Page 98 of Trick or Treat Nurse at My Feet
He spots me coming up the walkway, and his face lights up. "Ethan! You're early—" he breaks off, his smile faltering as he registers my expression. "What's wrong?"
Stopping at the bottom of the steps, I look up at him. The words I'd rehearsed in my head evaporate, leaving only raw, bleeding hurt.
"How could you?" My voice is quiet, yet it carries in the sudden stillness.
Tyler's brow furrows in confusion. "What? How could I what?"
"Was it funny for you?" My voice is getting louder now. "Was it a good laugh with your brothers, stringing along the naive gay kid?"
Drew stands up, looking between us. "Whoa, what's going on?"
"Stay out of this," The words come out sharp, eyes never leaving Tyler. "This is between me and your Vice President."
Tyler descends the steps, reaching for my arm. "Ethan, I have no idea what you're talking about. Whatever you think I did?—"
Jerking away from his touch, I thrust the photos at his chest. "Don't — Don't touch me — Explain these."
He looks confused as he takes the stack, but his expression shifts to shock as he flips through them. "What the hell? This isn't — these aren't real."
"They look pretty real to me," bitterness drips off of every word. "You and Cher, '90s night. The same night, you supposedly realized you had feelings for me. Was it fun, juggling both of us?"
By now, a small crowd has gathered. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Gavin and James emerge from the house, drawn by the commotion. And there, at the edge of the yard, stands Cher with a few of her sorority sisters, watching with undisguised interest.
"Ethan, these are fake," Tyler says desperately. "I never kissed Cher that night. I was with you almost the entire time, remember?"
"Except for the hour you disappeared to 'help Drew with something,'" I throw back. "I guess now I know what, or who, you were helping."
"No! That's not—" Tyler runs a hand through his hair in frustration. "I was helping Drew break up a fight in the backyard. Ask him!"
"Like I'd believe anything any of you say now," my laugh sounds harsh and broken. "God, I'm such an idiot. I actually convinced myself that you were different. That this was real."
"It is real," Tyler insists, taking a step toward me. "Ethan, please, you have to believe me. I never kissed Cher. I haven't touched her since we broke up months ago."
"Liar," I hiss, tears threatening to spill even as I clench my jaw, determined to keep it together. "You were just experimenting, right? Testing the waters with a guy before going back to what you really want?" I gesture toward Cher. "Well, congratulations. Experiment concluded. You can go back to her now."
Tyler looks devastated. "Ethan, please?—"
"No. We're done." My voice breaks on the last word. "You were different, you made me believe you were different. Fuck you and fuck her. Go back to that hag that's been hanging off you the whole time."
Turning to leave, I'm unable to handle looking at his face any longer. As I do, I catch sight of Cher watching us, a small, satisfied smile playing at her lips. The realization hits me like a physical blow; she knew I'd be here tonight. She orchestrated this whole thing.
"Ethan, wait!" Tyler calls after me. "These photos are fake. I can prove it?—"
"Save it," I cut him off, turning back one last time. "Lose my number, Tyler. Never contact me again."
As I walk away, I'm aware of the stunned silence behind me, the weight of dozens of eyes watching my retreat. Sylas appears beside me, slipping his arm through mine supportively.
"You okay?" he asks quietly.
Silence feels safer until we're a block away. Then the tears break free, coming in waves while sobs shake through my entire body.
"I loved him," the words feel like they are tearing from somewhere deep inside me. "I was going to tell him tonight."
Sylas pulls me into a fierce hug, right there on the sidewalk. "I know," he says softly. "I know."
Chapter 25
Anatomy of a Frame Job
