My phone vibrates itself off my desk later that night.
I tossed it there when I threw myself down after getting back from Gemma’s house. Alec met me at the door and wouldn’t let me in to plead my case.
I pull one of my earbuds free, disrupting the music drowning out my thoughts as I sketch. Lancelot is curled up on the bench seat beneath the window.
None of it has been good, anyway. My head’s too full of Gemma to focus on drawing concepts. I’m used to being naturally gifted with throwing a ball. My hands have never let me down like this before. It’s scary to think I can have days so bad I can’t draw.
Bending down to pick up the phone, I find a slew of missed texts. At first my heart jumps. But it’s not Gemma. It’s my cousin.
The last text catches my eye.
Devlin: This might be a problem.
Attached is a link to Instagram. Marissa’s account. Wary, I open it.
It’s a video post. I clench the phone in my grip so hard it might break.
The video shows a clip of a stupid mistake I made with Marissa when I thought I loved her.
We recorded ourselves once. A freaking sex tape. It was her idea.
In the clip, Marissa giggles as I kiss down her belly. I’m tagged in the post. Jesus. I scrub my face and read the caption.
@MightyRissa: Got my man back, bitches. [Lips emoji]
It’s not the full video, thank fuck.
I’m dialing Marissa’s number before I even process my dumbfounded anger.
She picks up on the second ring.
“Hey, babe.” There’s a sly smile in her voice. “Ready to grovel for that shit you pulled earlier? It’s going to cost you.”
I need to grovel, but it’s not Marissa’s mercy and forgiveness I need to earn.
“Marissa,” I bark. “Cut the shit.”
“You brought it on yourself for how you left me in the dust today!” She grumbles on the line. “I can’t believe you’d chase after some nobody slut when I was standing—”
“Marissa, that’s enough! Knock it off.”
A vein pulses in my temple and I get up to stalk the length of my room in an agitated pace.
“You went too fucking far. I am not your boyfriend anymore. You decided that. You wanted a break. Posting this to make it look like we got back together is the most ridiculous shit you’ve ever done.”
“Lucas—”
“No! I’m done, Marissa. I’m fucking finished! Don’t test me again, or I’ll rain hell on you so hard your reputation will be destroyed at school. Bishop’s collects everyone’s dirty secrets and I won’t hesitate to unleash yours to him with the order to put you on blast.”
“Jesus, Lucas. What is your deal?”
“My deal is that I’m over playing this game with you. We’ve been done for a while. Whatever feelings I once had for you are gone. I thought we were friends, but you went and screwed that over, too.”
I don’t tell her she probably fucked me big time with explaining to Gemma. Marissa’s actions in school were enough to make Gemma believe I was lying.
Marissa starts to speak, but I hang up and set her number to do not disturb so she can’t bother me. I sink to my bed and hang my head between my hands.
E