Wrong Girl (23 page)

“Sweetheart,
what’s wrong? Let me help you.” He begs, tugging me back into his arms.

“Look,
I’m tired. Let’s just go to sleep, ok?”

“You
sure? You don’t want to talk about anything?” He asks uncertainly.

“I’m
sure. Come on.”

I’m
still awake one hour later. I’m sure Zack fell asleep ages ago, I can hear the
deep sound of his breathing and I find myself being envious of him. Why do I
have to be the one who’s still awake? Of course I know the real reason why…
what Zack did to make me freak out is the cause of my distress and insomnia.

Groaning
loudly, I pad across the bedroom to my overnight bag. I already predicted that
I wouldn’t be able to sleep and thankfully packed some light sleeping pills in
with my belongings. I quietly pop a couple of pills out of the packet and make
my way into the bathroom to get a glass of water. I try to avoid looking into
the huge mirror right in front of me, not wanting to acknowledge my haunted
reflection.

Switching
the bathroom light off, I creep back over towards the bed. I’m just about to
peel back the covers when I notice a flashing light over in the corner of the
room.

My
phone.

Curiosity
gets the better of me as I scurry back over to my bag which rests on the table.
Reaching for my phone, I try to conceal the glare from the screen so it won’t
accidentally wake Zack. My eyes squint in the darkness, recognising my sister’s
name next to the notification that I have a new message.

My
mind instantly thinks of the worst scenario, that someone knows we’re here.
Rachel has found out and knows exactly what we just did. Realistically, I know
the idea is ludicrous, how
could
she know? It’s impossible.  

Regardless
of my fears and trepidation, I know I won’t rest until I read it. Opening the
unread message, I prepare myself for the worst.

Rachel: Hi, Sis.
Hope you and Jason are having a great night. Can’t wait for you to come back
and tell me all about your great weekend. Feeling kind of lonely tonight with
Zack not being here and my little sis. See you soon, Rachel xxx

I
stare at my phone for several minutes, unable to think of anything but the
excruciating pain inside my chest. Guilt. Guilt that’s ugly, black, cruel and
relentless, gnawing away at my soul and my conscience. I know it will eat me
up, consume me until there’s nothing left.

I
reluctantly climb into bed, making sure to keep plenty of space between me and
Zack. He sleeps soundly whilst I cry softly into my pillow, grieving for the
sister I’ve just lost. Even if she never finds out about my betrayal, I will
always know. I’m going to have to live with this for the rest of my life and
the most tragic part of all this is I would do it again. I have fallen for my
sister’s fiancé, a man who can never be mine. A man I’m going to have to
associate with forever, someone who will always be in reach… eternally unobtainable.

I’ve
destroyed everything. Everything is ruined and there’s nothing I can do about
it. I’m broken, damaged goods and tarnished forever.

That’s
just the way it is…

Chapter Eleven

I
sneak out the next morning before Zack wakes up. I know I promised him I
wouldn’t but I really don’t want to deal with the whole goodbye thing. It’s
only going to cause more heartache and I don’t think I could take much more.
I’m so close to the edge, I’m practically teetering on it. I could lose my
balance any second, I could tumble and fall, plunging to my death.

I
don’t know how I do it but I manage to escape the hotel room without stirring
Zack. I do allow myself one last look at him before I leave, observing his
indisputable perfection for one last time.

The
door closes behind me, a near silent click announcing my exit. I phone a taxi
as soon as I’m in reception, hoping it will arrive before my departure is
noticed. Thankfully it does and I spend the journey hope in deep contemplation
about everything that happened last night.

I
did it. I really did it. I slept with Zack and my decision to do so is
something I can never change. He’s going to move forward, put all of this
behind him and marry my extraordinarily beautiful sister in August. I, on the
other hand will probably spend the rest of my life yearning for a man I can
never have. A man I will get to see from afar but never belong to.

I’ve
only been in my apartment a few minutes when my phone starts to ring. I reluctantly
wander over towards it, reaching inside my bag.

Zack.

He’s
calling me and the last thing I want to do is to talk to him right now. Why is
he even phoning me? We both decided that we would only be together for one
night. That night is over and yet he’s now calling me, what the hell is he
playing at?

“Hello?”
I answer brusquely, hoping to keep the evidence of my tumultuous emotions from
him.

“Where
are you? Where did you go?” He demands angrily.

I
can almost picture him pacing back and forth in frustration, gripping his phone
in his hand as he tugs his fingers through his hair.

“I’m
at home, where do you think I am?”

“How
the fuck would I know? I just woke up and found you gone. Why wouldn’t you wake
me? Why didn’t you say goodbye?”

“I
couldn’t. I just thought it would be easier for me to leave early.”

“Easier
for who?” He says contemptuously.

“For
both of us.” I sigh wearily, rubbing my forehead.

“And
you didn’t think I’d want to see you or say goodbye?”

“Not
really. We were only supposed to be together for one night.” I mumble,
reminding him about our arrangement.

“I
do remember. I’m just pissed off you chose to sneak out so early. I didn’t even
get a fucking note.”

“Zack,
I can’t do this right now. Jason’s coming over any minute.” I lie, needing an
excuse to get him off the phone.

“So
you ran out on me to go to him? You’re not satisfied with the fucking I gave
you last night, you now need someone else’s dick inside you?”

I
hang up before he can say anything else, disgusted and appalled by what he just
said to me. He tries to ring me back, calling over and over again. I ignore him
and eventually switch my phone off, spending the rest of the day cooped up in
my apartment, half watching a couple of movies on Netflix.

Jason
comes over after five, eager to find out how my supposed weekend with Rachel
went. Of course I have no choice but to lie to him, certain that I’ll go
straight to hell for my deceit and despicable behaviour.

We’re
halfway through ‘The Strangers’ on Netflix when my landline phone starts to
ring. Jason’s the closest one to it and automatically answers for me.

“Hello?”
He pauses for a second whilst the person on the other end speaks. “Hiya, Rach.
You ok? Enjoy your night out last night?”

I
stare at him in horror. He’s going to ruin everything, he’s inadvertently going
to uncover my secret. Rachel thinks I spent last night with Jason and Jason
thinks I spent the night with Rachel. How the fuck am I going to explain any of
this?

I
make a grab for the phone, taking the cordless into the kitchen with me so I
can speak to my sister in private.

“Hi,
Rachel. Sorry about my nosy friend answering my phone.”

“No
worries, it was good to speak to him, I haven’t seen him in ages and that’s one
of the reasons why I called.”

“Oh?”
I ask warily, dreading what she’s about to say.

“Yeah,
Zack and I were just talking and he came up with the great suggestion that we
go out on a double date with you and Jason. Well, he didn’t exactly call it a
double date but he did suggest the four of us going out tonight. I know you and
Jason already did something yesterday but you don’t mind joining us, do you?”

“Erm…”
I nervously glance through into the living room at Jason. He’s still on the
sofa, blissfully unaware of the disastrous dilemma I have to face.

“Please
say yes. I haven’t seen you all week. It will only be for a couple of hours.”

“What’s
she suggesting?” Jason asks, startling me by coming into the kitchen.

“That
we go out! The four of us! Rachel yells, raising her voice so Jason can hear.

“Tell
her yes.”

“Jason,
I really don’t want to go out tonight.” I whisper, covering the phone so Rachel
won’t overhear.

“Stop
being such a bore. We can go out with your sister for a couple of hours.” He
says it so casual, shrugging his shoulders as though it’s no big deal.

“Exactly!”
Rachel chimes in, adding to the troublesome three-way conversation that we’re
now having.

“Great,
sorted and arranged!” Jason yells back, confirming the fact that my worst
nightmare has now come true.

Jason
heads home to get changed as soon as I end the call and I’m left alone in my
apartment, slowly going out of my mind with anxiety and worry. It takes me an
hour but I eventually come up with the idea to be honest. Not completely honest
but somewhat truthful.

I
quickly jump in the shower and get dressed. Choosing a short black skirt and a
turquoise top, I then find a pair of black heels to go with it. I don’t know
where we’re going but knowing Rachel, it’s bound to be somewhere nice.

“You
look amazing.” Jason tells me as soon as he gets back, his eyes wandering up
and down my body.

“Thanks.”
I mumble self-consciously, putting on my jacket.

I’m
not sure I appreciate the way my oldest friend is suddenly looking at me. It’s
as though he finds me attractive and the knowledge of this is oddly disconcerting.

“Are
we meeting them there or are they coming here?” Jason asks, helping me untuck
my hair from the collar of my jacket.

“Meeting
them there.” I reply curtly, fearing the next few hours more than I’ve feared
anything in my life.

Rachel
texted me as soon as Jason left to go and get changed, letting me know where to
meet her and Zack. All that’s left to do is phone a taxi to take us to the
restaurant. Jason does have his own car but I know he’ll want a drink tonight
and it’s just easier for us to get a cab there and back.

It’s
when we’re in the taxi that I decide to confess part of the truth about last
night to Jason.

“Listen,
I can’t have you mentioning anything about last night to Rachel, ok?”

“What
do you mean? Why?” He asks, turning to me in confusion.

“Because
I didn’t spend the evening with her, I just told you I did. I actually had a
date. I guess you could say that I spent the night with someone.”

“Are
you serious?” His mouth hangs open in astonishment, clearly astonished by my
revelation. “You had sex? Who with?” He snaps, already starting with the
interrogation.

“Can
you please keep your voice down? I don’t want the whole world and our taxi
driver to know my private business.”

“Sorry.
It’s just that I can’t even believe what you’re telling me right now. I’ve
never known you to do anything like this before. You’re not the type of girl
who has one night stands. You’re better than that.”

“It
wasn’t a one night stand. I mean… I wish it could be more but it really can’t.”

“Who
is he?” He demands, narrowing his dark eyes at me.

“You
don’t know him.” I reply quietly, gazing out of the window.

“But
how do
you
know him?” He persists, gently touching my chin as he turns
me to face him.

“Through
work. He’s Audrey’s nephew.” I lie, unable to think of anyone else.

“Audrey?
You mean your boss?”

“Yes.”

“So
why did you lie to me? Why didn’t you tell me the truth?”

“I
didn’t want you to judge me and nothing is going to come from it. That’s why I
lied to you and said I was spending the night with Rachel.”

“And
you lied to her as well?”

“Yes.
I know it was really wrong of me but please don’t say anything to my sister. If
she asks you anything just say that you and I hung out last night. She thinks
we stayed at a hotel.” I confess, wringing my fingers together.

“A
hotel? Is that where you went with him?”

“Yes.”

“Which
hotel?”

“What
does that matter?”

“I’m
just curious.” He replies coolly.

“We
only stayed somewhere because he has a girlfriend. He’s in a relationship and
that’s why nothing will ever come from it.”

“Fuck,
Samantha. Why would you get involved with someone like that? Someone who will
use you and then discard you afterwards.”

“I
really don’t want to talk about this, Jason. We’re nearly at the restaurant and
I don’t want there to be an awkward atmosphere between us.” I say decidedly.

“Fine
I’ll drop this for now but I still have more questions.”

“We’ll
talk about it later.” I speak firmly, needing him to know that this topic is
strictly off limits as from now.

“We
definitely will.”

I
make my way into the restaurant on shaky legs. I don’t know if Zack and Rachel
are here already and that’s why I’m so nervous walking through the door. I have
no idea what Zack is playing at, suggesting a night out with me and Jason. Is
this all part of some twisted game of his? Is he laughing his head off at my
expense? Is he simply jealous of the fact that he knew I was hanging out with
Jason and wanted to interrupt our plans? What the hell is his game?

I
spot Rachel as soon as we walk in. She’s in one of the booths with Zack sitting
right beside her. He glowers at me as soon as he notices me walk in with Jason,
narrowing his eyes in what I can only describe as absolute fury and envy.

“Hi,
guys! Hurry up and take a seat. Sam, you look absolutely gorgeous!” My sister
compliments me warmly, standing up to greet me with a hug.

“Thanks,
you look beautiful.” I reply truthfully, taking in her strapless white dress.
It clings to her elegant curves, accentuating her toned waist, tiny hips and
golden tan.

“Jason,
it’s been so long. How have you been?” Rachel leans over the table to give him
a brief hug whilst Zack continues to shoot daggers at me.

One
of his fists is concealed underneath the table but the other one is resting on
the surface, clenched so tightly his knuckles have turned white.

“I’ve
been good. You look gorgeous, as per usual.” He places a friendly kiss on
Rachel’s cheek, resting a hand on her lower back.

I
wait for Zack’s gaze to land on them, almost expecting him to jump up onto his
feet so he can put some distance between them. I’ve figured out how territorial
Zack must be and don’t know how he’ll react to another man complimenting his
fiancé, borderline flirting with her. Instead, he continues to watch me,
refusing to remove his angry stare from my crimson and embarrassed face.

“This
is my fiancé, Zack. Zack this is Sam’s best friend, Jason.” Rachel beams at
Zack, her eyes sparkling with happiness and adoration.

Zack
remains seated, rudely choosing not to acknowledge Jason’s presence.

“What’s
up? It’s great to meet you.” Jason offers his hand out for him to shake and I
wait with bated breath, wondering what explanation Zack will give for ignoring
him. The seconds tick by until he sighs wearily, returning Jason’s handshake
with a great deal of reluctance.

The
four of us sit down, Rachel and I are seated opposite one another as are Jason
and Zack. The tension is palpable and I can only hope that my sister remains
oblivious and so does Jason. If either one of them knew what happened between
me and Zack last night… they would both despise me and I can’t say that I’d
blame them.

“So,
did you two have a good night last night?” Rachel asks, taking a sip of wine
from her glass.

I
swallow nervously, briefly glancing across the table at Zack. He has a cruel,
self-satisfied smirk on his face and it’s directed entirely on me. He knows how
uncomfortable this is for me, he planned this and he’s punishing me for running
out on him this morning. This is his revenge.