Page 72 of Deeply Examined

“You knew me? Knew who I was?”

West doesn’t answer, his silence speaking louder than words ever could. Minutes ago, I felt like I was in a dream, but it turns out this is a nightmare.

Adam

Jessica stares at me, her brow knit together with a pleading look like she’s begging me to say it isn’t true.

I can’t, though. I can’t lie to her. Not anymore.

“I knew.”

I see the second it happens, when the betrayal hits. Rose blooms on her cheeks, such a pretty sight for such an ugly moment.

Kent gasps dramatically. “What?! You didn’t know?” He lets out a sharp, braying laugh that echoes in the small room. He bends over, his hands on his knees, laughing so hard he wheezes. “He didn’t tell you, Jessica? Thisboyfriendyou’ve been bragging about for months?”

My fists clench so tightly that my nails dig into my palms. Of all people—why doeshehave to be Jessica’s boss? Kent, my high-school tormentor. My bully. The urge to shut him up is almost impossible to resist. It would be so easy to give him back all the pain and misery he gave me, but magnified by ten.

I can’t, though.

Not here. Not now.

Because if I do, Jessica might pay the price. Her reputation, her job, the students she loves so much—one wrong move, and I could ruin it all for her. I grit my teeth and swallow the anger, letting it simmer beneath the surface.

“Jess,” I say with quiet desperation, begging her to look at me. “Let’s go. We can talk about this at home.”

“Home?! Oh my god, don’t tell me youlivetogether?” Kent howls, every bit the smug prick he was back in high school. “This keeps getting better.”

Her jaw working, Jessica ignores both Kent and me, but she’s holding back tears. I can see how she swallows them down.

I run a hand through my hair and steady my voice to say, “Come on. Let’s go.” I place a gentle hand on her upper arm.

She rips away from my grasp and hisses, “Don’t touch me!”

Panic thumps its wings in my chest. I’m losing her, right before my eyes. I’m losing the only person I care about in this entire godforsaken world.

Kent, ever the opportunist, smirks at her. “Don’t worry, Jess. You can always come home with me.”

God help me, I’m going to kill him.

Jessica curls her lip, disgust written across her face, and answers with an icy, “No thanks.”

“Your loss, babe,” Kent shoots back, shrugging as if he didn’t just pour gasoline on an already raging fire.

Jessica doesn’t spare him another glance. She turns her focus entirely on me—her eyes filled with anger, betrayal, and something far worse: heartbreak.

Jessica

I don’t talk to West on the drive home. God knows, he tries. He explains, cajoles, argues, and eventually begs, but I don’t hear any of it. I’ve tuned him out. Instead, I’m listening to my own internal dialogue, which repeats like a mantra.

Stupid, dumb Jessica. So naïve.

Barely holding onto my sanity, I grip the door handle so hard my knuckles ache and take in one shuddering breath after another.

Should’ve known better. Can’t trust him…or anyone.

No parents. No love. No family.

That’s my destiny.

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