Page 100 of How to Get Revenge on a Cheating Ex
I look past Grayson, but I don’t see Zack in the crowd. All I see is Toni hovering nearby like she’s not sure if she should leave me alone.
Or maybe she’s just trying not to puke again.
Either way, I’m on my own here with Grayson, and that clawing sensation is still there.
I need to find Zack.
“...but they never meant anything to me, Bae. You have to know that.” Grayson’s talking. I catch bits and pieces as I continue to scan the crowd for Zack.
Grayson’s voice is pleading, wheedling. “You’re the only girl I’ve ever loved.”
“Yeah?” I mutter, still not looking at him. Still too distracted trying to find Zack. “Then maybe you should have treated me better.”
“I should have. I know I should have.”
God, his tone is so aggravating. How he manages to sound smug and pathetic all at once is a mystery. He somehow manages to convey that he’s the real victim here, but also that he’s one hundred percent confident that he’ll walk away the victor.
The thought has me looking up at him again.
That’s a mistake. He seems to take my sudden interest as a positive sign. Like I’d just heard him and finally understood his reasoning.
“I was so scared, Bae.” He reaches for my arms but I stumble back a step.
“Scared?” I can’t help myself.
I shouldn’t encourage this display of idiocy, but the word is so ludicrous—and also so exactly what I’m feeling right now.
I’mscared. I’m so freakin’ scared.
My heart clatters wildly, panic rising with each new breath.
Where is Zack? I need to see him. To talk to him. To figure out what this means for us, and?—
“Of course, I was scared, Bailey,” Grayson interrupts my panicky thoughts. “My feelings for you are so intense. I just love you so much, you know?”
I can only stare at him in disbelief.
Is he kidding right now? Surely, he must be joking.
“You loved me so much you cheated on me?” I ask, just to make sure I got that right.
He opens his mouth to respond, but I’m not done.
“You love me so much you made a fool of me, and made me feel like I was paranoid for ever doubting you?” I take a step toward him as anger temporarily drowns out the fear. “You loved me so much you made me doubtmyself. Over and over and over again?” I shake my head. “That’s not fear, Grayson. That’s just cruelty. You weren’t afraid of your feelings, you were afraid of missing out. You wanted it all, and the only thing you’re afraid of is losing.”
Of losing to Zack.
I don’t say it aloud because I don’t want to drag Zack into this. This conversation is about us—me and Grayson.
“That wasn’t it. I was weak, and those girls, they—” He pauses, like he’s overcome, his eyes full of bullshit pain. “They took advantage.”
I can’t stop staring at him, my lips parted in shock. He…didnotjust say that. “They took advantage.”
I repeat his words in utter disbelief. Horror, even. But apparently, that doesn’t come across in my tone because he’s nodding, his brows drawn together in that earnest look again. And I swear, it almost looks like?—
Oh my God.
“Are youcrying?” It’s horrible, but I kind of want to laugh. No, I really,reallywant to laugh. I’ve never once seen Grayson cry, and this...?
