Chapter 2

CALLIE

I laugh.

A broken, hysterical laugh rips out of my throat. “Three years,” I hiss, my hands trembling. “You stole my time, my money…my best friend.” I yank my pants up as if it could somehow restore my dignity. “For three years.”

Heat flushes through my body. I grab Trent’s collar, suddenly feeling weak in the knees, but it doesn’t stop my outburst. “You know what, Trent? I don’t give a fuck anymore. Cheat, lie, gamble, I don’t care”

His face darkens.

“Just give me my money.” My voice cracks. “Then you and your slut can get the hell out of my life. That’s what you want, right?” I tighten my hold on his collar, “give it back and you can leave!”

He pushes me so hard, I crash right into the dining chairs.

“The fuck is your problem, woman?” He smoothens his crumbled collar while pain shoots through every nerve of me. “I told you your money is gone! Quit crying and stop making a scene in front of Brittany.”

“Are you embarrassed she’s going to see your true pathetic self?” I sit there on the ground, tears spilling down my cheeks as I yell.

My stomach twists as I think of the rent, the betrayal, and the mess I can’t fix. “Did you brag about taking care of all her expenses even when you can’t afford your own meal for a day?!”

“Shut your trap!”

“I won’t!” I scream like a crazy woman. “I won’t shut it, Trent.” I jump to my feet. “I don’t know how you’re going to do it, but cough out my money right now.”

“He says he doesn’t have it.” Brittany’s venomous voice sends anger coursing through my veins. “If you weren’t so sick in the head, you wouldn’t give him your pin in the first place. Stop crying over spilled milk and allow everyone to get some sleep!”

“Brittany?” I choke.

“What?” She snaps back, “look, I’m not even sorry you found me here. Keeping our relationship a secret for three years sucks. I’m glad you finally found out.”

“Brittany! This is Trent,” I point at him and laugh. “He gambles, smokes as hell, gets drunk several days a week, and you’re choosing your best friend over him?”

“Do you think I care?”

Trent is quick to stand between us, placing one palm on Brittany’s chest, and the other on my chest.

While I slap his palm away, he gives me one shocking revelation that makes me crumble.

“Callie… I… I have to tell you something.” His voice falters. “Brittany…She's six weeks pregnant, and I’m… moving out with her.”

My face crumbles.

I’m not sad that this leech is leaving.

But Brittany’s pregnant.

And they’re walking out with my rent in their pockets

“No!” I run toward the door and press myself against it. “No one’s leaving until I get my money.”

I can’t lose everything. I can’t. If Trent and Brittany walk out of here triumphantly, I’ll go insane.

“You think we need your approval before we walk out?” Brittany chuckles darkly.

She bends slowly, picks up her limited edition Chanel purse, her thong, and smiles at Trent. “Let’s go, I’ll make sure you get a job at my dad’s company, then you can pay that bitch whenever you want to.”

“No. We don’t have to pay her,” Trent wraps his arm around Brittany’s waist, kissing her neck and ears, and my stomach flips painfully.

It isn’t supposed to hurt.

A silly scene like this shouldn’t make my lungs constrict painfully, but it does.

“Callie will take care of it. We don’t have to pay her back,” he grabs Brittany’s wrist, and they start to approach me. His face twists into a scowl. “Move.”

I shake my head. “No!”

“Move now, Callie. I know you’re not used to embarrassing yourself like this.”

“Trent, what happens to me? Landon will kick me out.” I choke out a sob, unable to take it anymore. “I can’t raise a thousand dollars in one day. Why would you do this to me?”

Brittany smirks, a mocking look in her eyes. “Too righteous to be a stripper? I guess your twin isn’t finding it so hard to survive since she’s doing what’s right.”

“Leave my sister out of this.”

“Or what? Working as a server in a downtown restaurant isn’t going to give you the life you need, honey.” She brushes my shoulder, then she leans in, whispering into my ears. “Tell your sister to show you how the real world works. I’m sure you’ve learned your lesson now.”

I can barely move when she unlocks the door and walks away with Trent.

Their laughter booms in the hallway, and I tighten my grip on my sleeves, trying hard not to break down, but I do anyway.

I remain there, pressed to the wall like a shitty wallpaper, until everywhere becomes bright.

I’m late for work.

I’m due for my rent.

Trent cheated on me.

And Brittany broke me in two.

What else am I living for?

A sharp knock on my door makes my stomach feel rock hard. Beads of sweat start to form on my forehead, and just when I thought I can pretend I’m not home, Landon’s all knowing voice pierces through me.

“You can move in here, Mr. Hale. I’m sure Callie can’t pay her rent, she’s moving out this morning.”

“But her door is locked,” a gruff voice follows with a slight hint of anger. “How do I move in while the freaking door is still locked?”

“Calm down, Mr. Hale,” Landon laughs. “Be assured, I’ve got the spare key.”

A sharp gasp escapes me.

No, no, no.

This can’t be happening.