Page 113 of Trapped With You

I…I don’t remember dropping it.

But I guess I did, and someone stepped on it in the dark.

The screen was completely cracked. It wouldn’t even turn on.

Oh, well. A broken phone could be replaced within a day.

A broken pride?

Unlikely.

I hauled myself into my car and threw my smashed phone into the cupholder.

Then I turned on the ignition, shifted into drive, and gunned it out of the Remington estate.

The last thing I saw in my rearview mirror was Cade, stumbling after me, calling out my name.

C H A P T E R2 3

The Aftermath

Cade

The Past - 3 months ago

“Stay the fuck away from me, you piece of shit! We. Are. Fucking. Done!”

“Get away from me!”

“Don’t touch me! Don’t ever fucking touch me again, you filthy two-timing scum!”

Those horrendous words taunted me, piercing through my chest and birthing a large void that made it hard to breathe. The venom in them sank into my muscles like poison and I choked on every syllable.

I had to tell Ella the truth.

She had to take back what she said.

She didn’t mean it.

Shecouldn’t.

“Ella,” I called again, my voice low and slurred. I pursued her as fast as I could, but the liquor in my system slowed me down and my pace was sluggish.

Ella had to hear me out.

She had to understand that what happened in the room was a mistake.

Ella, I thought it was you I was holding, touching, kissing. I only ever want to hold, touch, kiss you. And the second I realized it wasn’t you, I was revolted. It was a mistake. Anhonest to God mistake. You texted me to meet you there. I came for you, Ella. I love you, Ella. Please don’t leave me, Ella.

My girlfriend disappeared in an ocean of silhouettes, each one doubling and faded at the edges. I stumbled after her. The air she left behind reeked of anger, dejectedness, embarrassment, and heartbreak. Every emotion that had no business occupying her beautiful self.

My head spun. Past the hazy fog clouding my senses, I think I saw people gawking, laughing, and filming the entire scene. I think I also heard the distinct sound of one of my friends hollering my name.

I kept pushing my limbs to move quicker, despite the suffocating environment. No matter how hard I inhaled, I couldn’t get enough oxygen.

Fuck, I didn’t recall drinking this much. I usually…had a good tolerance. Nor did I go above my limits.

Why…Why am I feeling like this?