and his mouth is gaping. He finally adjusts his grey T-shirt and jeans. He rakes a hand through his sandy hair, shaking his head with a deep laugh.
“Un-fucking-believable,” he says, still laughing. “Really? You wanted me to help you and I did, but now you’re against me? If anything, you’re just as low as I am, Sharon. Breaking up a happy home—” He stops himself from talking to laugh again. “I’m out of here. It’s not worth it anyway. I have shit to do.”
Sharon and I watch him walk away, still carrying his confidence. I hate myself for falling for his bullshit—for allowing him to even touch me. I should have known he wasn’t looking for anything other than sex. But he was so sweet. Sometimes I felt like he was actually being genuine and trying to win me over. It’s what I get for opening up to people. As I’ve mentioned before, I’m always the one to get fucked over.
Sharon turns around slowly, her green eyes soft with guilt. “I-I’m sorry,” she whispers. “I’ll be honest. I was just so envious and upset that Nolan was still treating me like trash after spending an entire night with me. I was being someone I wasn’t these past few weeks because I thought I could win him over but . . .,” Her voice drifts as she looks from me to the window beside her. “I’m sorry. Jealousy is ugly and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that Nolan actually deserves to be happy. That whole night he kept bringing you up and I didn’t know how to handle it. I feel so terrible for what I did to him when we were younger. He deserved so much more, but I killed him even more inside. I was a terrible girlfriend.”
I remain speechless for a second. I’m not sure what to say to this. “You set me and Tyler up?” I ask.
“I did but I thought he had changed. He was doing so well by himself over here and he had even told me he had a girlfriend. Of course it was a lie. I used to blame our Dad for screwing Tyler up in the head because my dad went to prison for date-raping but after a while, I realized it’s just who Tyler is. It’s why he moved from California to Miami—to most likely meet hotter girls and manipulate them into sex. He was covering it up so well that I actually believed when he said he was changing. I can’t control Tyler any more. He’s grown and I can’t tell him what to do. I come every month just to make sure he’s okay and I thought he was . . . until I told him to become friends with you. I guess it’s my fault.”
“Wow,” I breathe. I can’t believe any of this. “I think I just need to go,” I say as I grab for my bag and notebook.
“Just do me a favor,” Sharon says, grabbing arm. By the disappointing look in her eyes, I know she’s going to tell me not to tell Nolan but that’s impossible. I’m telling him regardless. “Tell Nolan to whoop Tyler’s ass. Maybe getting his ass beat will get him to stop. Nolan’s never been the one to hold back when justice needs to be served.” She winks and my eyes stretch as I smile at her.
“I will.” I begin to walk off, taking a glance over my shoulder at her. “You know, sometimes we can’t control who we really are, Sharon. Just be yourself and leave Tyler in the dust. If he messes up, let him suffer the consequences. You seem like a nice girl. Nolan may not be the one but I know there’s a better match out there for you.”
Her lips press and then she winks. She turns around slowly, thinking on my words before smiling. “Be good to Nolan, sweetie,” she says before turning down the nearest aisle.
I watch her disappear and as it all comes crashing down, the only person I can think of to talk to at the moment is my Mom. I have to call her. I need to hear something positive from her. I won’t tell her about Tyler or Sharon. She’ll most likely beg me to come back home. I don’t want to come home because being in Miami feels like home. I just need to vent to her and I’ll do just that to someone who will actually listen