Page 146 of Messy Strokes (Wrecked Roommates)

“When you, me, and Gibson first started hooking up, Marty wanted to sleep with me to make Gibson jealous. I-I kept turning him down until he figured out you were the one I really wanted. He blackmailed me using you,” I clarify. “And he made me sleep with him to protect you from losing Etch 'N Ink. I know it sounds crazy, and I promise I hated every single second of it, but––”

“What was it? What did he use to blackmail you?” Milo growls, his hands fisted at his sides. The people around the gallery can hear us. Or at least, some of them can. Their curious gazes keep shifting our way as they pass the hallway’s entrance. It’s like we’re their own real-life soap opera, and it makes me sick.

“Can we…?” I bite my lip and look down the short hall again. Marty and his dad are partially blocking the entrance. I drop my voice low. “Can we talk about this––”

“Answer the question,Em,” Milo growls, refusing to back down. “What. Blackmail?”

He’s not listening.

We’re too far gone.

There’s too much bad blood.

There’s no going back after this.

I wipe beneath my nose with the back of my hand and take a deep breath. The man I know and love is missing, replaced with a stranger. A stranger who’s glaring at me with so much anger, so much frustration and rage, I’m surprised I’m still standing. But I can’t keep the truth from him any longer, and I’m not sure how much more time he’ll give me to explain myself, so I need to take full advantage of it while I have the chance.

“The night you called and asked me to bail you out. I was buying some weed from Marty,” I explain, the tears streaming freely down my cheeks. “H-he overheard our conversation. At that point, he knew I cared about you, and he knew he could get you fired if he told Jos you’d been arrested because one of his friends used to work there and had something similar happen. He blackmailed me into sleeping with him by threatening to get you fired. And I-I let him. I couldn’t stand by and do nothing while you lost your dream.”

My entire body floods with shame as the memories assault me from all sides.

His hands.

His mouth.

Mymouth.

The way I let him into my body. The things I did. The things I let him do. And the repercussions which led me here. To this moment. This catastrophic conversation. The look on Milo’s face. The fear flowing through my veins.

I could lose it all.

Iamgoing to lose it all. I can feel it.

Milo doesn’t say a single word. He simply stands there. Looking at me. With disgust. Contempt. Like I betrayed him. Like I lied to him. Like I managed to hurt him in a way he didn’t even think was possible. And it’s all true. Ididdo those things. And even though I’d give anything to take it back, I can’t.

And that’s what hurts the most.

Donny digs for something in his pocket, steps closer, and offers me his business card.

“My number. If you ever need anything, I’m here. What my son did to you is despicable, and he willneversee another cent from me if he bothers you again.” He looks at Marty, driving his point home. “Get your ass out the door.Now.”

“We’re not finished––”

“Yes. You are,” Donny seethes. “I’ve covered up enough of your shit to last a lifetime, and it’ll only take a snap of my fingers to reverse it all.Thisis the final straw. You do not deserve her innocent child. Her daughter is not a bargaining chip. She is not an item to be held over my or this woman’s head. The fact you brought me here, you blackmailed her mother, and you honestly thought I wouldn’t see through your master plan to get back in my good graces is a load of shit. Whether or not the baby is yours, you are not allowed to come within a mile of her, especially considering the investigation you’re already dealing with. If you do, I’ll call the cops myself and will make sure you’re arrested immediately. Understood?”

Marty’s jaw is so tight it looks like it could cut glass, but he nods at his father.

“Good,” Donny snaps. “Now, get out of this building, and give these two some space to move past the shit you’ve obviously put them through.”

“There’s nothing to move past,” Milo informs them, his eyes still blazing with hatred as he looks at me. Like I’m a piece of shit he found on his shoe.

The tears continue to stream freely from my eyes, and I cover my mouth, Milo’s words settling over me like a damn vat of acid. Burning me. Scalding me. Leaving me raw and vulnerable.

Through my watery gaze, I stare back at him, my shame choking me. “Milo, please…”

Please tell me we can work through this. Please tell me you still love me. Please forgive me. For everything.

His jaw ticks as he shakes his head, disgusted.

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