Page 17 of Played By the Fool

Kali and I look at each other. Could he be lying?

Chapter Eight

Emilia

After we saw John the other day, the texts have been coming more frequently. I think I’m going to have to tell Ciarán about it. Especially if whoever is doing it is going to be sending these texts while we’re together.

This weekend I’m headed to Lake Renegade to spend the week with Ciarán. Kali is still staying with me and she’s coming too. I’m really excited to see him, it’s funny how close we’ve gotten in just a few weeks. And most of that has been over the phone.

“Thank you for letting me tag along with you this weekend. I don’t think I can be alone here in Starlight Bay.”

“Of course. We’re going to have a great time.” I smile at her. “We should get on the road soon.”

“Should we bring snacks?”

“Frank’s making us some goodies. He made me promise we’d stop in before we get on the road.” I laugh.

“I love Frank. He reminds me of my dad.” Kali laughs.

“Frank’s the best, he’s been watching out for me since the moment I moved here. And it’s made my life here so much easier. When my parents met him, he told them that he would make sure I was safe. I’m pretty sure Frank and my dad text each other.”

Kali laughs. “I can see that happening. Well, I’m all packed. Let’s go!”

We head to Pi and pick up the snacks that Frank made for us.

“You drive carefully and text me every time you stop,” Frank says as he hugs us both.

“We will, Dad,” I tease. “Thank you again for all the goodies.”

“I couldn’t let you leave without pizza puffs. I made mini ones so they’re easier to eat on the road.”

“You’re the best. We’ll see you in a week.”

Frank hugs us again.

The drive to Lake Renegade is a lot of fun. We stop in each state to buy souvenirs, and stayed overnight in Cleveland, Ohio. Kali is a really nice person and I still don’t understand why John cheated on her. He’s been texting her still and I can see her battling with herself over whether or not to answer him.

I’ve gotten a few more texts and it feels like whoever’s doing this is getting more aggressive. Kali and I have talked about it more in depth and we still can’t decide if it’s John doing it. If it is him, I don’t know what he thinks he’ll get out of this. Plus, he’s been texting Kali asking her to come back to him. So him knowing she’s staying with me doesn’t make sense if he’s sending the weird texts too. I plan on telling Ciarán about what’s been going on, but I’d feel better telling him in person.

“Are you excited to see Ciarán?” Kali asks.

“I am. It’s funny how in just a few days of knowing him, I felt like we’d spent years together.”

“I love that. That’s how you know it’s real. My parents were like that. I’ll be honest, when I first met John in high school, I didn’t like him. He was that asshole football player that thought he was a god. But then he changed. I saw a different side to him and that’s the side I fell in love with.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to talk to him? Maybe consider trying to fix things?”

“No. No matter how much I still love him, I’ll always wonder if he’s cheating on me again. Every time we’re apart, that’s what I’ll be thinking.”

“I understand that. I just wish I could help you and I wish I never dated him.”

“If it hadn’t been you, it would’ve been someone else. I’m glad it was you. Meeting you has made this easier. I know that sounds weird. But I mean it.”

“I’m glad I met you too. I know you’re still dealing with everything, but you’ll find someone who deserves you.”

“Thank you. I really appreciate you saying that.”

Ciarán

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