Page 35 of Love You Madly

The lingering fear gnaws at me, but there’s something else now, too–something that feels like relief. Like I’m starting to break free, even if it’s just a little.

His response unfortunately comes almost immediately.

Adam:

Go fuck yourself, Callie.

I let out a bitter laugh, feeling the anger bubbling up again, but this time, I don’t feel the need to shrink. I’m tired of letting him win. I type out my response and realize I might be turning into a bit of a keyboard warrior but it feels good to stick up for myself for once.

Me:

Gladly. Someone’s gotta do it right. Lord knows you didn’t. How’s Janelle?

Smug fucking prick.

I toss my phone onto the nightstand and climb out of bed, my skin still crawling with the need to wash away the control Adam still somehow holds over me. Just as I’m headed to the bathroom, Taylor bursts into the room, Sara following closely behind her.

“Hey! Ready for the crawfish boil?” she asks cheerily. “Sara’s been up for a while but I figured I would let you sleep a little longer.”

I force a smile, pushing aside my frustration with Adam. That was not the text I wanted to wake up to today. “Yeah, I just need to run through the shower. Give me thirty?”

My forced smile must not fool my sister because Taylor asks, “Is something wrong?” Guess I won’t be playing poker with her any time soon.

I sigh, feeling tension creeping up my throat. “It’s Adam. He’s giving me a hard time. He must have seen my dating profile last night. And he’s pissed,” I admit, realization dawning that he has a girlfriend and is still checking FlameFinder regularly.

At least that confirms that I wasn’t the problem, I guess…

Taylor rolls her eyes. “Of course he’s pissed. Janelle dumped him. He’s just miserable and wants to drag you down with him.

My jaw drops open. “Wait–what?”

Taylor shrugs like it’s no big deal, but there’s a glint in her eyes. “Yep, I kept him on my friends list to keep an eye on him after you guys broke up. His relationship status changed to ‘single’ last night. Evidently, Janelle went back to her ex.”

I blink, trying to process. A bitter laugh escapes my lips. She’d stayed with Adam long enough to get back at both of us, I’m sure of it. Adam dumped her for me all those years ago, and Janelle–vindictive as she is–probably planned this from the beginning. She wanted to see us both hurt. I have to say this news makes the fact that I ended my last text to him asking how Janelle was that much sweeter. No wonder why he shut up after that.

Taylor’s eyes full with what I can only assume is concern as she meets my gaze. “Just promise me you won’t take him back if he comes crawling to you again, okay?”

“I promise,” I say without hesitation.

By the time I’ve showered and dressed, the weight of Adam’s message has eased, replaced by a small sense of victory. I am finally learning to stand up to him. Leaving after I found him at Janelle’s took every ounce of strength that I had. I’m glad to see I’m finally gaining more of that strength back. It feels empowering.

As I help my sister pack a cooler with drinks and snacks to take outside, I feel myself starting to relax. Today is about family, good food, and–hopefully–moving on.

We’re just about to head outside when Taylor notices me staring off, silently wishing that the guy I met last night would just freaking text me already.

“You good?” she asks, a hint of worry in her voice. “Or is Adam still in your head?”

I shake my head, pulling my phone from my back pocket. Still no message from Owen, and I feel a flicker of disappointment. “It’s not just Adam,” I admit, my voice softer than I intended. “I was kind of hoping to get a text from someone else this morning.”

Taylor raises an eyebrow, catching on immediately. “Wait—Owen? Did you give that guy your number?”

Shock is written all over her face, and I can’t help but laugh. “Relax, Tay. If he turns out to be a creep, I’ll just block him. It’s not like I gave him my last name or anything. I just don’t know if I’m going to keep my profile on FlameFinder and I liked talking to him. So I gave him my number instead.”

“Just be careful, okay?” Taylor’s voice softens, and I can see the worry etched in her eyes. She’s always had this protective streak, and I get it—she’s watched me crash and burn before.

“I know, I know,” I say, though the weight of her concern is heavy. It’s easier to deflect, to lighten the moment. I can’t stand how she looks at me sometimes, like she’s waiting for me to fall apart again. “But hey, don’t worry too much. I gave him my address and social security number. He said he needed it to wire me some money. Oh, and did I mention he’s a prince? From Nigeria. By this time next year, I’m going to be a queen!”

Her eyes narrow, but I can see the small twitch of a smile forming. “Okay, okay, I get it,” she says, shaking her head. “But seriously, Callie, I just want you to be careful. Chaos Callie was… a little too reckless. I worry about you.”

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