Page 150 of Secrets (The Sins Trilogy 2)
Chapter Fifty-Nine
Ivy
It’s hard to leave with my pride intact. Hard not to lose it like a psycho, like I really wanted to. My hands still shake with a violent need to lash out at everyone who was in on this farce.
But figuring out where to go is much harder. And humbling.
I stand in the lobby, hand on the suitcase handle, unsure what my next step should be. I have nowhere to go. I have a job, but not a place of my own. It’s obvious now how one-sided my relationship with Anthony was, because now I’m homeless. I shouldn’t have depended on him like I did on Sam. Anthony’s a liar and a user, just like my so-called uncle.
Even as anger thrums in my veins, grief courses through me, making my eyes prickle. I’ve been a fool. A naïve, broken idiot who deluded herself into believing her life was perfect.
When Anthony came into our bedroom, I was torn between anger and a crazy need for him to explain. I wanted to know it wasn’t just some malicious prank. There had to be some logical excuse for what he did—something that might even redeem him just a little bit. I wanted to believe I hadn’t been so off in my judgment.
But I was. He had so many opportunities to come clean. But even when I was at my most vulnerable and susceptible, he didn’t.
And I bought everything he said. How he must’ve laughed. I remember how surprised and touched I was when he told me he hadn’t been with a woman in seven years before me. Now I can feel humiliation burning my cheeks. Of course he slept with all of them! Then he told them pretty things, made them think they were special and wonderful. Why else would Audrey Duff go that far? If I hadn’t found out about his deception, and he dumped me coldly the way he did his previous women, I might’ve done more than just throw wine in his date’s face.
“Iris—”
“That isn’t my name, Bobbi,” I say lifelessly. “It’s apparently Ivy.”
She pauses for a second. “Okay, Ivy. Where are you heading? If you want, I can take you to a hotel or…” She shrugs.
I shake my head. I don’t want a hotel. Too transient, and it’s going to make me feel like I’m back on the road again, rootless and aimless. I can’t have that if I want to remain in control of my life. But where am I going to find an apartment this late on weekend?
Julie!
Unlike Anthony and Yuna and their friends and family, Julie has been a real friend, one who never lied or tried to manipulate me. She has a place in the city. She was staying with Byron, and even if she’s still mooching off him, I can ask her if I can couch-surf for a few days until I rent a place of my own.
I call her, praying she picks up. She does.
“Iris, what’s up?” she says cheerily.
I inhale deeply, trying to make myself sound normal. “I… Are you still staying at Byron’s?”
“No.” I can hear a scowl in her voice. “He kicked me out after he came back from Hawaii. Why?”
Oh, thank God.Too many things happened between me and Byron for me to be comfortable crashing at his place. I swallow, embarrassed that I have to ask and angry that my misguided trust in Anthony put me in this position. “I know it’s short notice, but would you mind if I stayed with you for a little while? I’ll move out as soon as I find something. I promise.”
A moment of stunned silence. “I… Well, sure. Yeah, of course. That’s fine.”
“Thanks, Julie. Can you send me your address?” Weirdly, I’ve never been to her place in the city. We were usually in some other country when we hung out, and here in L.A. I was staying with Byron until I moved in with Anthony.
“Of course.”
I hang up. Bobbi cocks an eyebrow. “So you’re heading to Julie’s?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll drive you.”
I shake my head, grateful but uncomfortable with her offer. She ultimately works for him. “You don’t have to. It’s over. You’re free to go bake and have babies.” I force a smile. “Thanks for everything.” Anthony is a shithead, but Bobbi’s been good to me. At least I know she kept her word about not telling him about Sam’s visit…and I’m pretty certain she isn’t part of the “let’s make a fool out of Ivy” show. Unlike Yuna, Anthony and his brothers, Bobbi and I never had any reason to know each other, and she probably believed whatever Tony told her about me and my situation.
“The day isn’t over yet,” she says. “And I’m paid up through the month.”
I don’t argue. She looks too resolute. And I don’t have the energy to fight anyway. All I want is to get out of here before Anthony or Yuna comes down to cause a scene, trying to excuse their dishonesty.
We walk to Bobbi’s Escalade, and I give her Julie’s address. It’s a little under half an hour away, and Bobbi drives, obeying the speed limit.
