Page 103 of The Logic of Loyalty

“Betrayal.”

I sit back to digest the new information. The discomfort of knowing I am the reason someone else feels the way that I do. “So, to Carri, I’m … what? The other woman?” My stomach twists when I think about my own casual touches. I’m touchy with people. I did this to another woman. Made her feel the way I do about Krista.

He meets my eyes, and my discomfort triples when he doesn’t dispute the claim. “Exactly that.” Acid coats the back of my throat. I swallow it down, but it gets caught. I need to leave. “I was on the phone with the guy I went to high school with, and the call was picked up by the car when she started it.”

“The friend who knew about your crush.”

“I had just told him that you were my nanny, just bringing up something, a shared history between him and me. He—fuck.” He closes his eyes, then looks to the ceiling. “He is the type of person who would cheat on his woman with the help⁠—”

I can’t help but flinch. The help.

“Dammit. I’m sorry, Paige. That’s not—I’m just saying that’s how he would view the situation. Not me.”

I’ve really got to get out of here. I search the area around me, making sure there’s nothing I brought that I’d need to come back to get. Seeing nothing, I stand and brush off my legs. “I’m going to go.” I flee to the door, but he scrambles after me.

“Paige, I’m sorry about all of this. You didn’t deserve any of the fallout.”

I spin on him. “Oh, you’re right. I didn’t, and you haven’t had my back at all in any of this. Apparently, though, you also didn’t have your wife’s back. All this time, my heart was breaking for you and your son, but it needed to be breaking for your wife and your son.” I’m almost to the door, but he’s still following me.

“That’s not⁠—”

That’s it. I turn around and face him, one hand on the doorknob. “Have you done anything to dispel these rumors? Anything at all beyond quiet-firing me? Don’t you think they’re hurting your wife, too? You think it’s just you or me they are hurting? Or are you hiding out here in your castle, avoiding the truth of what you’ve done since it only affects your wife and the help?”

“Jesus, Paige. It’s not like any of it is true. I haven’t been pining away for you.”

“Oh, fun. Excuses.” I open the door and head to the Suburban, calling over my shoulder, “I’m calling the program director and requesting the drop. I suggest you hop onto the site and replace me.” He stands in the doorway, looking no better than he deserves. “Goodbye.”

I stopped by the house to pick up Bethany, and she takes over driving while I’m this upset. Normally, I’d listen to Linkin Park and drive to the ridges when I feel this way, but after my accident, driving for fun isn’t my favorite thing. Instead, Bethany takes the back way to Piggies to get what I’m currently craving. I need something sweet, something salty, and something chocolatey.

I wave to Frankie at the checkout, whose eyes grow wide at the sight of me, which is fair. I likely look crazy right now. My curly hair is large and in charge.

“Snickers? No. Twix? No. Hershey’s? No.” I scan my options while the information I just learned scrambles around in my brain.

“I should call Carri. But, how would I address it? Hey, so I never did anything with your husband? That sounds crazy, Bethany. That is something a crazy person would do.”

Bethany pats me on my arm. “I’m going to grab your Gala⁠—”

“Pink Lady.”

“Pink Lady. You keep arguing with the chocolate.”

I grunt at her and place my fists at my hips. “He never tried anything with me?” I smack myself with the palm of my hand a few times to try and loosen up a halfway decent thought out when a voice I would happily never hear again calls from the end of the aisle.

“Paige.” I close my eyes and pray for all the patience that I do not have to guide me. I look over to see Krista coming in quickly. My fingers tighten on the Reese’s I grabbed as I consider lobbing it at her. The camera pointing down the aisle limits my options. Officer, my hand slipped when I was pretending to throw it at—sorry—to her stupid flawless face.

“Go away, harlot.” Oh, hell.

She freezes in her tracks and looks me over, head to toe. I am in baby care wear. Don’t mind getting it dirty, easy to maneuver, not flattering. “You look fatter.”

Oh my God. She did not. “Thanks, sugar. What can I do for you? Hygiene products are the next aisle over, but the pharmacy is on the other side of town for your prescription.” I look meaningfully at her waist. “Some things can’t be resolved with a bar of soap and a condom.” I close my eyes and apologize to my granny for my complete public meltdown.

“Wow, Paige. Here I was feeling bad for you. You don’t have to be such a fucking bitch. I saw you come in with Bethany and decided to apologize to you, but whatever.” She turns on her heel to walk away, but she catches my curiosity.

“Apologize?”

She flips her hair when she spins back to me. She’s put together—head to toe coordination. “Yes, apologize. I never wanted your husband, but he was a means to an end. I hope you understand it was nothing personal, you know?”

I don’t need to have these babies behind bars. “Of course it wasn’t personal. He’s done nothing but tell me about how much he regrets the time he spent with you and assure me that he never wanted you that way. Something about you being a dull reflection of me.” Liar, liar, Paige. “It’s cute, actually, how often he reminds me how little you mean to him.” Krista’s face is turning red, but whether it’s in embarrassment or anger, I’m not sure. I blink at her, widening my eyes in feigned innocence. “When are you including Bethany in this apology tour?”