Page 36

My eyes go wide, remembering that day in perfect detail. Knowing she witnessed something so intimate has my stomach souring.

“So that day, when I told her I was done for good, I got a video sent to my phone. You can’t see me, only you.” Cash’s hand cups mine, and he squeezes it gently.

I swallow roughly. “She blackmailed you into staying with her...”

“Basically, she said the first people she’d send it to would be our parents. Then she’d send it across campus, ruining your reputation and your chances at internships or jobs. Her unhinged need to control our relationship had me scared to test if she was bluffing or not.”

I stand up abruptly, processing everything he’s saying. I thought I hated her before, but now, I don’t just hate her, I pity her. What kind of person does that to someone?

“The last six months, I’ve done everything I could to make her not like me without pissing her off so much she sends it around out of spite. So, the other night when she broke it off, I was relieved, thinking she was finally over this game she’s playing.”

My stomach sours at the fact that, not only does she have permanent access to something so intimate between Cash and me, but also that she has used me as some kind of bargaining chip or pawn.

He stands up in front of me, grabbing my hands, and I allow him to this time.

“I’m not sure why she’s this way with me; it’s like I’m a competition she can’t stand to lose.

I don’t even think she wants me anymore.

It’s just become an obsession. So tonight, when I saw her at the game, my hackles immediately went up, and when I checked my phone afterwards, she had sent me a screenshot of you on your knees, covered in cum. ”

“Are you fucking kidding me? She’s sick… This is crazy, Cash.”

Cash pulls me into a hug and whispers, “I know…I’m so sorry. It killed me to do that to you, but I would never want that to come back on you. Hell, I’d never want anyone else to even see you like that.”

I squeeze him tightly, struggling to make sense of this all. “So she had the video this whole time?”

He nods, and my anger with him simmers completely, turning into a raging boil I want to throw at Tori.

That bitch is unbelievable. But the idea forming in my head is going to make her wish she’d never threatened Cash or me. I take a deep breath in, trying to control all the anger I’m feeling toward her.

Cash grabs my chin, and the softness in his eyes calms my soul, like it always does.

“Do you believe me? I would never hurt you like that. Prior to that video, at any point during my relationship with Tori, had you come to me and told me you wanted to be together, I would’ve broken up with her, no questions asked.

I know that’s so fucked, but it’s true.”

My green eyes bore into his. “I believe you.” And I genuinely do. He’s always been the one willing to sacrifice it all for me. But what Tori won’t see coming is the newest player in her little game.

Me.

“Do you know her class schedule?”

His eyebrows pinch. “Yes, well most of it, why?”

A mischievous grin takes over my face. “Because I know exactly how to make her get rid of that video, but I need my own evidence.”

“What do you mean, evidence?” Cash’s eyebrows pinch together with his question.

“So, I’m not for certain, but I saw her coming out of one of my professors’ offices very…disheveled.”

His eyes widen at that. “Like, you think she’s fucking a professor?”

I nod slowly, trying to assess whether this bothers him or not, before I continue.

“I’m sorry, Cash…” I start, but he holds his hand up, and now he’s the one with the mischievous smirk.

“No, no, this is amazing news. If you really think that’s true and we can prove it, then we can make her delete the video of us.”

“Exactly. But this is not a ‘we’ thing. It would be way too suspicious to have you in the psychology building. And we don’t want her on to us.”

Gaze narrowing, he tilts his head. “I don’t like you doing this alone.”

I run my palms down his arms, reassuring him. “Cash, it's not like I’m in any danger. Think about it, it makes the most sense for me because I’m in that building all the time.”

“Okay.” He nods slowly, hesitantly, but I can see the hope as it takes over his face when he realizes this plan could truly all work out.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner,” I say, intertwining my pinky with his.

“How long have you suspected?”

I look down sheepishly. “Since before we went to Georgia, but I was worried you would think that night in the hotel was only because of that.”

He lifts my head up, and I’m met with him grinning at the memory. “I’m not mad, Bella, but I wouldn’t have thought that. There was no denying that night was from years of pent-up sexual and emotional tension.”

I bite my lip, my core clenching with desire and longing for him. “Wanna work some more of that out right now?”

Without wasting a second, he picks me up and tosses me on the bed. “I’ll give you whatever you need, Bella.”

I love this man, and I’ll do anything to keep her away from him, even if it means sacrificing myself.