Page 27 of Whatever He Wants
“Oh, I bet you really helped him deal with his grief.Did he cry his wife’s name as he filled you up?”
My lip curls.“You reached a new low.You’re a scumbag.”
“And you’re a whore.That’s why Isaac let us stay here rent-free.Because he got paid a different way—easier access to a piece of your ass on the regular.”
Physically, Matt hasn’t changed, but he’s unrecognizable.I’ve never seen such an ugly side to him, and it even shows in his twisted features.It’s unbelievable how a few minutes of verbal cruelty can wash away years of love.His anger is justified.I did cheat on him, even if I didn’t sleep with Isaac, and I’m ashamed of what I did.But how can he speak to me and treat me this way after everything I’ve done for him?
Tears pool in my eyes.For years, I put up with his laziness, his selfishness, and all his disappointing choices that fed my growing resentment.We were in trouble for a while, but I ignored the alarms.I was too afraid of losing someone I loved and my closest friend at the same time.
But the alarms are quiet now because the explosion finally happened.I was unfaithful to him, and he wanted to use me to save his skin.This is the end of the line.We can’t continue.Not after hurting each other this much.
“We’re over, Matt.”My voice wavers, my tears falling faster than I can wipe away.“You need to leave.”
“My dad always said that women are bitches or whores,” he says, his voice cold.“I used to think you were different, but I was wrong.You’re both.”
“I used to think you were worth holding on to, but I was wrong.You’re not.Pack your stuff and get out of my life.”
17
Denise
I come home from work to silence and everything the way I left it.Tidy, no skunky weed stinking up the place, and no loud video game sounds blasting in my ears.
It’s been a week and I’ve accepted that my relationship with Matt is over.Actually, I’m relieved.I don’t miss him at all, and I regret I didn’t end it with him sooner.I let fear control my actions, resigning myself to a seat I thought comfortable despite the screw poking my ass.
I cried after he left that night, then woke up refreshed the next morning.It’s like I opened up a bottle and poured out all the bad stuff.I’m rinsed and empty now.Free to welcome new and better things.
Matt collected the rest of his stuff the following day.The asshole even took stuff I bought.I came home and discovered my TV, bluetooth speakers, and microwave missing.Proof that he lied when he promised to never steal again.He’ll always be a thief.It still pisses me off, but I’m not going after him.I don’t want to see or speak to him anytime soon.
I wonder what he’ll say if someone asks why we broke up, though.Of course, he’ll tell a one-sided story where I’m the only one at fault.The cheating bitch who stomped on his heart after he tried to propose.Will he reveal the other man is Isaac?
My phone pings as I take off my clothes.A text from June.
It was a day.Ready for story time?
Since June works at a bridal store, she always has a front-row seat to a bridezilla meltdown or future in-law drama.I smile and sit on the couch in my underwear, my thumbs tapping on the keyboard.
Hit me.
She starts typing a response but gives up and calls me instead.
“Today was a new one,” she says, and I can almost hear her shaking her head.“Some lady came in without an appointment and wanted to try on a dress.”
“Uh oh.I have a bad feeling about this.”
June sighs.“I did too.I saw it in her eyes, but I thought I was wrong.From now, I’ll trust my instincts over wanting to be nice.”
I nod.“It’s safer.”
“Anyway, here’s what happened.After Katelyn gives me the OK, I take the lady over to the discount rack.She says no, she wants something fancier.She doesn’t look like she can afford it, but you never know, right?I decide to show her the pricier dresses, and she chooses one.While I’m waiting for her to put it on, I hear a rattling and a hissing sound, then I smell this weird chemical scent…”
“Oh my god…”
“…I ask, is everything OK in there?She doesn’t answer.I’m panicking when she finally comes out of the dressing room and hands me the dress.”June pauses, her deep breath audible.I imagine she’s casting her gaze upward as if praying for strength to say the rest.“Denise, this ladyspray-painted on the dress!”
I cover my mouth, horrified yet trying to suppress the laugh threatening to spill out.
“No!”
