Page 117 of Things We Fake
Neil realized his mistake a second too late.
“Oh my God,” I whispered. “It was you.”
I had been so sure Britt was behind the pranks, the sex swing, the fake dating profiles, the phone calls...
But it had been Neil. Looking back, I realized Britt had never actually claimed responsibility for any of it. Cam and I had just mistaken her lack of denial for an admission.
I stared at him in horror. “You were trying to sabotage my relationship with Cam. You wanted him to leave me, so you tried to make it look like I was some sort of—”
I stopped myself just in time. I couldn’t think of a synonym for slut that was appropriate to say in front of my parents. But Neil’s expression spoke volumes. That had been exactly his plan. He’d really thought Cam was that shallow and gullible.
Neil didn’t deny it. On the contrary, his expression was almost smug.
“Tell me that’s not romantic. Has any man gone to so much trouble to get his woman back? Has Mister Fancy CEO ever gone to so much trouble for you?”
I was speechless. His delusions had no limits. How could a person be so oblivious to other people’s feelings, so self-absorbed? It was beyond my understanding. The situation would be hilarious if it weren’t for my family, their hackles raised, waiting to tear Neil apart. God, how tempted I was to lead the pack!
“What is he talking about?” Mom asked, clearly tired of this situation.
I waved a hand, gesturing vaguely. “I’ll fill you in later. Neil, let’s take this outside.”
Paul stepped in front of me; my father growled a protest; my mother and Michelle stood, ready to physically stop me from going outside with Neil.
My heart softened as I saw those four people who were ready to go to battle to defend me. My dear family. But this was one battle that I needed to finish alone. I wanted to.
I looked at all of them in turn. “I’ve got to do this. I’ll be right on the porch, and it will only take a minute.”
They took their sweet time before they reluctantly backed off.
“I’ll keep my eyes on you,” my father said to Neil, his voice lethal.
Neil swallowed audibly and turned toward the door.
Once we were outside, I closed the door behind me and turned to face Neil. I stared up at his handsome face, the sun making me squint a little. I had known that face so well. I used to see my future in it. Now all I saw was a mask that hid a whole lot of emptiness.
For the first time, Neil seemed to read something in my expression because his hopeful smile faded. “You’re not coming back to me?”
“No. Never.”
He looked genuinely puzzled. “Why not? Sue, we were great together, remember?”
I pushed the hair out of my face, shaking my head. Laughter bubbled in my throat. “Neil, do you have any idea what you did to me? Do you have any idea what I felt when I found you with my best friend? Can you comprehend the pain I felt, the trauma you caused me?”
His face was blank for a moment. Then I thought I saw a shadow of remorse cross over his features. Helooked down at his shoes, shoving his hands into his pockets. “I said I was sorry. I begged you to forgive me, but you refused to even talk to me after that moment. I never even saw you again, because you left Warwick immediately.”
“It was the only way I could survive such a heartbreak. A new start.” I licked my lips. “Why did you do it? Why did you cheat on me? What did Sally have that I didn’t?”
He shrugged, still not looking me in the eyes. “Nothing. She didn’t have anything that you didn’t. On the contrary, she’s a bitter vindictive bitch, whereas you… Well, you’re treating me with more grace than she ever has.”
What a compliment. Still, I persisted. “Then why did you cheat on me? Were you in love with her?”
“Hell, no.” He finally looked me in the eyes. “There was no specific reason, Sue. I just didn’t know better. She was cute, flirty, she put out… It’s all a man needs. We’re not made to be monogamous, you know. It’s a scientific fact.”
I wanted to punch him so badly that I had to curl my fists and bury my fingernails in my palms.
I stared at him in disbelief. “That’s all you have to say? That’s why you broke my heart and destroyed my innocence, my hopes, my dreams? Because you think genetics dictates what you do with your dick?”
His eyes widened in shock, but I was done listening. I’d finally found my voice.
