Page 152 of What Goes Around

Ashley.

God, Ashley.

What would she think? Would she believe me if I said I’d been drugged? Would she even listen?

The thought that I might have destroyed everything made my stomach twist all over again. I refused to accept that this was how it ended.

“No,” I said, making a decision. “Nobody can know about this.”

Apple watched me closely. For a split second, I thought I saw anger flicker behind her tears, but my fogged mind must have been playing tricks on me.

“We’re in this together,” She wiped her cheeks and said quietly. “We’re both victims.”

I dressed mechanically, movements stiff and disconnected. Apple did the same, slipping back into last night’s dress.

She kept trying to talk. I didn’t engage.

My mind was elsewhere. Spiraling. Replaying the same questions over and over with no answers.

I left first.

Outside, sunlight stabbed at my eyes. I was still in last night’s clothes. Rumpled. Obvious. I saw someone lift a phone, lens pointed in my direction.

I scowled and raised a hand, blocking my face.

I did not want this. Any of it.

Behind me, Apple stepped out too. Last nights dress. Wrinkled. One hand lifted to cover her face.

An hour later, it was already online.

A post on a local tea account.

Caption: New couple?

The next day, I went to the hotel where Ashley was staying.

I knew she could leave at any moment. Riverton wasn’t home to her anymore. She had only come back for the wedding, and she’d already stayed longer than she needed to. If I didn’t talk to her now, I might never get another chance.

I waited in the lobby.

I didn’t dare go upstairs.

The receptionist kept glancing at me like she was debating whether I was a problem. Security hovered just out of sight. I probably looked unstable enough to justify it. I felt like I was barely holding myself together anyway.

By then, everyone knew.

That damn Instagram post had exploded overnight. I’d been tagged hundreds of times. Messages I hadn’t opened. Calls I hadn’t answered. Speculation everywhere.

I was sure I looked like shit. I felt like shit.

Then the elevator doors opened.

Ashley stepped out, pulling a small suitcase behind her.

For a second, I forgot how to breathe.

I pushed off the wall, stumbling slightly before catching myself.