Page 139 of Cougar

Chris just shakes his head.

“Exactly.” I’ve made my point. “All three of you are at fault for tearing their friendship apart and driving a wedge between our families.”

“We’re all at fault,” Emerson clarifies. “I could’ve waited until Elizabeth calmed down and told her the truth. But I was pissed. I let my pride win over my hurt and anger toward all of you.”

Liz’s arms fall to her sides in defeat, and she turns to face Rebecca. “I can’t believe that all this time, it was you. You sat there while I cried over losing my best friend and said nothing,” she says softly. “Why?” Her voice cracks. “What did I ever do to you? Were you jealous of me? Is that why you’ve pretended to be my friend all these years? Did you want my life or something?”

“No,” Emerson cuts in. “She wanted mine.” Tears spill down her cheeks. I move to wrap my arms around her, to comfort her, but she pushes me away and pins me with a glare full of anger and disdain. A glare that tells me I truly fucked up.

“And she got what she wanted,” Emerson continues. “She got my boyfriend and my best friends.”

Chris barks out a disbelieving laugh. “Seriously?” He looks over at Rebecca. “Is that true? You were jealous of her?”

Rebecca shrugs. “I was young and stupid, Chris.”

“And a whore,” Emerson adds angrily.

I drop my head to hide the huge grin on my face. My woman is savage.

“I’ve met my fair share of horrible people in my life, but none of them compare to you. Even after all these years, you’re still a despicable woman, and I still hate you. Not because you inserted yourself into my life and screwed my boyfriend, but because you hurt my family.”

“What are you even whining about, Emerson?” Rebecca sneers. “You married a fucking rock star. Your life turned out just fine. If anything, I did you a favor. You should be thanking me.”

Oh shit.

Emerson takes a step forward, but I hook my arm around her and pull her to my chest.

“Get out of my house,” Liz growls.

“My pleasure.” Emerson jerks out of my hold and starts for the door.

“Not you, Emerson,” Liz clarifies. “You!” She points to Rebecca. “Get the fuck out of my house.”

Rebecca stares at Liz, shocked. “Liz, it was a mistake. We were teenagers,” she pleads. “When she left, I was the one who was there for you.”

“Out!” Liz points at the door.

As Rebecca stomps to the door, Chris steps up to Emerson and wraps her in a hug. I clench my fists at my sides to keep from punching him in the face. He doesn’t deserve her forgiveness.

“I’m sorry,” he whispers, pressing a kiss to her temple before releasing her and following Rebecca.

“I’m sorry, too, Emerson,” Liz starts, but she’s cut off by Emerson’s sardonic laugh.

She shakes her head, then pins me with a hateful glare. “And the truth shall set you free.” She kisses the tips of her middle fingers and throws her hands in the air, flipping us off on her way to the door.

“I’m sorry, Cam,” Liz says, and the expression on her face tells me she genuinely means it.

“Don’t worry about it.” I shake my head and start for the door. “It’s my fault. I should’ve told her.”

Zach and Jay are standing on the front porch, staring after Emerson.

“Em, wait!” I call out as I chase after her.

“Fuck you, Cam,” she yells over her shoulder before climbing into the passenger seat of Jay’s Range Rover.

Before she has a chance to slam the door, I block the doorway, placing my hands on the roof and leaning down to her face. “It was a long time ago, Emerson.”

“You lied to me, Cam.” Tears pool in her eyes, and my heart drops into my stomach.

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