Page 126 of Bitter Lies

“Right.”

After making arrangements, I sit down on the bench behind me and stare into nothing because Griffin hired an attorney…for me. I don’t even know what to think, but I’m grateful because this is going to give me the freedom to move on. Knowing those videos existed was weighing on me heavily because I never knew when the other shoe might drop and with whom they would share the information.

And now, I never have to worry again. I hope.

But what does this mean? Is he giving me a goodbye gift? Or asking for forgiveness?

Does it matter?

Searching my soul, I already know the answer because it’s always been him, and I’ve been waiting for this since he iced me out so long ago, but I don’t know if we can get past everything—the cruelty and the lies.

I guess I won’t know if I don’t try, though.

Pulling up his number with shaky fingers, I type out a text and hold my breath, but he doesn’t answer right away, and I head back to my dorm.

Thank you. This means more than you can ever know.

Chapter Thirty-Five

Forgiveness is a double-edged sword.

Idon’t hear back from Griffin, and sadly I acknowledge that this was his goodbye, and maybe it’s for the best because he’s an integral part of the past I’m trying to move on from.

Try telling that to my aching, empty heart, though.

The lawyer assured me I have a good case, and not only did he file an injunction but also a restraining order.

Jason Macklemore is about to get served.

There’s no victory in it, though, because he’s a douche canoe who doesn’t even understand that what he did was wrong, and his friends? They’re still out there, oblivious to the consequences of their actions.

Maybe if I had been stronger, I could have reported it and pressed charges, but I’m not in a place to face the censure, and I feel like I’ve been through enough.

Is that selfish? I don’t know, but maybe I get to be selfish for a while.

The semester passes quickly after that, and I finish out my classes grimly, mourning my losses even when I should be celebrating my victory because Jason agreed to turn over the videos and stay far away from me. It’s not enough, but it will have to be.

Since moving out of Griffin’s, I’ve created new friendships and made the best of the last of the year, although it hasn’t been all fun and games. I can’t get Griffin out of my head, which I guess is to be expected, because with everything that went down, my past haunts me now more than ever.

Although I guess I can call it a win that I finally got my period and put to rest any worries about an unplanned pregnancy.

And I’m trying—even Dr. Marks says he’s seen improvement, and that’s all I can ask for because maybe I will never be that girl again who took her safety for granted, but I might just find my way into someone new and perhaps be even better for it. Maybe…

I’m packing up for summer vacation, and my roommate is already gone when I hear from Max for the first time in weeks. We’ve avoided any types of conversations that didn’t involve our parents, and I don’t know what, if anything, happened with Patch.

Frankly, I’ve wondered since Griffin’s revelation about Max being behind the lies if all this wasn’t a game to keep us apart, which is tragic because Griffin and I don’t need help in that department. Nope, we fucked it up royally just fine ourselves.

“What?” I say hesitantly because I’m no longer interested in what he has to say.

Not only did he ruin my world over jealousy, but he put me in a dangerous situation and still doesn’t understand the impact it had. I’ve spent years trying to understand why Griffin backed away and, in the end, it was all due to secrets and fucking lies. Yeah, I’ve definitely got a bit of bitterness going on.

“Hals,” he sobs.

Dropping my shirt, I sag on the bed. “What? What’s wrong?”

“I fucked up, and I’m sorry,” he whispers.

“Max…”

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