Page 121 of Worth the Risk

Now I really need to know what he has to share.I nod. “I’ll see you then.”

I leave and head back to Mom and Riley.

“Was that James?” Mom asks.

“Yes. I stopped over to say hello.” I glance at Riley, who is happily enjoying her milkshake. “Mom, are you able to take Riley home with you after this? I have a couple of errands to run.”

Mom smiles. “Sure, sweetheart. Take your time.”

* * *

An hour later, I’m sitting with a coffee in my hand and James across from me. “Last year, when we were here, you said you wanted to tell me something about Leo. Circumstances have changed, so I’d like to know what I wouldn’t let you share.”

“There are things about that summer I’m not sure you’re aware of. Or maybe you are. I truly don’t know. That was a dark time for me. I have to take accountability for my role in some situations, some of which I took part in knowingly and some I didn’t realize were happening around me. They affected you and Leo, but I was too messed up to realize it at the time. Or even care, unfortunately.”

What the hell did he do?

I don’t recall seeing him outside of the first party where I met Leo and once at the Hanover House.

“I need to hear it all, James.”

He nods. “I’m not even sure where to start. I guess with the redhead I met, who I didn’t realize at first was using me to get to you.”

I know immediately who he is talking about.

“Amber,” I say.

He nods. “I met her at the Hanover House when I saw you there with Leo. She came up to me and started flirting. We exchanged numbers and shared some texts. You seemed to have moved on. I knew you weren’t coming back to me, and that hurt and pissed me off at the same time. Amber and I started to meet up. Either she would come here, or I would see her in New York. She was up for anything, and we would party with more than alcohol. Pills, pot, cocaine… you name it, I did it.”

Holy shit. How did I miss all this?

“This is the hardest part to tell you, Kylie, but I played a role in your breakup with Leo. Although I didn’t realize until later the damage it caused.”

I wonder what he did.

“To say that Amber hated you is an understatement. She even became friends with Beth on the down low. We bonded in our hate. Me for Leo, and she for you. You must know that I saw him as the guy who took my girl, even though I know that isn’t true now. It was my own doing, but at that time in my life, I would put my shit on everyone else because I couldn’t take responsibility.”

If I thought Amber and James getting together was odd, I’m even more surprised to hear about Beth. She acted like she didn’t know her the night of the fire when Beth confronted me. However, she stopped me from hitting her a second time. I thought she was doing it to help me, but now I realize it was probably for Beth.

“One night, when Amber was here, she called me and said she needed to see me right away, that she needed help. I met her at Leo’s house. I didn’t see anyone else at first. She had a plan to break you and Leo up, and she needed help to get you to Nash’s room as you were passed out. When I asked her what would happen if either of you woke up, she told me that wouldn’t happen. She gave you both a little party favor in your drinks. I was hurting, and I don’t know, I guess I wanted you to hurt as much as I was. I’m so sorry, Kylie. I hate myself for helping her. It’s why me apologizing to you was important. I needed to take ownership in the part I played.”

I’m blown away. I knew it, though. I knew there was something in our drinks. I thought I might get some answers, but I never expected what he’s telling me. I can’t believe he helped Amber. I’m furious with him but also feeling a sense of relief for finally having the truth. He didn’t have to tell me, but he did.

“I don’t know what to say. I knew you might have been upset with me, but not to this extent.” A thought occurs to me, making me sit straighter in my chair. “Did you undress me?”

He sits back, surprised by my question and even a bit angry. “Of course not. I was fucked up, but not that much. I would never take advantage of you in that situation. I carried you up to Nash’s room, laid you in bed, and left. I had no further involvement after that.”

I didn’t mean the question to come out as if he violated me, but I woke up naked that morning. “I’m not suggesting what you think I am, but when I woke up, well… I was naked.”

James considers what I said. “I laid you in that bed, fully clothed, and left. Afterward, I went downstairs to wait for Amber. I left a little later. She would have had an opportunity to undress you. She wanted Leo to catch you like that, so maybe undressing you made it more believable.”

It did. It’s that image that lives in Leo’s mind.

So much makes sense now. I can’t believe how far Amber took this. All that time pretending to be his friend. Hell, even Sophie’s friend. Leo told me that Amber and Sophie are not close like they once were. She believed I slept with Nash too. I can imagine how she felt, seeing us like that on top of seeing her brother hurt by us. Amber really did a number on everyone. There was no one she wouldn’t have hurt to have Leo, including Leo himself.

Hmm… Leo. I have my answers, but can he get his about that night with Amber?

“James, did you and Amber ever take anything that would make you, well… aroused?” I ask, a little embarrassed at the personal question.

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