and I did it because Sara’s my friend and you’re her sister.”
Arissa bites her lower lip and Jason takes hold of Hunter’s arm. “Let it go, man.” Despite his words, he glares at her. “From now on, you leave all of us out of your check-ins and statuses.”
She nods, slumping her shoulders and then turns away until Mom joins us.
Arissa explains to Driver Deputy how the sisters have been finding us. He takes note of this and tells us we can leave. Mom gives Arissa the same look she gave us when she stepped out of the bridal shop. Arissa hangs her head and heads for the car.
“I thought she was smarter than that,” Mom says, letting Arissa go alone.
“None of us thought about it, Mom.”
At least we have an end to the Statton sisters wreaking havoc in our lives. Even if it means going to court yet again, but I’ve done that before.
CHAPTER EIGHTY-TWO
I moved into our apartment while Jason was at a tournament in New York with the team. Spending two days alone was a new experience. Unpacking and setting everything up kept me busy and I stayed up late talking to Hunter last night.
“We just got off the bus and we’re about to walk back to the dorm now,” Jason tells me over the phone. “Can you come over?”
“Sure.”
“Cool. Give me twenty minutes.”
I leave on time and drive his car so I’m not walking home in the dark. I turn the corner of his building and halt. My heart slams against my chest.
How could he?
Jason is outside his room kissing a woman with his hands on her waist. Her arms are wrapped around his neck. He pulls away and steps back while saying something to her. His eyes flicker up and lock onto mine.
“Parker!”
I run.
I run as fast as my legs will take me.
He chases after me. “Parker! Wait! Sara!”
This isn’t the game of Tag we played. This isn’t a game at all. I’m running as if my life depended on it, not for play. My arms propel me forward, one long stride after the other. I unlock the car with the remote when I’m in range, then jump in the passenger side and lock the door behind me.
Jason reaches the car as the lock pops into place. “Parker! Open the door!” He tugs on the handle. “Parker!”
I watch him bang on the window with the palm of his hand as the shock wears off. A surge runs through my body and the floodgates open. I can’t stop the tears and I cover my face with my hands.
This is what I secretly waited for. It was there on the sidelines with the demons. The demons may be gone, but one of their offspring hung around. The confirmation that Jason could never love someone as damaged as me. The unceremonious dump for someone better, someone whole. Proof that Simon is right.
“Sara, please! It’s not what you think! Please, open the door!”
I shake my head as my body undulates with uncontrolled, hard sobs. My chest caves in from the weight of torment. I want it to just collapse in on itself and make me disappear completely.
“Parker! Please!”
I curl into a ball and give myself over to the weeping. The car rocks from something hitting it. Someone. Jason. I remain huddled, or I’ll have to see his face. His lying, traitorous face.
I gave myself to him. I moved up here for him. And all this time he had another woman on the side up here. How could I be so stupid?
My body shudders at the end of my crying jag and I open my eyes gradually. I don’t see him around the windows and I raise up in one swift motion while scanning the area. I finally peer down outside the window. He sits on the asphalt with his back to the door, his hands on his head, and elbows resting on his bent knees.
A duel between rage and compassion erupts within when I recognize his suffering, each emotion seeking the lone spot on the victory stand. I’ve witnessed his anguish since Mike died, but I can’t forget what I just saw. I want to cradle him in my arms and I want to knock him out. I didn’t move up here and set up our apartment while he was at a tournament in New York for this. I deserve better, no matter how damaged I am.
I jam the key in the ignition and turn it one click. Music blares