Page 105 of The Pact

“Oh, Cassie, I’m sorry. I should have told you. It’s just been…there’s a lot I haven’t told—”

She interrupts me and stands. “Thea, I don’t even know what to say anymore. It’s like you’ve gone off the rails. You’re unfocused, you have no drive to make this business a success, you’re keeping things from me, you’re too caught up in these guys…which is a whole other tangent I could go on.” Each accusation pierces me, driving deep, then twisting painfully.

“That’s what I’m trying to say. These things aren’t my fault. Gavin—”

Cassie looks at me with hardened eyes. “Gavin’s been gone since that day at Sutton’s bookstore.” Well, I can’t fault her for believing that. My eyes fall to the floor.

“He didn’t leave. Gavin’s still in Willow Creek. He was at the studio last night, breaking in.” I glance up and find her face twisted in horror. “Cass, I need to tell you something, but please sit down.” The pleading in my eyes must convince her because she takes a seat back on the sofa.

I take a deep breath and confess all the things I’ve hidden. I tell her about the first night he put his hands on me and then again at the bookstore, having to hide my bruised wrist. My insistence on wearing long sleeves dawns on her. I tell her about my truck trouble and the starter relay. And the night of the carnival. The note in my truck and my sink, the reason for the clog. I show her the picture Kenneth sent me.

Finally, I pull up the video footage that Damian sent me of the break in. It came through right as I pulled up. He must think I’m still at the house.

While we can’t see his face, I show her the starter relay he left behind as a fuck you.

When she finally speaks, it’s with an eerie calmness. “We need to file a police report and change the locks. How he got a key…” She visibly shudders at the possibilities.

Cassie’s lost in thought for a few moments before she tilts her head and stares at me, suspicion knitting her brows. “We don’t know if Gavin’s the one doing these things.”

The statement hits me strangely, although I don’t know why. “Well, I mean, technically no. We can’t see his face, but looking at all the other evidence--”

“What evidence, Thea?” Her voice is full of doubt.

“The notes, my truck, him basically stalking me.” I’m confused at her disbelief. It all points to Gavin. “The texts,” I add. Her brows raise in expectation. “Fuck, I deleted the texts.”

Sucking in a breath, she says, “The only proof you have that this is Gavin is the few times that he showed up where you were. You didn’t see him do any of the other stuff. You didn’t report any of it, none of it was fingerprinted or documented by the police. Are you even sure it was his handwriting?”

Her words tumble over and over in my mind. To me, it all makes sense that these things would be at the hands of my crazed ex. But she’s right. I’ve only seen him three times—the restaurant, the bookstore, and the carnival. I don’t have proof.

I look down at my phone, unlocking it to see the picture of the note again. Stop fucking around, Thea. I can’t tell if it’s his writing, it’s written sloppily, almost as if he used his opposite hand to write it.

“Who else would do this? These attacks are personal.”

Cassie doesn’t skip a beat. “There are four names that come to mind.” I don’t need to ask who. Sutton. Wesley. Damian. And Cole. She must be losing her mind.

“You’re joking, right?” I reply flatly.

Her brows raise and her lips purse. “Things started going downhill after you met Cole.”

I can’t help the laugh that shoots from my mouth. “If anything, they’ve been trying to put everything back together every time Gavin’s caused me problems.” She rolls her eyes. Now I’m angry. “So your grand theory is that these four guys are purposely wrecking havoc on my life to what…come to my rescue? To create some sort of Stockholm Syndrome?” I’m standing by the time I finish.

“They’re a bunch of rich guys who live together and probably have nothing better to do than mess with some broken chick who’s new in town.” I’m not a violent person, however, it takes all of my self control not to smack her in the face. The urge alone surprises me. This isn’t me. This isn’t us. But I’m done worrying about disappointing Cassie. I’m done trying to live up to her standards, her perfection, her dream.

I won’t be silent anymore.

“You’ve crossed a line. They’ve done nothing but care for me…love me,” I hesitate at saying the last part, although it’s necessary for her to know that this isn’t some silly fling or adventurous romp. “I won’t tolerate you talking about them like that.”

Grabbing my satchel, I head to the door. I need some distance from her. I add, “I’ll take care of the police report. You can change the locks.”

I don’t say goodbye. I don’t even glance back at her when I walk out of her house. Part of me wonders if our friendship can handle this, me standing up for myself. My relationship with Gavin hadn’t survived. I’m sure my relationship with my parents is on its last thread. Cassie is the last one left—she’s the strongest person I know, but only because I let her overpower me.

I’ve let everyone dominate me with their needs, preferences, opinions, and dreams. Not anymore.

The new Thea takes what she wants. She says what she wants. She gets what she wants. No apologies. Well, that’s the plan anyway.

36

THEA

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