Page 52 of Oblivion

“Don’t forget the bag full of burner phones, the address of a safe place for her to run to, and some new IDs so you couldn’t track her,” I tell him.

“Yes, and all of that. I could have lost my wife forever because Starling has fucking issues,” Hunter yells.

“No,” I snap. “Youalmost lost your wife forever because you had Clay do his computer genius stuff to get the bank to foreclose on her home.Youalmost lost your wife because youblackmailed her into marrying you.Youalmost lost your wife because you treated her badly and ignored her very justifiable anger after she learned the truth of everything you’d done.Youpushed your wife until she broke, and then she ran to try to find a way to put herself back together.”

“No. Starling—” he starts, but I interrupt.

“Starling held the knife that cut the tracker from Bunny’s neck. But do you know who went to a doctor and learned how to remove the tracker without causing any damage? Me. I did. Starling gave Bunny a go bag she had packed in case she ever needed to escape from Sebastian. But it was me who suggested she pack one so she could try to stop feeling like a victim and a prisoner. Starling called an Uber for her that day, but I told her where to go. I arranged for her to get an ID. I bought the burner phones, and I was on the video call while we all planned out her escape. So, if you need to hate Starling, then you need to hate me and January and Bunny too, because we were all a part of it. But more than anything, Hunter Rossberg, you need to blame yourself because your wife ran away from you because you are a fucking asshole.” I’m on my feet by the time I finish my rant, my chest heaving as I stare down at the stupefied idiot across the table.

“I don’t hate you,” Hunter says to me.

“Why? I was just as much a part of it as Starling was.”

“But—”

I interrupt him again. “But what?”

“Starling pushed her own issues onto Bunny. She would never have run if?—”

This time, it’s Bunny who interrupts. “If the girls hadn’t helped me get away, I might have stayed, but I would have hated you. We wouldn’t be where we are now if I hadn’t left. I’ve tried to talk to you about this, but you don’t want to listen. Leaving is the only reason that I’m here. Having time to miss you andrealizing that I wanted to try and find a way through this, that’s why I’m here, not because Clay found me. He offered to help me divorce you. He didn’t force me to go to you. Starling didn’t do anything wrong, Hunter. She was my friend when I desperately needed one.”

Hunter’s lips snap shut as he stares at Bunny like he has no idea what to say.

Turning to my bestie, I smile sadly. “Starling, honey, you’re all kinds of fucked up. Everyone here knows that, but you saw that your friend was unhappy, and you helped her, and that’s okay. Bunny’s situation was so similar to yours when you were in high school that, of course, it was going to reignite the trauma you’ve been trying to suppress for years. With hindsight, scorched earth might not have been the only option, but at the time, I was right there with you, helping you plan her escape.”

Turning, I look at Hunter. “I understand you broke when Bunny left, but honestly, did you expect her to just forgive you for all the bullshit you pulled and become your perfect doting wife without you ever having to feel any repercussions from your behavior? Have you learned nothing from this group and all the relationship drama that has happened between the eight people in this room? Hunter, you fucked up, and maybe Starling and I went a little too far, but seriously, get over it, or include me in your hate. I thought I was walking away from this life, but apparently, I’m not, so now you have a choice to make. You can either forgive Starling and me and be grateful that your wife loves you enough to overlook how much of a psycho asshole you are. Or you can continue to hateme and Starlingand rip this group apart. Pick.”

The entire room is silent, all eyes on me. I didn’t intend to spout an epic speech or fix the issues that are clearly ruining my friends’ relationships on day one back in California. Butapparently, it’s easier to call people on their shit than deal with the drama in your own life.

“Fine,” Hunter says a little sullenly.

“Fine, what?” I ask.

Sighing audibly, Hunter turns and looks at Starling. “I’m pissed at you.”

Shrugging, Starling nods. “I know. I’m pissed at you too.”

“I’ll get over it. It might not be today. But I’ll get over it,” Hunter admits.

“Okay,” Starling says.

“Okay,” Hunter agrees.

Clapping my hands together loudly, I nod, then retake my seat. “Perfect.”

“And that’s why we need you. It’s why you’ve been one of us since the first day you walked through the front door,” Sebastian says, his eyes full of warmth, a soft smile curling the corners of his lips.

The rest of breakfast is quiet, but the stiff atmosphere from earlier has gone, and the familiar feeling of home starts to fill me. After breakfast is finished, I push back from my chair, ready to head over to the administration offices to see what, if any, classes still have room for me to join.

Nerves start to fill my stomach. I’ve missed months of school, and I have no idea if it’s even possible for me to catch up and graduate on time.

Evan stands with me, taking my hand in his and twisting our fingers together. “Let’s go and get our stuff,” he says, tightening his hold on me to just shy of painful, like he’s bracing himself for me to try to pull away from him.

“I don’t really have any school stuff here. I left my backpack and laptop at Eloise’s place. Drew said he was arranging for movers to take it all to the hotel, but I came here instead, so I have no idea what’s happened to it all now.”

“All of your things are on their way here. But don’t worry, I have everything you need upstairs until your stuff arrives.” Stepping around me, he tugs my hand, pulling me from the kitchen and back up the stairs. When we reach his bedroom, he leads me inside, then sits me on the couch while he grabs a pile of boxes I hadn’t noticed stacked on his desk.

“Here,” he says, handing me a large white box.

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