Page 114 of I Knew You Were Trouble

‘C-can I please come in?’ she begins to sob. ‘I’ve messed up. B-badly.’

My attention is drawn to a commotion down at the other end of the corridor. Voices have been raised. Glancing to my left, I then witness all five members of Rebel Heart marching down the corridor towards me.

My heart lurches. I nudge Meredith’s shoulder, guiding her past me. ‘Get inside,’ I say.

I keep my gaze fixed on the corridor. Aidan is at the front, in bare feet, wearing ripped jeans and a roughhewn T-shirt with a faded beach logo on it.

His eyes meet mine the moment he’s close, his look determined. I let go of my door, not quite sure what conversation should take place in the corridor, or whether I should keep them all away from Meredith in her current state. I fail to recognise that it’s impossible to close hotel fire doors quickly, and the next thing I know, Aidan has barged in after me, followed by Miller, Cal, J.B. and Ravi bringing up the rear. Ravi stays back, holding open the door.

I stand my ground, blocking the route to Meredith as they bear down on me.

‘Is it true?’ Aidan raises his voice at me. ‘Is itfuckingtrue?’

‘I have zero idea what you’re talking about,’ I say in response.

‘That you’ve been filming us without our permission this whole time, is it true?’

An explosion detonates in the pit of my stomach.

‘It’s true, Aidey, Meredith admitted the whole thing to me,’ Miller blurts. ‘Lexi’s been lying to us since she got here.’

Aidan’s eyes are bloodshot. ‘I need to hear it fromher,’ he growls.

Duncan enters, presumably having heard the commotion, pushing past them towards me, stopping short when he sees Meredith sitting on my bed.

‘Yes, it’s true,’ I say simply, because there’s no point in trying to hide it anymore. My heart swells as a flash of disappointed devastation fills Aidan’s gaze. Miller mumbles obscenities under his breath. ‘Now I have a vulnerable woman in here, so I would appreciate it if you could all please leave.’

‘I’m not going anywhere,’ Aidan breathes.

‘Out! Now! All of you!’ I snap crossly, pointing my arm towards the door.

‘You heard the woman, out now, fellas,’ Duncan echoes, trying to herd them.

Aidan is the last one to leave. As Duncan holds the door, Aidan’s furious gaze doesn’t leave my face. He walks out into the corridor, stopping and crossing his arms over his chest, as though waiting his turn. He turns to nod at the others moving away down the corridor before returning his gaze to me. The hurt in his expression is visceral.

I swallow, a bubble of fear rising inside me. ‘You too, Duncan,’ I say, though he is already moving towards Meredith.

‘I can stay with her,’ he says.

‘No. You need to step out. I’m responsible for her, Dunc, I’ll come and find you.’

‘Please, Lex—’

‘Go back to your room, Duncan, I will come and find you.’

I emphasise those last words and he takes the hint. When he’s gone, and the door is closed, I go directly to Meredith. She sits on the bed, doubled-over and miserable.

‘Mer, look at me,’ I soothe her, kneeling down on the carpet. ‘Tell me what happened. Did somebody hurt you?’

Meredith shakes her head, tears coming thick and fast. ‘I’ve messed up so bad,’ she manages through gasping sobs.

I hold onto her, rubbing her back, trying to pacify her, fetching a bottle of water.

‘I s-slept with Miller,’ she manages, a moment later.

‘Oh, Mer,’ I sigh, my shoulders sinking, lost for words.‘You have to tell me, was it consensual? Did he force himself on you in any way?’

Meredith shakes her head. ‘No. No. It was all completely consensual.’

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