Page 1 of The Betrayal

PROLOGUE

ARIZONA

Excitement bubbles inside of me; my dad is finally home.

The weeks had rolled into one, work kept me busy and when I wasn’t at work I was at home with Keaton. We were like passing ships in the night. I liked living with him though, he was fun to be with. When I had the odd evening at home, we sat and watched cheesy love movies. He said he hated them, but I know he secretly loved them. The way his face went all soppy, eyes wide as he took in every scene and the random tear that rolled down his cheek when the main couple got their happily ever after gave him away, but I never told him that I witnessed that.

It was another secret that I swore I would sew to my heart and be buried with.

My heart drums a little faster in my chest when I approach the bar, I pause for a moment and inhale sharply. Pushing on the door, the loud room rings in my ears and I see Keaton before anyone else. His eyes seeking me out. I hold my hand up and I see my dad standing next to a redhead. My skin prickles and I wonder if that is Amora. The smile that was so prominent on my lips begins to slip, and I stand dumbfounded behind him when I watch the shit storm unfold in front of me, the words like a hurricane barrelling towards me and no matter how hard I try and barricade myself, to protect myself, it is useless. I am at its mercy.

“This is Amora, my wife.” My dad’s voice is loud and proud as he wraps his arm around her waist and pulls her into him and I see everyone smile, all eyes on them. “Oh, and Keaton,” my dad calls out, a hint of laughter lacing his voice, “I think you may have put a dud condom in my bag as Amora is also pregnant.”

And that’s when everyone sees me. Their faces falling and I watch as Keaton shuffles in his seat. Their eyes widen and I can feel the tension grow thicker in the air, wrapping itself around me, slowly suffocating me second by second.

The air is knocked from my lungs as I try my hardest to breathe through the shock that zapped me, my brows furrow and rage fills me as molten lava pumps through my veins and every ounce of decorum leaves me.

“What the fuck!?” I shout out, my bag slipping from my fingers and hitting the floor with a thud, the contents tumbling out.

“Ari,” Connie stands, her hands over her mouth as her eyes pin to mine while the shock is painted across her face.

I can’t move. Grounded to the floor. Anchored.

“Sunshine…” my dad turns around and I can see the worry and shock that is etched onto his face, “we were coming to you next,” he stammers, and I see the way Amora stares at the side of my dad’s face.

“Well, Keaton thought it would have been nice for me to surprise you, but it seems I am the one that is surprised.” I shake my head from side to side as laughter bubbles out of me. No idea why. Shock again? I fall to my knees and collect the shit from my bag and stuff it back inside in a hurry.

“Ari… please,” My dad steps towards me which causes me to look up at him.

“Don’t Ari please me. I am angry with you.” I snap, standing quickly and holding my hand out in front of me to stop him coming any closer to me. I am furious and heartbroken all at the same time.

“This… me and Amora…” he sighs heavily, and I watch as his shoulders shrug, rolling forward in a stance of defeat.

“Yeah, you fell in love, knocked her up, blah blah blah… whatever,” I shake my head from side to side and turn to walk out the bar, not once looking back and with every step, my chest feels a little heavier, my heart aching a little bit more. Once outside, I suck in a deep breath, filling my lungs with the air they so desperately burn for.

I let my head fall back and the tears roll down the side of my face, disappearing under my chin.

“Ari…” Keaton’s voice blankets me and I turn to face him, watery eyes focus on his beautiful green ones.

“You knew?” I swallow down the lump in my throat, betrayal lashing at my skin like a whip.

“Hey, don’t be mad at me. It wasn’t my news to share,” his tone was a little curt, but wrapped in the truth. He steps forward cautiously and my heart stutters in my chest.

“What am I going to do?” my voice trembles, chin wobbling and I hate that I’m a mess. Broken into tiny pieces. Wilted and dishevelled.

“You’re going to go home,” my eyes widen at his words, and he continues, “not home, home Arizona. I will be back shortly, and we will spend the night talking.”

I nod, unable to speak. Not really much to talk about though was there really. Pettiness coats my tongue and I bite it for a moment.

“Don’t shut your dad out, it wasn’t his intention for you to find out this way,” Keaton tries to put a band aid across the gaping wound.

“Well, he fucked that didn’t he. I don’t want to hear the poor excuses. I’m done,” I step back, and a laugh vibrates through me.

I can’t do this.

I won’t.

I turn from him and walk away. I needed out.

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