there’s been a lot wrong around here lately,” I sigh deeply. “And I’m sorry you got caught in the middle of it all.”
“I’m trying not to let it get to me,” Selina says. “We each have our issues, don’t we? Living together like this, occasionally trapped by a blizzard… it was bound to bring some stressors into the situation.”
“This isn’t about that, and I think we both know it,” I tell her. “Selina, I’ve been thinking…”
She stills, her eyes widening slowly. I’m guessing she can already see the wrecking ball coming even though I’m trying my best to let her down easy. My heart is breaking as my lips part, as I struggle to say the words that I have repeating to myself throughout the day. In Sully and Jason’s absence, I’ve been left with only my frayed mind to keep me company. And I’m not my best advisor, no matter what others might say. I’ve always had my friends to offer input and different angles on every problem. If anything, I’m pretty sure I owe most of my success to Jason and Sully.
