Page 66 of Worship

“Gretchen!” I roar, and she spins around.

I’m grabbing at threads; the moment I looked into her eyes in that room, I knew I’d already lost her.

“Do you think you can bully me? Treat me like Shelby? I’m not your whore anymore,” she bites back, wholly unafraid of me.

“Shit gets tough and you run?” I accuse, shaking my head.

“I’m not running, I’m waking the fuck up!” Her voice is filled with hate, and her words feel like knives cutting my flesh.

I hate her for saving herself from me, for leaving me.I may as well play the role given, Angel.

I take a few steady steps toward her, pushing my hands into my pockets.

“You know what? You’re right, Gretchen. You aren’t my whore, and you sure as hell aren’t the woman I thought you were.” I lean down to her ear and whisper, “You, Angel, are a legacy… Like mother, like daughter.”

Her eyes shoot to my face, glistening, as I pull back. I’ve done the one thing I swore I wouldn’t do and that’s lie to her. She’s nothing like her mother, but I want her to hurt, to make her bleed as much as she’s making me. Fuck an eye for an eye; I’m taking a heart for a heart.

Gretchen wipes one stray tear, and her face stills with a confident calm.

“You deserve her because a man this cruel could never have a heart. I hate you for stealing my heart and tearing it apart.”

She turns and runs down the hall. I should chase her, plead, beg. I should tell her everything and pray that she forgives me. But I don’t because everyone lies.

Gretchen saidalways, but she didn’t mean it.

Present Day

“THAT’S SO FUNNY,MICHAEL, YOU’REhilarious,” my friend Blair laughs. “I can’t believe Gretchen has kept you hidden for so long.”

I smile politely at the meaningless joke, but I don’t want to laugh along. I should be happy. Why am I not happy?I know why.

Butthe voice in my head is so loud that I’m scared everyone will hear it. I’m a terrible, awful fucking person.

I’m here at a party to celebrate the pregnancy of my very best friend, Drew Matthews and her soul mate, Dominic King. But all I can think about isthatnight. The one that makes me unable to catch my breath withhimbeing in the same room.

“You must be her dirty little secret.”

My spine stiffens at the sound of his voice.

“It’s a pleasure to see you again, Gretchen.” Luca’s hand moves to the small of my back as he leans in to kiss my cheek, sending heat through my body. “You remember my wife, Shelby.”

He motions to her, and she smiles coldly with narrowed eyes on me, or maybe that’s my conscience.

I nod hello, knowing all too well who she is. I hate her, and for no other reason than my own disgusting jealousy.

“It’s wonderful to see you again, Gretchen.”

The sound of Shelby’s voice makes bile rise in my throat again, bringing with it the memory of the last time I saw her. “What’s it been? Two months now?”

Luca’s eyes are fixed on me; he’s looking for my reaction. Too bad he won’t get one.

I cut my eyes to her, unwilling to play her game.

“Something like that. But I really only saw the back of your head, so I’m not sure it counts.”

The group falls silent, uncomfortable with the clear mutual dislike passing between me and Shelby. Her face screws into a hateful look as I smirk.Bring it, bitch.

Michael’s hand squeezes mine, and I regret having put him in this situation.I need a moment.“Ladies’ room. I’ll be back.”