who tells me to agree to marry her, then
makes me bail at the last minute. You’re so
mean, Layla!”
Tears streamed down my face.
I was a joke. A pawn in their game.
It explained why Ashton never seemed happy when he agreed to marry me.
I’d been too blinded by excitement to notice
the disdain in his eyes.
Layla leaned against Ashton, playfully hitting his chest.
planall
idan in the first place!!!
Join the bookshelf
<
“It was your idea in the first place!”
“I just did it to amuse you!”
They kissed.
Numb, I let Chloe lead me out of the bar.
The night air felt icy.
“El, you’re too good for this world. That’s why those two jerks keep messing with you!”
I managed a weak smile.
“It’s over. Ashton and I are done.”
After I finally convinced Chloe to go home, I
went back to my apartment.
The courier called.
He was at Ashton’s house, but Ashton wasn’t
answering his phone.
I’d forgotten Ashton never answered calls
from unknown numbers.
I called Ashton.
He was at a bar, the music loud, his voice
smug.
“Back so soon? What happened to all that
く
tough talk earlier?”
In the past, I would have apologized, begged
him to forgive me.
Now, I just said, “I left your things at your
door. Get them when you get home.”
He sounded even smugger.
“Oh, El, what did you buy me this time? Trying to win me back?”
“Weren’t you so tough, sending that text to everyone? Saying you’d avoid any party I’m at? Now you’re trying to suck up to me?”
<
I hung up.
I thought I heard him ask what I’d sent him,
saying he’d decide whether to forgive me
based on the gift.
I laughed.
Years of being his doormat, and I still had no
dignity in his eyes.
It didn’t matter.
He’d wake up eventually.
4
く
I went no contact.
Deleted his number, unfriended him
everywhere.
When friends invited me out, I always asked if
Ashton would be there.
Eventually, everyone understood and only
invited one of us.
Time passed.
It was the day before our college reunion.
Chloe had called, excited about it.
Join the bookshelf
く
I’d received an invitation too. As a
distinguished alumna.
I hadn’t expected Ashton to be there.
But he was. He’d always been a top student,
and he’d donated to the college after
graduation.
Of course he’d be invited.
