Page 26 of Unhinged

Still, my eyes fill with angry tears. I wasn’t good enough, and I fell for his bullshit. He fooled me into thinking I felt something for him. Fool me once.

And that maybe he felt it for me. Fool me twice.

Instead, he only wanted to feel my tits and ass. Shame on me.

I guess he was right. How idiotic of me to think I was worthy of his anything.

More hot tears flood my eyes and drip down my cheeks. I blink so I can see Finley’s sweet face. Birdy…

Sniffing, I say, “Finley, never let a guy steal your heart. Guard it with your life. I wish I had.”

Three days later, sitting at Finn and Hadley’s kitchen counter, I sip the herbal tea I adopted from my mother after Greg ditched Richmond. She says it makes her feel better when she’s down. Well, good because I’m in the shitter. It helps take the edge off, so now, I drink it all the time and everywhere.

I pick up a potato chip, studying the puffed-out air bubbles and golden edges. When Hadley walks into the kitchen, she pauses and then continues to the sink and says, “I didn’t know you were here.”

“Finn let me in. Where did he go, anyway? A quickie, and you wear him out?” Unfortunately, I’ve seen and heard them fuck more than once.

Usually, Hadley would laugh, but today she mutters, “No.” It’s more of an attempt to make myself laugh, really, since I’ve only had one thing on my mind, as much as I don’t want to think of him. Hadley’s radio silence has been deafening, frustrating and has kept me up at night. I need answers. “I think he’s working on an interview in his office. He left you here, alone?”

“That bastard sure did. I helped myself to some snacks.” Not hungry. Just needed a diversion.

With her back to me, Hadley nods with a controlled sigh. “I just put Finley down for a nap, so you’ll have to wait to see her.” I’m not here for her this time.

“Everything okay with you?”

She nods fast but doesn’t turn to look at me. I watch her grip the edge of the counter with steady breaths, like she’s trying to calm herself.

Since Hadley doesn’t know how far my relationship went with Greg, I choose my words and tone carefully. “Did you find out anything more about why Greg left?”

Hadley softly groans before answering, “No.” This has to be hard for her since they were best friends, and the fact that I almost fucked him is still somewhat shocking.

“Do you think he went back to North Carolina?” Shit, I’m a nosey bitch.

“I have no idea.”

“He hasn’t called or texted you yet?” I drink my tea, trying like hell to stay neutral.

“No.”

“This makes no sense. So, he left Birdy?” That poor baby. Shasta doesn’t deserve her. Right now, neither does Greg.

Still, with her back to me, Hadley sighs loudly and slams her fist on the counter. “I don’t know, Simone.” She sniffs and, softer, says, “I’m sorry. I don’t know.”

Dropping the potato chip I’m still holding, my gaze falls with it. None of this should bother me.

But it does. Deeply.

Hadley’s voice is suddenly closer, and my eyes fly up to her face. Her green eyes flare with gold. “Why do you care so much? You and Greg never got along, really. You argued all the time.” I wouldn’t say never. We weren’t arguing when he slid his finger into my pussy or begged for it to fuck his monster dick.

Sweet Jesus on the cross.

“I…um…don’t want to see you upset. He did this. He should fix it.” Get in line. “What kind of person leaves town without a trace or goodbye? Did he murder someone? Get someone else pregnant?” Finding out he knocked up another woman hours between our argument and when he left town is highly unlikely. Murder it is.

Shock and then confusion smack Hadley in the face. “No.”

She stares at me as if she thinks I have all the answers, even though I came to her for them. When her eyes narrow, I look away, hoping she can’t read my thoughts on my face. I think her husband cursed me with that.

I mutter, “I know you love him.”

---