Page 133 of Toxic Wishes

“So how the heck is it all over the internet?”

“I have no idea.”

“That was my insurance agent letting me know the house is done.”

“That’s great.”

Colt ignores me, “And somehow, he has even seen it. It’s all over Youtube, Instagram, and now the news reporters are making it this huge big fucking deal.”

I blink once and try to process why he’s so mad right now.

“Well, can’t you just take it down?”

“No, Abigail, it doesn’t work like that. They’ll want to know how it got up there. Why it was taken and, more importantly, who you are.”

“And who am I, Colt?” I shouldn’t be pressing this right now, but I couldn’t help it. He’s the one that dared me to post it in the first place? So why is he making this a big deal?

He rakes a hand in his hair. “Not now, Abigail. I want to know why you posted it. Because it’s not like some ghost did it.”

I stood up, “I told you, I didn’t post it. I’m sorry the world saw you with me, but I didn’t post it. And why the hell are you getting mad? It was your idea.” I push at his chest with my index finger.

“That’s not why I’m upset.” He seethes, glaring right back at me.

“Oh, it isn’t, then please enlighten me.” As I leaned back, crossing my arms, it dawned on me. “Bodie,” I whisper under my breath.

“Huh?” Colt says, leaning in closer.

I bring a hand to my head, realizing I left my phone open unattended in the car beside Bodie.

“Bodie,” I say again, louder this time.

“What about him?” Colt’s voice grew more agitated by the second.

“He’s the one that posted it.” I clarify.

“How and the hell can a child post a video online.”

“It’s not that hard. I-” Quickly, stopping myself from finishing that sentence. I don’t want Colt to know I had my phone opened to that video as Bodie and I listened to music in my car as he asked me questions. I didn’t want him to know I had already watched that video a hundred times. Maybe ten minutes ago, I would have told him, but not now since he’s acting like the cold, distant Colt I met months ago .

“It’s not that hard. My phone was open, so I’m sure he went through it while I talked to you when you returned from your run.”

At the same time, Colt was about to open his mouth, the front door opened downstairs, and we heard Cliff and Bodie chatting.

“Bodie!” Colt calls out.

“It’s not his fault, I’ll take it down.”

“No, he needs to learn not to mess with other people's phones. What if that had been a video of you naked or a picture?”

I hated to admit it, but he was right. It wasn’t, though.

“Can I ask what’s your problem? I mean, what’s the big deal? It’s not like it’s a video of you inside me like you have been every fucking day. It’s an innocent, sweet moment of us dancing.”

“Not now, Abigail. And not everything is about you, okay”? There’s more to life than your grades and being called pretty. I have way more important shit to deal with.”

I flinched, taking a step back. Right when I’m about to speak, Bodie walks through the door.

“Hey, Dad, we got some mint chocolate ice cream. It’s my favorite. Abigail. Do you want some? We got a lot.”

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