Page 72 of Molly

My eyes dart back and forth between them, but in my head, all I see is Jess. Naked. In his bed. I stand silent, waiting for the camera crew to show themselves. Waiting for someone to tell me this is some kind of sick joke. It doesn’t happen.

Tears blur my vision.I’m such an idiot. I look up at Ryan and choke back a sob. “You fucking asshole,” I whisper.

He takes a step towards me, raising his hands in front of him as if I’m a wild animal he’s trying not to spook. “Baby, let me explain. She was here when I got out of the shower. This isn’t what it looks like.”

I start laughing. Tears start freely falling down my face. “Really, Ryan? This isn’t what it looks like. That’s what you’re going with?”

“Ryan, just let her go. We need to finish this...conversation,” Jess chimes in.

“You,” I hiss, glaring at her. “You tacky, home-wrecking, slut.” She gasps, covering her mouth with her hand. I look back to Ryan and whisper, “You can have him.”

“Molly. Please, you have to believe me. I would never...”

I shake my head, turn around, and storm down the hallway.

Fuckhim. Fuckher. Fuckthis.

As I open the door, I pause, hearing Ryan’s footsteps echo down the hall. I turn my head to the side as he reaches me.

“Molly, baby. Please. Don’t leave. I didn’t. I wouldn’t. Let me explain.”

I shake my head. “We’re over, Ryan. I’m so done with this shit. I can’t. I won’t do it anymore.”

I race towards my car and lock the door as soon as I’m inside. I try to ignore him as he appears at the window, still in a towel. He pounds his fist against the glass, and even though his voice is muffled, I can hear the urgency in his tone. “Baby, please. Don’t do this.”

I take a deep breath, put the car in drive, and get the fuck out of there.

I don’t look back.

40

RYAN

TWENTY MINUTES EARLIER

My phone vibrates in my pocket as I pull up to my place. I check it as soon as I put the car in park, hoping it’s Molly. I’ve been trying to give her space, but I’m done with it. We need to talk this out. I need to prove to her that she can trust me. I don’t know how, but I’ll do it. I won’t lose her. Not like this. I’m going to shower, change, and then we’re talking, whether she likes it or not.

JESS: Can we talk? You home?

Good lord, this bitch won't take a fucking hint.

I roll my eyes, lock my phone, and put it back in my pocket as I climb out of the car. I toss my keys on the kitchen counter once I’m inside and head straight for my ensuite.

“Hi, Lily. Good day?” I ask the peace lily sitting on my vanity like a fucking lunatic. I’m a little attached to her. Seems like Molly is rubbing off on me more than I thought.

I peel the clothes from my body and leave them in a pile by my feet. The water stings as it makes contact with my skin, but after a few seconds, my muscles relax. I wash away the last forty-eight hours of stress and sleep deprivation with some mint shower gel and Molly’s hot pink loofa, leaving me feeling refreshed and determined.

I’m rinsing the conditioner out of my hair when I hear a thud. “Molly, that you?” I call out. No one responds, and I don’t hear anything else.Must be hearing things.

I finish up, step onto the grey bath mat, and grab a fluffy white towel. After drying off, I wrap the towel around my waist, brush my teeth, apply some deodorant, and comb my hair. I take a last look in the mirror before walking back into the bedroom to change.

“What the fuck?” I yell, freezing mid-step.

Jess is in my bed, covers around her waist, tits on full display. Her eyes go wide, and she pulls the quilt up to cover her chest. “Look, Ryan, I know we’ve been friends for a long time...”

“What the fuck are you doing, Jess? Get the hell out!” I say, pointing towards the door, my jaw clenched.

I can feel the adrenaline pumping through my veins. My head is spinning, and my stomach’s turning from the image of Jess’s tits in my brain. Oh Jesus, how am I going to explain this one?

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