“What else? Tell me,” I demanded.
“No really. It’s just pictures mostly, but they rate you. ”
“Rate me how. ”
“Based on hotness. ”
I typed a description into the search engine as hundreds of disgustingly named websites turned up. I added “athlete” into my search and bingo. I clicked on the first link listed and my name appeared, along with four recent pictures of me. There was a description that stated Jack and I met back in college but broke up for a brief time before getting back together after he was traded. A paragraph described what I did for work, but didn’t mention where.
Thank God.
A rating scale of one to ten stars waited at the end of the post to be voted on. Underneath the star rating, mine currently sat at six, by the way, was a comment section.
“I found the website,” I breathed into the phone.
“Oh God. No. Cass. Don’t,” she pleaded through the phone.
I clicked on the Comment link as my stomach turned.
“I heard she cheats on Jack every time he’s out of town with that Matteo guy. Maybe someone needs to help Jack get back at her. I volunteer. ”
“I saw her making out with that guy who’s always with her at the games. I would have taken a picture, but I didn’t have my phone with me. Next time. ”
“My friend went to school with her in California and said she was a bitch to everyone there and no one liked her. ”
“I thought baseball players were supposed to have hot girlfriends. Where’d he find this one—she’s disgusting. And she should probably go on a diet. ”
“Hello? Cassie?”
“I’m here. ” I sniffed.
“Do we have to go through these one by one? Obviously you don’t cheat on Jack when he’s away. You were not making out with your super-hot driver, but if you’d let me I totally would. You were not a bitch to anyone who didn’t deserve it in college, and you’re not fat or ugly. These are all jealous girls who all think they want what you have. ”
My eyes filled with tears as I asked my best friend, “What do I do?”
“You’ve got to stop reading it. Right now,” she insisted, and I clicked the small red X at the top of the screen, closing the page. “And I’ll stop telling you anything anyone is saying. None of it matters anyway, and it’s tearing you apart. ”
I nodded, knowing she couldn’t see me. “You have to help. ”
Melissa was right. These posts and judgments wrecked me. I tried to not care and be stronger, but it was hard when it was constantly shoved in your face. And it was even harder when the things posted were blatant lies.
“I will. No more texts or picture messages, OK? I promise. You’ll feel a million times better once you stop reading the things they’re posting. ”
“I can do that,” I said, obviously trying to convince us both.
“I know it’s hard to stay away, but trust me, you’ll be better off. ”
“Thanks, Meli. ” My phone beeped and I pulled it from my face, staring at the screen. “Hey, I have to go. Jack’s calling on the other line. ”
“Alright. Talk to you later. Love you!” she shouted before I clicked over.
“Hi, babe,” I answered.
“Kitten. ” His voice purred into my ear. “I miss you. ”
I released a breath. “I miss you too. How was the game today?”
“Eh, we lost. They outhit us. ”