rat’s ass about what other people think. I never have, and right now, other people’s perception of me is the last thing on my mind.
I just want him to answer why he did it. How could he claim to love me and rip my world apart so callously?
“Answer me, Finn! Why did you do it?!” I yell out once he’s stopped behind a pillar, which is big enough to keep us both hidden from curious, prying eyes.
“I’ll answer you when I understand what the fucking question is about, Stone! Why did I do what, exactly?”
“God, you are such a fucking liar! How can you lie so well? Was everything you said to me a lie, too?”
“Stone, I have never lied to you.”
“Oh, no? Then how about lying by omission. Have you ever omitted something from me? Something that would change my life forever?” His stark, pale face is all the answer I need. “How could you, Finn? I trusted you! I fucking trusted you, and you took everything away from me!” I yell, throwing my fists into his chest and beating it as hard as I can, wanting to hurt him the same way he hurt me.
“Stone,” he croaks, the sound of his pain finally coming through. “What happened? Tell me.”
“What happened is that I fell in love with a liar. A liar who made sure all I had in life was him and nothing else. Well, congratulations. You succeeded.”
“Stone,” he begins to plea, grabbing my wrists in his strong, warm hands.
“Was it because it was in New York? Did you think I was going to forget about you if I went? Tell me. Explain it to me. Just make me understand how you could do something like this,” I wail, snatching my wrists away from his hold, unwilling to let him touch me. “All my life, I dreamed about doing something good with my life, and become someone who would change the world for the better. Working for Watkins & Ellis would get my foot in the door and guarantee my place in Columbia for law school. But after the email you fabricated, and the call you answered in my stead, they want nothing to do with me. I doubt any respectful law firm ever will, once news gets out of why I turned their offer down. I’ll be branded as the girl who preferred to cheer in the stands, watching her boyfriend get beat up by Neanderthals fighting over a damn ball, rather than advocate for justice and save innocent lives.”
“Stone, it’s not like that,” he tries to interject, attempting to get me back in his arms, but I keep my distance, refusing to be played for a fool again.
“Nice touch on the fiancé part, by the way. You really fucking sold it. Kudos for the creativity, quarterback. I didn’t think you had it in you,” I snap, my nose flaring in disgust.
“Stone, just let me get a word in, will you?” he rasps, his voice struggling for sound.
“You want to talk? Okay, then talk! Tell me, how could you have done this to me? No, not how. I already fucking know how you did it. It’s right here in my inbox, reminding me of what an idiot I was,” I bark, pointing at the email on my phone screen.
“Stone, where did you get that phone?”
“Are you fucking kidding me? You gave me the damn thing! Don’t try to change the subject. Just tell me why? Why would you take my dreams away from me?” I cry, my trembling body wanting to cave and melt against him, craving to feel his warmth and consoling touch despite him being the one who ripped me to shreds.
“Why, Finn?” I ask him again after a long pause of silence.
I take a step back, my spine straightening as much as it can while looking up into his tear-filled eyes.
“I never wanted to hurt you.”
“But you did. You did more than hurt me, Finn. You broke something in me that you’ll never be able to fix. I’ll never be able to trust you again.”
“Stone.” He chokes, a rebellious tear falling down his cheek.
“You wanted to know if I loved you, well, now you know. Because a betrayal like this can only hurt this much when it’s done by someone you gave your heart to. I loved you, Finn. I did. But now I can’t stand the sight of you.” I seethe, backing away from him, one step at a time.