Page 267 of The Perfect Spiral
Lovey adores Tyson. She danced with him as much as she could last night, telling Sam he’s ‘such a catch’ and winking at her.
My thoughts are interrupted when I hear a cry behind us. The back door slides open to reveal Mila and Adam.
“See, she’s not gone yet, sweetie. Alex is still here,” he reassures, poking his little head out to confirm my presence. Upon seeing me, he rushes over and clambers into my arms.
His eyes are puffy and red, his cheeks swollen and stained with the salty remnants of his tears. I wipe them away and pull him close, hugging him tightly. “I’m still here, Adam. I wouldn’t leave without saying goodbye to you, honey.”
Ben strokes his head, offering comfort. Adam falls asleep in my arms, his steady breathing nearly lulling me to sleep as well. I’m exhausted from crying so hard. At least someone will miss me, I think to myself.
Chapter 97
The mothers have prepared a feast for dinner, a spread fit for my friends and family. They certainly know how to cook a meal. We all gather inside as rain begins to fall just before dinner is ready.
I fill my plate with salad, chicken, and rice. I take a seat at the head of the table, swirling my whiskey neat in a clear glass, watching as raindrops slide down the windowpane.
The encroaching darkness outside feels ominous. I catch Knox’s eye from across the table, Lauren by his side. He offers me a small smile, which I return before looking back down at my food.
Just breathe, Alex. Ben is sitting next to me, Andy on my other side. I try to stay present, to not zone out amidst the chatter of everyone around me.
Ben is engrossed in a conversation about Google and its operations with my brothers, but I can’t focus. I’m just so tired.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Eden’s little head bobbing up and down as she walks over to Knox, a piece of paper in her hand.
She hands it to him, his smile sending her into a fit of giggles as she runs off into the living room. The way they look at each other makes my heart melt.
“Oooooh... baby! She drew you a picture!” Lauren gushes, but her words send a chill down my spine. I freeze, my fork suspended mid-air. Her voice... why does it sound so familiar?
After a few minutes of replaying her words in my head, trying to figure it all out, it hits me.
I feel the blood drain from my face, as if I’ve been stabbed by athousand needles.
“Shiiiit Andrew! Right... there!... mmmm right there baby,” the memory from that night echoes in my mind.
I gasp, my gaze snapping to Lauren. Images from that night flood my mind.
She’s the girl I walked in on with Drew.
Her voice was so similar. How did I not recognize it? That’s why her moans were so familiar. That’s where I know them from. She fucked Drew.
My grip tightens around my fork, the metal bending under the force. Rage courses through me, and I’m ready to launch myself at her.
“Alex? Are you alright?” Ben asks, grabbing my arm, but everyone is staring at me, confused.
The way she said Drew’s name was identical to how she said it now. Same tone, same voice. The same with ‘baby’. Identical.
I feel the words rising in my throat, and I can’t hold them back.
“You—” I point my fork at her, and she gives me a bored expression. “You’re the girl!” I stand, my palms flat on the table to steady myself. My chest is heaving. I can’t even finish my thought, the pieces are falling into place too quickly. That’s how she has the pictures of me. Drew must’ve taken some of me naked and given them to her.
“I have no idea what your stupid ass is talkin—”
“You’re the girl I walked in on fucking my ex-boyfriend! It was you!” Her eyes widen a fraction, confirming my accusation. “Oh my god! It was you! You fucking bitch!”
I reach for the glass in front of me, screaming at her as Ben lifts me up and carries me out of the room, away from her. He drags me upstairs, my arms and legs flailing as I try to get at her.
He brings me to my room and locks the door, positioning himself in front of it so I’d have to go through him to leave. I pace the floor, frustrated at how I figured it all out.
“She’s the girl, Ben! SHE’S THE FUCKING GIRL! Her of all people! How did I not link this sooner? Why was I so slow with it all?... Holy shit! She’s the girl!” I repeat, nearly pulling out my hair.
