Page 38 of Get Even

“You wrecked my fucking life,” she said, voice tight and blue eyes glazed.

“Oh, yeah,” I scoffed, “I forgotyou’rethe victim here. Never mind the fact that you were the one who fucked my boyfriend–”

“You didn’t deserve him,” she shrieked and I blinked, frowning at her. To be honest, I wasn’t even sure I was angry anymore. Looking at Taylor, seeing the mess of her, I just felt… sad.

“Neither did you,” I said, meaning it as a compliment but knowing she probably wouldn’t take it that way. “So here’s the deal,” I said, taking a steadying breath. “Don’t show up to the meeting. Don’t breathe another word about this to anybody. Better yet, drop the complaint.”

Taylor laughed and I held up my hand. It had been a long shot and the truth was, the damage had already been done. It was on my record now.

“And if I come anyway?” Taylor stepped forward, jaw jutting out as we assessed each other.

“Then I’ll send this picture, along with an explanation and a few other choice videos from our party days, to your mom and let her deal with you.” It was a low blow. Taylor’s mom was shockingly strict but stupidly trusting. If she had any idea the sort of shit Taylor was pulling while she was off at college… Well, tuition didn’t pay itself.

“Get out,” Taylor said in a voice like ice and I smiled cheerily.

“Gladly.”

I tugged at my skirt, making sure it was covering everything it was supposed to, as I walked back out of the sorority house. It didn’t entirely solve the problem of the upcoming meeting but if she didn’t turn up then it would definitely be a point in my favor. The truth was, though it had been a necessary step to getting Taylor to back the hell off, I didn’t feel good about it. I had never wanted our friendship to turn out like this, nor mine and Aaron’s relationship. I mean, they were both assholes and I was glad that I could finally see that, but I still mourned what could have been and what was. All the memories we had were now tainted by their betrayal. Maybe I should have seen it coming, maybe if I looked back I could have seen the signs, but the truth was that I didn’t want to. I didn’t want to go through the photos and messages and work out when it might have happened, who might have initiated it. I was better off not knowing. I was moving on. I could only hope they would get over themselves and do the same.

I headed straight forThe Box, needing to clear my head in the way that only music could give me. I’d been working on an acoustic cover the last few weeks, the song had been stuck in my head and I didn’t want to think too much about why exactly that might be.

Kat had the night off and was sitting in a large booth with Liv when I walked in and waved, grabbed a drink from the bar and headed over. I sipped my water innocently as they stared at me.

“Well?” Kat demanded and I snickered. Her need and love of gossip was pretty much unparalleled.

“I’m fine thank you, Kat. How are you?” I said sarcastically and Liv grinned. It looked like they’d had some fun before I’d left the apartment early to talk to Taylor. Kat’s make-up was suspiciously pink, pale in the inners and deepening into a hot pink flick lined with some sort of sparkly glitter. Whereas Liv’s sweet look had been replaced with a hot smoky eye, gray shimmer and deep red lips completing the look.

“Did you guys dress each other?” I asked and they both laughed.

“We wondered how long it would take you to notice,” Liv grinned and I was relieved that she seemed to be having fun. We’d been back here since the night that asshole had grabbed her but we’d made sure that Nick or Kat had been able to come too so that everyone felt comfortable. It wasn’t just for Liv either, it was hard to have a good time when you were worried about your friends getting hurt.

“You both look amazing,” I grinned and Liv blew me a kiss which made me laugh, she had totally picked that up from me.

“Benjamin,” Kat warned and I batted my eyes innocently at her, “do not deflect! How did Taylor take it?”

“Probably missionary, she’s a little vanilla.”

“Benjamin!”

I pouted at Kat as Liv slurped the last of some bright orange concoction in a cocktail glass. “There’s nothing wrong with missionary,” she said and I nodded formally.

“You’re so right, all sex is valid sex,” I laughed at the growing look of impatience on Kat’s face and Liv joined in. “Okay, okay, it was fine. She was absolutely raging though.”

“Do you think she’ll come to the meeting?” Liv asked, big brown eyes concerned as she stood to head back to the bar.

I shrugged, “I guess I’ll find out.”

Kat whistled, “Can’t believe you threatened to tell her mom.”

“Can’t believe she fucked my boyfriend and plastered my post-threesome nude in my professor’s slideshow,” I countered and Kat coughed to hide a laugh.

The guy on the stage singing a slightly off-key version ofHey Brotherfinished to a smattering of applause and I clapped along idly before standing up and pecking Liv on the cheek as she returned back to her seat. “I’m up. Hope you guys brought enough spare panties to throw for me.”

Kat hooted and Liv’s eyes burned as she grinned, “Who said we broughtanypanties at all?”

I laughed, “Damn girl!”

Liv’s laughter still sounded in my ears as I made my way to the stage and Billy settled at the old piano tucked into the corner behind me. It was a light, worn brown but played beautifully and I knew Billy loved open mic night purely because it meant he got to play for a crowd, even if he was just accompanying someone else.

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