Page 67 of Never Enough

My heart pounds in my ears, a drumbeat of betrayal and heartbreak. I can feel the blood rushing to my face, hot and angry.

I glance back at Tyler, his smug expression a dagger in my chest. I want to scream, to lash out, but I know that would only make things worse.

As I turn to leave, I can feel his eyes boring into me, a silent judgment that cuts deeper than any words. I hurry away, my footsteps echoing in the empty hallway.

Through clusters of laughing faces, I move, my heart sinking. Then I see Eden, alone in the kitchen. Her green eyes are wide as she stares right at me. Obviously, no one expected to see me here tonight.

“Eden,” I call out, my voice barely above a whisper.

She gives a fake smile. “Daphne, do you know—” I read her unanswered question. Do I know what Alex is doing?

“No, but that’s why I’m here,” I cut her off, needing answers.

Eden steps forward with her arms open. I remain standing, unmoving and lost. Her embrace is warm as she hugs me tightly. It’s nice, but it’s also confirmation that my world is crashing. “I’m here for you, okay?”

“Where is he, Eden?” I ask, pulling back, searching her face for some kind of hope. Any kind of hope.

Give me something.

She hesitates, then nods towards the glass door. “Backyard.”

“Thanks.” I brace myself, ready to face whatever comes next.

I step away from Eden, my feet moving on autopilot. The bass thumps in my chest, a dull reminder that I’m still here, in this place where I don’t belong. Through the living room, the music distorts as if underwater. Maybe it’s just the ringing in my ears.

The air grows cooler as I near the back door. My hand is steady as it pushes against the surprisingly cold glass. Outside, there’s laughter and flickering lights. A fire pit casts shadows on faces I don’t want to see.

My heart feels like lead in my chest. It’s all too loud, too bright. Yet inside, a void expands, swallowing every emotion until there’s nothing but numbness. I can’t even summon anger, just a hollow sort of dread.

The deck under my shoes is slightly damp. It makes a soft sound, almost gentle. Opposite to the chaos inside me. I keep walking, my eyes fixed on the shapes moving in the darkness ahead.

He’s out there somewhere. With her. The thought should hurt more, but it’s just a fact now—sharp and simple.

I take a deep breath, tasting the night air. It smells like smoke and spilled beer. My steps slow. Almost there. Almost time to face what I’ve been denying. I follow the wraparound deck.

A giggle comes from straight ahead inside the hot tub, drawing my attention straight to it. I recognize that feminine, high-pitched giggle. Lately, that giggle is always accompanied by my boyfriend.

Steam from the hot tub obscures the view I get to said boyfriend and his ex-girlfriend, but unfortunately, not enough for me not to see Celeste sitting in Alex’s lap. His arms are around her shoulders from behind while she giggles at something Victoria says to their right. A brilliant smile graces my boyfriend’s face. He seems to be having a good time. No longer is he that depressed man I witnessed sleeping in bed. Even more so when Celeste lays her head on his chest, completely secure in his arms.

My boyfriend and his ex-girlfriend.

Only, he isn’t my boyfriend. Not really. I can’t sit in a hot tub with him, and right now, I’m realizing I never will.

I can’t help the gasp that escapes my lips. It’s embarrassing, but my heart is breaking right in front of my eyes and it’s too late to stop it. I feel like I’ve stumbled upon an intimate moment between them. Celeste is barely dressed, and Alex isn’t wearing a shirt, and I can’t stop the image of Celeste sitting on his dick in that hot tub.

I feel my heart twist painfully in my chest, a sharp stab of jealousy and hurt that I can’t ignore. Tears threaten to spill over as I turn away, unable to bear the sight any more. The laughter, the once-familiar warmth between them, now feels like a mockery, a cruel joke at my expense.

I can’t help but ask myself why I’m doing this. Why I’m subjecting myself to this torment when there’s no guarantee it will ever become anything more than what it is now, which is a secret tinged with pain, anger, and unrequited love.

I close my eyes against the harsh reality. The echoes of their laughter, the whispers of fond memories I am not part of. They all linger in the thick steamy air, taunting me.

I force myself to swallow down the lump in my throat, to push past this overwhelming feeling of betrayal. I tell myself that this is what I signed up for—a secret relationship hidden behind closed doors.

But I didn’t sign up forthis. For the pain of watching the man I love with someone else.

The yard feels stiflingly hot, the heat of the tub unbearable against my skin. I feel like I’m drowning, suffocating under the weight of everything unspoken between us.

Suddenly, Alex’s gaze drifts away from Celeste and lands squarely on me. His eyes widen slightly, and he seems momentarily shocked that I’m here. Realizing they’re all staring at me now, I quickly scramble to turn my gaze away. I feel like a voyeur, someone who is spying on a man she’s obsessed with. A stalker. A feign. Isn’t that the rumor?

---