Page 1 of What Goes Around

Part I

Chapter 1: A Lie I Didn’t Tell

"No."

For a second, I thought I’d misheard him. Every head in the church turned toward Thomas, including mine. The priest froze mid-blessing, his hand suspended in the air, and the whispers started immediately, ripping through the crowd like a wave.

Thomas looked like a ghost. His skin was pale, his eyes darting between the priest, the guests, and Payton, his bride, before dropping to the floor like he couldn’t bear to look at anyone.

“I’m sorry,” he said, his voice breaking. “I… I can’t.”

My eyes widened in disbelief and my stomach dropped as I watched Payton stumble a step back. Then she turned and ran, her white dress flashing down the aisle toward the back room, where just thirty minutes ago I’d been helping her fix her veil. Helping her smile.

"Payton!" Thomas called, stumbling after her.

I didn’t think. I just moved. My heels clicked against the church floor as I followed them, my heart hammering so loud it drowned out the murmurs behind me.

The door to the bridal room was shut. I could hear muffled voices inside, Payton’s, raw and furious; Thomas’s, low and broken.

My hand trembled as I knocked.

"Not now!" Thomas snapped.

So I waited. Five long minutes passed. My heart pounded, palms sweaty, my mind running through a dozen awful possibilities. Then came a sound, something shattering, then a choked sob.

"Payton?" I called, and without thinking, I pushed the door open.

The air inside was thick and tense. The vanity mirror was cracked, shards glittering on the floor. A puddle of perfume spread across the tiles, the scent sharp in my nose. Payton stood in front of the mirror, mascara running down her cheeks, breathing like she was seconds from breaking. Thomas was behind her, wrecked, eyes red, guilt etched deep into his features.

Before I could speak, Payton spun toward me.

"You!" she screamed as her palm cracked across my cheek. The sting burned hot, shocking me speechless.

“Ah... what... Payton, what’s going on?” I stammered.

"How could you?" she screamed, voice breaking.

My pulse thundered in my ears. I looked between her and Thomas, desperate for an answer.

"What are you talking about? W-what happened?"

"You happened!" she screamed, tears streaming down her face. "You!"

I blinked, confused. “I don’t... what do you mean?”

"I mean my fiancé thinks he might have feelings for you!"

The air vanished from my lungs. “What?”

Thomas ran a hand through his hair, his eyes full of regret.

“I couldn’t keep lying to her, Ash. About the calls. The late-night talks. The connection we have. After you told me how you felt..."

"What?" I whispered, the room spinning. "I never... Thomas, I never said that."

The door burst open behind me. “What the hell is going on?”

Payton turned to her brother, eyes wild. “Nick! Did you know? Your precious Ashley has been cheating on you, with my fiancé!”