All Chapters of The Goodbye He Never Saw Coming : Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

WINTER Nath's lips are on mine before I can catch my breath, which is probably for the best because if I had time to think, I'd remember that I'm a professional liar about to once again sleep with a man who thinks I'm his actual fiancée. But apparently, my brain has decided that moral dilemmas can wait until after orgasms, so here we are. We're kissing like we're in a music video nobody asked for, stumbling toward the bed without breaking apart, which is impressive considering my coordination peaked somewhere around 2019. His hands are everywhere, and my body is on fire. We make love slowly, tenderly, like we have all the time in the world—which is hilarious considering I'm one confession away from this man either forgiving me or tossing me back into the pool where this nightmare started. But sure, let's ignore the fact that I'm a fraud wrapped in hotel sheets and bad decisions, and pretend this isn't the romantic equivalent of a Jenga tower about to collapse. When it's over,

WINTER The emcee continues, "First, we're going to divide everyone into two groups. Each of you will toss a coin. Heads will go to Group A, and tails will go to Group B." 'Oh great. More random chance to ruin my day.' "I don't like the direction this is going," I mutter under my breath. "Why? It's exciting," Treasure replies. "I love suspense." 'Of course you do. You're 19 and don't have a fake amnesia story to maintain.' When Nath tosses his coin, it lands on heads. He moves to Group A. 'Please let me get heads. Please, please, please.' I toss my coin, watching it flip through the air in what feels like slow motion. It lands. Tails. 'Of course. Because why would anything go my way today?' I move to Group B, watching Mike toss his coin. Heads. He goes to Group A with Nath. 'Great. Those two are together, and I'm stuck over here.' Treasure tosses next. Tails. She joins me in Group B, which is at least some consolation. Olivia gets tails too and ends up in G

WINTER "NO!" Olivia screams, spinning around so fast she almost falls over. "You bastard! We were on the same team!" "Sorry," Mike says, not sounding even remotely sorry. "Wrong place, wrong time." Protein Shake Guy looks furious, his face turning the color of a tomato that's been left in the sun too long. "Dude! That's your girlfriend!" "Just a friend," Mike corrects, already backing away. "And she was slowing everyone down anyway." Olivia's face goes through about seventeen different emotions in three seconds, including shock, betrayal, rage, then something that might be hurt before settling back on rage. "You eliminated me for HER?" she shrieks, pointing at me like I'm responsible for this disaster. "Are you INSANE?" "I'm helping Winter win," Mike says simply, like this explains everything. "That's what partners do." 'Oh my God. He just threw Olivia under the bus. For me. To prove some deranged point about being my partner.' 'This man needs therapy. Like, serious,

WINTER My brain short-circuits. I can't process what I just heard. It doesn't make sense. It can't make sense. He's giving me 100 points. One hundred. The crowd is cheering, but I can barely hear them over the roaring in my ears. "Oh my God," I breathe, my voice barely a whisper. "You're giving me all your points?" This is insane. This is actually insane. I came here with nothing and now I have 100 points for today? "Of course," Nath says, like it's the most obvious thing in the world. "Come here." I walk toward him on legs that feel like they're made of jelly and poor life choices. The crowd parts for me. People are clapping, smiling, congratulating me. Mike is standing off to the side, his face a mask of shock and fury. Yeah. Sucks, doesn't it? When I reach Nath, he pulls me into his arms, hugging me tight. "Congratulations," he whispers against my hair. "You got the prize. Just like you deserve." Deserve. He keeps using that word. I'm not sure he knows wh

NATH "Don't do this," I say to Treasure, my voice firm. "Please don't do this." She takes a step back and reaches for the zipper of her top. She begins to undo it slowly. "Don't worry. You'll change your mind once you see what I have in store for you." "Enough!" I yell, stopping her. "Do not take off your clothes, Treasure. I sincerely cannot believe this. How can you betray Winter like this?" "Why are we going around in circles?" Treasure asks. "This is simple—either give me what I want, or you don't and face the consequences." I nod, my jaw tight. "Fine. Since you've made it clear, I'll take my chances with the truth. I absolutely detest people like you, Treasure, and I'm highly disappointed in you. Take note of this—I would never, ever betray Winter for anyone. I'd rather go right now and tell her the truth than have anything to do with you. Maybe then she'll realize how much of a snake you are." I turn, yank open the door, and start to walk out. But then I hear clappi