Page 95 of Something Borrowed

Is it because she’s free? I’m about to ask her where she is so that I can come and get her.

“Because I’m over it. I’m -bored. Or whatever.”

Her words slice through me.

A hot knife slipping through butter. They sliced effortlessly. My heart is sinking into the pit of my stomach, weighed down by unspeakable pain.

But I shake my head. It’s not possible.

This can’t be real.

Verity would never say that. Someone is manipulating her.

I know her better than anyone on this fucking planet and Iknowshe wouldn’t say these things.

“I don’t believe you.” I growl into the phone with pure hatred for whoever is making her do this.

“You should believe me. Did you really think that someone like you could keep a girl like me? I’m too good for you. You would never have been able to keep up with me, anyway.”

She goes quiet.

I swallow hard.

I don’t know what to say to make her stop lying to me.

I don’t know how to end this nightmare.

It can’t be real, but she sounds so sincere. So honest. Is this what our relationship has been all along?

Was she just trying to concur me and move on?

A game? A dare? A challenge? The thought of her using me, tears me apart. It is as though someone is pulling my skin away from my bones in thick layers. Piece by piece peeling it away while I scream in agony.

How can this be possible? How can this be true?

“Verity, don’t do this.” I say with intense warning in my voice. “Don’t give up on us.” If I can just see her, if she will talk to me face to face I can remind her of how we are together.

We will be together.

Destiny chose for us to be together.

“There never was anus, Rufino. And there never will be. Stop whatever you are doing to find me. Give up. Let go. Move on with your life.”

A heartbreaking sob echoes through the line.

She’s crying.

I knew it.

I fucking knew it wasn’t real.

Is she in tears because she’s frightened?

What the fuck is going on?

I press the phone harder against my ear trying to listen. She needs me and I can’t find her.

I have to get to her. I need a clue. I need something to guide me.

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