Serves Me Wright (Wright #9) - K.A. Linde Page 0,89
aren’t answering my calls?” Ashleigh said.
“And the next day at the soccer game?” I accused. “Or the vineyard party?”
“There’s an easy explanation for why he didn’t tell you,” Ashleigh said with a viperous smile.
“Stay out of this,” Julian said, wincing all the time.
“Oh no, I think she’s right,” I said, glancing at Ashleigh. “For once, we’re actually in agreement. There’s clearly a reason you didn’t tell me.”
“I didn’t tell anyone,” he said. “The distributors came back with some bullshit excuse for why they wouldn’t work with Wright Vineyard. I panicked and went to Ashleigh to try to figure out if we could fix it. It had nothing to do with her.”
“Didn’t it? Isn’t that why you didn’t tell me? Why you didn’t go to me?”
“Why would he go to you?” Ashleigh scoffed. “What do you know about business? What contacts do you have?”
My breath came out uneven as the first working of a panic attack clouded my vision and wobbled through my body. I didn’t want this to happen. I didn’t want my body to take over for me, but I was helpless to stop it. And I’d forgotten to take my anxiety meds this morning. Oh fuck…
I scrambled through my bag, seemingly uncaring that they were both watching me have a freak-out. I shook a pill out into my hand and downed it dry. I didn’t even care at that point. I couldn’t care. Not when my entire body threatened to shut down as reality washed over me.
Julian had hidden this from me. He’d lied to me about it. He’d gone to his ex-girlfriend, who he’d claimed to hate. And yet, he’d chosen her over me. Her. Over me.
What had I been thinking all this time? That things with Julian were just too perfect. If something looked too good to be true, it probably was. I’d been living in this dream world. Julian and I were happy, and nothing could break that. Everything was fine. I belonged here. Finally right here, where I’d always wanted to be. I’d been dreaming, and now, I was awake. The bubble had burst. The dream world was gone. Only reality invaded my mind as I stared at what could have been and saw only what was.
“This isn’t what it looks like,” Julian insisted.
“It’s exactly what it looks like.”
“Jesus,” Ashleigh said. “Don’t you see that she has a problem? She’s taking pills right in front of your face now, and you’re not wondering why?”
I swallowed harder, glaring at her.
But it was Julian who, just for a fraction of a second, went from concerned to confused. “What pills are you taking?”
My voice turned steely. “Oh my God, as if that’s anyone’s business.”
“See,” Ashleigh said, “I told you she was doing drugs.”
I gasped at the words and stared at her in shock. “I’m what?”
“When I saw you at the charity gala, you were doing cocaine in the bathroom. I saw you all sweaty, pupils dilated, wiping your nose. I’ve seen the addict behavior before.”
I shook my head. “You are out of your goddamn mind. You will say anything to try to get Julian back.”
“I don’t have to say anything but the truth.”
And then I saw the moment in front of me. Julian wavered at Ashleigh’s words. He didn’t even see her for the slimy bitch that she was. That she was trying to tear us apart by accusing me of bullshit. He didn’t even see what was standing right in front of him. I was furious with him about hiding the distribution issue and going to Ashleigh, but that look…that look broke me.
“Fine. Believe what you want,” I said. I snatched up my purse and stormed past them both and out of the house.
Annie pulled into the driveway when I stepped outside. Thank God I’d texted her earlier, or I’d have been walking home. My hands were shaking as the side effects of my panic attack lingered on the periphery.
Julian dashed out after me. He was in no position to run, but our argument must have put his hangover on hold.
“Jen! Jen, wait,” he called, reaching for me.
“I don’t have anything to say to you,” I told him.
“Please, I don’t know what she’s talking about. I don’t know or care about any of it. I don’t want you to walk away. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
“You lied and hid and second-guessed me and made me second-guess myself. Tell me, Julian, how are you any different than your dad right now?”