Embracing Myself

One drunken night, I went wild with Anson, my best friend since childhood.
I was in the shower when the text began to scroll across my vision.
【Can all these ‘girl-bros’ just spontaneously combust already? Seriously.】
【Using the ‘best friend’ card to pull this crap… she’s a real piece of work.】
【His one true love has already appeared. Get rid of this pick-me girl, she’s disgusting!】
I stood there in silence for a moment, then pulled the shower curtain closed.
When Anson called later, asking me out for another drink, my voice was flat. “I can’t. I’m pregnant.”
I paused, then added, “And no, it’s not yours.”

1
We’re adults. We have needs.
Anson and I had known each other forever, and he’d always kept his circle clean. So, what happened, happened.
Last night was insane.
He pulled me from the bathroom to the floor-to-ceiling windows, a whirlwind of tangled limbs and breathless moments. But when his phone rang at the crack of dawn, he was gone, not even remembering to grab me my favorite chicken and wild rice soup from Henderson’s on his way out.
And then, in the shower, the stream of text appeared.
Once I pieced it all together, I understood. I was the despised “girl-bro.” Anson was destined for someone else. His early morning disappearing act? It was for her.
He’d been obsessed with this girl for a week, making a pilgrimage to her coffee shop every single morning, a relentless, charming pest.
I was curious. Were these vulgar comments scrolling before my eyes real?
The moment I walked into that coffee shop, Anson froze. The girl was leaning over to place a coffee in front of him, a strand of her hair brushing against his arm. His eyes met mine, and his composure shattered.
“L-Leah…”
The girl looked up at me.
I smiled. “One Americano. Black, no sugar.”
The comments went wild.
【Who the hell does she think she is, ordering the main character around?! I’m gonna lose my mind!】
【Does she think she’s hot stuff just sitting there? He was never hers to begin with, what’s with the attitude?!】
【He hasn't even won the girl over yet and she’s already here stirring up trouble. How pathetic can you get?!】
The girl blinked, a little startled. “Would you like that iced or hot, ma’am?”
“Hot, thank you.”
She turned to get back to work.
Anson’s eyes darted around, guilt written all over his face. “How did you find this place?”
I didn’t answer.
He scrambled for an excuse. “This is… a friend’s shop.”
I remained silent.
He hesitated, then tested the waters. “Leah, are you mad?”

2
“Here you go, ma’am,” the girl said politely. “Your Americano.”
Her pale hand placed the cup on my table. She lingered, making no move to leave.
The comments wailed in agony.
【I can’t with this. The moment our girl starts to fall for him, this damn pick-me shows up.】
【Her heart is turning to ice right now!】
【Does this ‘girl-bro’ seriously not get how much she’s in the way? Acting all high and mighty…】
Anson glanced from me to her, then back again. Clenching his jaw, he stood up and took the girl’s arm. “Mia, this is—”
“I’m Anson’s…” I cut him off, watching the color drain from his face before finishing slowly, “…best friend. One of the guys.”
Both of them went pale.
【Oh my god, she actually had the nerve to say it out loud?】
【It’s okay, girl, I get you. I used to be a pick-me too, until someone beat the crap out of me. Haven’t dared since.】
【This is next level. She’s just straight-up declaring war!】
Beneath the flood of text, Mia’s eyes reddened.
Anson shot up, flustered. “Mia, don’t be upset.”
I took a sip of my coffee. The bitterness made me wince. I scanned the QR code, paid, and walked out.
All I needed was to confirm the comments were real. Dragging this out any further was pointless.
As I pushed the door open, the early summer breeze hit my face. Someone rushed out after me, their expression ugly.
“Leah, did you come all this way just to give her a hard time?”

3
My eyes fell on the dark red mark on his neck. I pulled a compact mirror from my bag and handed it to him.
“You missed a spot.”
He froze.
His gaze dropped to the mirror, and panic flashed in his eyes. “This… a mosquito must’ve gotten me at some point.” He tried to pull his collar up to hide the mark.
A pathetic attempt to hide the obvious.
I was already walking away.
I was the one who left that mark. What was he trying to explain to me?

4
Luckily, the trip to the coffee shop didn't take long. Henderson’s was still open. I definitely needed a bowl of their chicken and wild rice soup to refuel.
It was a shame, though. Anson was one of the few guys I knew inside and out. The experience was… satisfactory. And free.
Guess that’s off the table now.
As I was lamenting my loss, the group chat with all our old neighborhood friends started blowing up.
Anson: 【Guys, I’m officially taken. Anyone free tonight? Let’s celebrate.】
Someone in the group immediately started teasing him.
【Cut the crap, man. If you wanna drink, just say it. We all know who you’re with.】
【Yeah, seriously. We’ve known Leah longer than you have. Stop showing off.】
Anson sent a series of ellipses. The next moment, a new person was added to the group. A profile picture of a fluffy pink cloud.
She sent a voice message.
【Hi everyone, I’m Anson’s girlfriend, Mia! It’s so nice to meet you all! ?】
The chat went silent for a beat. Then, a flood of welcome emojis filled the screen.
Privately, four or five messages popped up on my phone.
【Leah, what’s going on? Did you and Anson have a fight?】
I couldn’t reply to all of them. I decided to just respond to Mia in the main group.
【Welcome.】
Almost instantly, another voice note from Mia appeared.
【Is Leah in this group? I heard she’s like, a really good friend to all you guys.】

5
The comments were howling with laughter.
【LMAO, no matter how smug the pick-me acts, she still has to call the girlfriend ‘sis’ once it’s official.】
【Go, Mia, go! Called her out the second she joined the group. Let’s see what face this girl has left.】
【This is the kind of satisfying drama I live for! Everyone stand and applaud!】
My… arrangement with Anson had been going on for six months. Our closeness wasn’t a secret in our little circle. Even if I maintained the “best friend” persona, I was Anson’s best friend. With one sentence, Mia had demoted me to being everyone’s buddy.
The group chat fell silent again. No one dared to touch that line.
Only Anson responded, tagging the pink cloud.
【You can’t expect every girl to be as sweet and reserved as you.】
He then sent me a private message.
【She doesn’t know about us.】
【This one’s on me. Can you just let it go?】
It seemed he’d recovered from the initial shock and guilt of seeing me this morning. He was firmly choosing his one true love.
I didn’t reply.
Then, a notification popped up. A wire transfer from Anson.
$5,000.00.
Another one.
0-03,140.00.
Large, specific amounts. The kind you can’t easily dispute.
I accepted the money.
Anson sent a pleading emoji.
I was quiet for a moment, then typed a reply in the group chat.
【See you tonight.】
I had made my stance clear. Only then did our friends start chiming in.
【Got it, see you tonight!】
And just like that, the invisible peanut gallery exploded again.
【What’s her problem? Has she never been to a party before? Gotta make her presence known even at his relationship announcement?】
【The female rivalry is strong with this one. The whole ‘girl-bro’ act is just designed to piss off the girlfriend, isn’t it? I’m getting second-hand cringe.】
【Someone please tell this girl to stop being so delusional. Not every guy is secretly in love with her.】
【I think you just perfectly psychoanalyzed Leah lol.】
【She’s a prophet! Get her!】
My eyes scanned the text.
Tonight’s party… who said I was going for Anson?

6
I must have been exhausted from the night before. By the time I woke up, it was already late.
When I arrived at the restaurant, most of our friends were already there. Mia’s eyes locked onto me instantly.
Instead of a greeting, she smiled and tapped a dish on the menu. The peel-and-eat shrimp.
“I’d love to have this, but peeling them is such a pain.”
Anson, ever the doting new boyfriend, stroked her head indulgently. “I’ll peel them for you.”
Mia beamed, then acted as if she’d just noticed my arrival.
“Oh, Leah’s here! Why are you sitting so far away?” She feigned curiosity. “Shouldn’t the ‘best friend’ sit right next to the guys?”
The table went quiet.
She pursed her lips, pretending to realize her mistake. “Oh, Anson… did I say something wrong?”
I laughed. “You didn’t say anything wrong.” I looked her up and down. “You seem to know a lot about how ‘girl-bros’ operate. Speaking from experience?”
Mia and Anson’s faces changed in perfect unison once again. I leaned back in my chair, enjoying the show. I’d never seen Anson look so cornered before. Now that I was over him, it was actually quite entertaining.
【So gross. Why are these types of girls so annoying? Just because she’s known him longer, she thinks she has some kind of superiority?】
【Leah has such a toxic mouth. Just because Mia saw through her little game, she accuses her of being the same kind of trash?!】
【Wow, she’s great at dragging people down with her. Are you okay, lady?!】
Anson finally met my gaze again. The guilt was gone, replaced by a steely resolve. “Leah, Mia’s young.”
The next part was obvious. He was going to tell me to be the bigger person.
A friend tried to smooth things over. “Leah, come sit over here with me.”
Suddenly, the door to the private room swung open.
A voice, dripping with a playful smirk, announced, “Sorry I’m late, guys. The race just finished.”

7
He was the very picture of youthful arrogance, brimming with a devil-may-care energy. He plopped down in the chair right next to me, the one I had my arm draped over.
Even through his leather racing jacket, I could feel the heat radiating off him. “Leah,” he purred, “I came just for you.”
The room fell silent.
Anson’s face instantly darkened.
The comments erupted.
【What’s this new game? Is the pick-me playing hard to get now?】
【This trick is so old and she’s still using it? Does she really think he’s going to fall for that?】
【I’m telling you, any social circle with a ‘girl-bro’ is a mess. She’s probably been passed around by everyone in the group. Why else would they all defer to her?】
【Go get a check-up, you skank!】
Ryder picked up a menu from the table, flipping through the pages. “The pot roast, the honey-glazed ham, and the BBQ ribs. One of each, thanks.”
After ordering, he turned back to me. “Those are your favorites, right, Leah?”
The comments. A stream of ellipses flowed across my vision.
【…】
【…】
【…】
【So Leah found this psycho to make Anson jealous? LMAO, you’re kidding me, right?】
【He might be hot, but the second he opens his mouth, you know he’s a mess. How is this guy supposed to make Anson regret anything?!】
【Wait, hold on… look at Anson.】
Following their lead, I saw it. Anson’s expression had changed completely. His fist, resting on the table, was trembling slightly.
I knew why he was losing his cool.
When I was a teenager, going through a growth spurt, I loved heavy, greasy food. Anson caught me once and teased me for eating like a slob. That’s how the “one of the guys” nickname started. It wasn’t until I got older and developed a sense of self-consciousness that I made him swear to stop.
He only agreed to keep it a secret after I promised him, “Childhood friends, forever and ever.”
My favorite foods were supposed to be our little secret.
And now, another man was casually listing them off right in front of him. And that man was now gently, tantalizingly, hooking his pinky finger around mine.
“I remembered, right, Leah?”

8
Smack.
The leather-bound menu hit the table with a loud crack.
Everyone in the room turned to the source of the sound. Anson’s face was a thundercloud.
The man beside me just raised a dark eyebrow. “What’s the problem, Anson?” he drawled. “Think my order’s too expensive?” His pinky continued its slow, deliberate dance with mine, a playful smirk dancing on his lips. “If money’s tight, I can cover it.”
Before Anson could explode, the comments did.
【Holy sh*t, what is this guy saying… how can he talk like that!】
【Dude, wake up! Look at the trash sitting next to you! Even if you’re rivals, you shouldn’t fight over a girl like her!】
【This is all her fault. She’s playing one against the other. She must be loving this!】
It seemed the comment section was a big fan of male solidarity. I couldn’t help but chuckle.
Anson, however, was furious. “Leah, did you bring him here just to ruin things?”
“Hmm? The invitation you sent to the group didn’t include me, Anson?”
The two men’s gazes locked across the round table, sparks flying between them. The next second, they both stood up and walked out of the room.
Mia’s face was pale. “Anson…”
“It’s fine, Mia. Wait for me.”
Back in the room, no one spoke. Everyone was used to the friction that sparked whenever these two were in the same place. Even though they were in the same neighborhood group, Anson never showed up to events if Ryder was there, and vice versa. Their rivalry was no act.
But the little flower across from me had clearly never seen a showdown like this. Her eyes were red as she looked around at everyone, a picture of vulnerability.
I couldn’t be bothered to meet her gaze. I pushed my chair back and stepped out into the hallway.
The two of them had picked a less-than-ideal spot for their chat. Just around the corner, I could hear every word perfectly.

9
“Everyone in the group knows about Leah and me. You didn’t?”
“I know. So what?”
“She’s been in my bed for the last six months. You really want my sloppy seconds?”
The click of a lighter echoed from around the corner. Ryder’s voice was lazy, dismissive. “What? You expect her to stay celibate for you or something?”
“You’ve got a lot of nerve. Aren’t you disgusted picking up my leftovers?”
Before I could storm around the corner, I heard the sickening thud of a fist hitting flesh.
Ryder had Anson by the collar, his eyes blazing. “If you don’t know how to talk, then shut your damn mouth, you piece of garbage.”
Anson just laughed, grabbing Ryder’s shoulder to retaliate.
“Anson!”
I shouted his name.
His body went rigid. He looked at me in disbelief, a flicker of panic in his eyes. “Leah, when did you get here?”
I took a steadying breath. “Right before you called me your sloppy seconds.”
Ryder let go of his collar.
Anson was stunned. “Leah, I’m a man. I know what other men want. Ryder is obviously just…”
He didn’t finish. A full glass of wine splashed across his face. A passing waiter froze, his face white with shock.
I wiped my hand. “Put this on Room 888’s tab.” The waiter practically fled. I curled my lips into a smile. “Just helping you clear your head. A little lesson in respect.”
His jaw tightened. For a few seconds, we just stared at each other. Then, he laughed, a cold, humorless sound. “Is this your revenge for me getting a girlfriend? Using this guy?”
“You know what kind of scene he runs in. The dirt, the grime.” His tongue pushed against the inside of his cheek, his confidence returning. “You’re so obsessed with being clean. You really think… you think I’d believe you’d touch someone like him?”
From the direction of the private room, Mia’s tearful voice called out, “Anson, where did you go…?”
Anson’s expression changed. He strode back towards her.
I heard her gasp. “Oh my god, you’re hurt.”

10
How sweet.
I didn’t need to see it; the comments were giving me a play-by-play of their tender moment. I started to head back, but a hand caught my arm.
Ryder had a bruise forming on the corner of his mouth, but his eyes were fixed on me, intense and unwavering.
“The scene might be messy,” he said, his voice low. “But I’m not.”
His eyes were burning. “I always knew you liked the clean-cut type.”
Just like my favorite foods. I’d never told Ryder any of this, yet he knew it all.
I figured some things needed to be said before they started.
“I did sleep with Anson.”
He went silent.
“And I have no intention of ever getting married.”
That’s why I needed a partner who was relatively stable and clean. It wasn't about loyalty. It was about what one of those comments had guessed right.
Protecting my health.
Ryder’s lips pressed into a thin line, the corners of his mouth turning down. “Then… why didn’t you choose me from the start?”
I didn’t answer. I couldn’t very well tell him I’d heard the racing scene was notoriously wild. After all, Ryder had lost a good fifty pounds in the year since he started racing. Aside from illegal activities, the only other explanation was… excessive physical exertion.
A waiter carrying a platter of meat dishes walked by. Ryder stopped him.
“The food for Room 888? You can cancel it. Just pack it to go.”
The waiter hesitated.
Ryder pulled him towards the front desk. “It’s Anson’s private room, you think he’s going to stiff you? Pack up these meat dishes, and bring him some king crab and peel-and-eat shrimp instead. Anything that’s a pain in the ass to eat. The man’s trying to do business, help him keep his guests occupied. Now go.”

11
He dragged me out of the restaurant and back to his car. The boyish features were gone, replaced by the sharp, wild edges of a young man. The chubby kid I remembered was a distant memory.
He was urgent, pressing me against the back of the passenger seat. His breath was hot and ragged against my ear.
“Leah… you said you’d give me a chance.”
I pushed against his shoulder, my gaze serious. “How did you know Anson was going to peel shrimp for her?”
He wasn’t even there at the time.
His lips hovered just above my eyes. “I was worried that bastard would use his new girlfriend to put you down, so I had someone in the group give me a live feed.”
After his confession, he leaned in again.
My head was spinning, but there were rules that had to be set.
“Ryder, I’m not looking for a relationship.”
His voice was laced with disappointment. “Leah, please… don’t say that now.”
He kissed me like he’d been starving for years, a desperate, reverent touch. After a long moment, he pulled back, breathless but clear-headed. “Not here.”
The sports car tore through the empty streets, a blur of motion and sound. He swept me up in his whirlwind, and before I knew it, we were back at my apartment.
My consciousness drifted in and out. I had a fleeting thought: so, the chubby kid didn’t just lose weight… he must have been hitting the gym. Hard. Beneath the racing jacket wasn’t a dirty soul.
It was a ridiculously ripped physique.
Well, then. I was definitely not getting the short end of this stick.
The next day, I woke up starving. I vaguely remembered the takeout from last night, none of which I’d had a chance to eat. Then, a delicious aroma wafted in from the kitchen.
That smell… it was Henderson’s chicken and wild rice soup.
I walked out to see Ryder in an apron. “You’re awake? I’m just finishing up an omelet. It’ll be ready in a second.”
My eyes fell to his feet. “Why aren’t you wearing slippers?”
He tensed. “I’m not wearing anything that bastard wore.”
Fine by me. It wasn’t my feet getting cold.
After a few spoonfuls of soup, I realized something was off. “How did you know I like this?”
He placed the omelet on the table, his eyes holding an emotion I couldn’t quite decipher. “You never told me what you like. But when I care about something… I pay attention.”
It sounded almost like an accusation. I didn’t have the energy to analyze it.
I unlocked my phone. It was flooded with missed calls. A relentless stream of video calls from Anson. A cascade of 60-second voice messages. No money transfers, so I didn’t bother listening.
The comments, which had been absent all night, started scrolling again.
【What is he doing? Did he really fall for her trick?】
【A woman who can navigate a group of guys like that is never good news. Is he not worried about catching something?】
【For all he knows, she was with someone else last night. I don’t get what he’s so worked up about!】
【Ugh, they were supposed to have a perfect night and she ruined it all! Damn bitch!】
Their words reminded me. Ryder had been the one to reach out yesterday.
“Now that you’re done with him, does that mean I have a chance?”
My answer had been, “I’ll consider it.”
And he took that “consideration” straight to my bed?
I didn’t like calculating men. They were the type to go after my money.

12
My phone rang. Anson’s voice, furious and frantic, blasted through the speaker.
“Leah, where are you? Did you and that asshole just ditch my party?!”
I held the phone away from my ear. “I wouldn’t call it ditching.” We did show up, after all. But in our circle of friends, my family’s company was currently the most successful. If I left, it was highly unlikely anyone else would stick around.
“Leah, why aren’t you eating your omelet?” Ryder pushed the plate closer to me.
The other end of the line went dead silent.
Then, Anson’s voice erupted, a raw, broken sound. “Leah, where are you?! Who is that? Is that Ryder? Are you insane?! Do you have any idea what kind of world he’s involved in?!”
I didn’t move. Ryder simply picked up the omelet, cut it into small pieces, and waited. After a moment, seeing I had no intention of responding to Anson, he let out a soft, slow chuckle.
“The racing world,” he said, his voice smooth as silk but loud enough for the phone to pick up. “If you’re curious, Anson, I can tell you all about it.”
The line went dead.
【Wait, what is he doing? She slept with someone else, why is HE throwing a tantrum?!】
【That’s just how ‘girl-bros’ are. They sleep with everyone in the circle.】
【I feel so bad for Mia. She’s probably crying into her pillow right now.】
【Hold on, calling the ‘girl-bro’ first thing in the morning? There’s a flaw in his character arc here…】
So, Anson had been busy too. Impressive. He usually needed a full day to recover after a night like ours. I had to hand it to him, finding the energy to meddle in my affairs after his own marathon session.

13
I’d barely stepped out the door when I got a call from building security. Anson was camped outside my apartment, banging on the door, telling anyone who tried to stop him that he was the owner’s boyfriend.
I saw the new ring of hickies decorating his neck in the security feed. I frowned. I never thought Anson would stoop to something so trashy. We both had new partners. What was this, trying to have his cake and eat it too?
My phone buzzed with his texts.
【Leah, even if you’re trying to get back at me, you could have found someone better. You know what Ryder is like.】
【I can’t just stand by and watch you ruin your life!】
【Leah, I know you’re hurt, but you can’t do this to yourself, Leah!】
I called security and had them revoke Anson’s access to the elevator. Then I finally took a moment to reply to him.
【Haven’t you cured your hero complex yet?】
Silence.
Plenty of people in our old neighborhood circle were in business, their families and fortunes intertwined. If Anson hadn’t made such a scene, I wouldn’t have wanted to humiliate him.
The man driving the car kept stealing glances at me.
“Leah,” he said suddenly, “there will never be anyone else but you.”
I tossed my phone aside and leaned back against the seat.
“Fine.”
As long as he didn’t try to force me to believe in love, he could say whatever he wanted.

14
For two solid weeks, Ryder and I explored the mysteries of the human body.
Pecs, abs… none of them compared to a solid, well-defined… gluteus maximus. He relentlessly insisted he was the cleanest guy I’d ever meet. He gave up drinking, parties, everything. He’d even drive me to a spa appointment and wait in the car downstairs for hours.
I couldn’t take it anymore. I kicked him lightly in the shin. “Don’t you ever have races or anything?”
“I have one tomorrow, actually. A cross-desert rally. I’ll be gone for days.”
I breathed a sigh of relief.
But he caught my ankle, his eyes darkening. “So, Leah… to prove just how clean I am, tonight, I’m going to make sure there’s nothing left.”
Nothing… left?
My mind went blank as he pulled me into his arms. I was too tired to even cry, but through the haze, I thought I heard him whisper softly in my ear.
“Leah… can I have my own pair of slippers?”

15
When I woke up, the sun was high in the sky, casting bright stripes across the tangled sheets. Sunlight illuminated the faint, reddish marks scattered across my legs.
The apartment was empty.
I should have been relieved, but a strange sense of emptiness settled in my chest. Humans really are social creatures. You get used to someone being around, and their absence leaves a void.
On the table was a large insulated container. I opened it, and the familiar, comforting scent of Henderson’s chicken and wild rice soup filled the air. It was still warm.
As I took a few bites, I thought, it’s just a pair of slippers. What’s the big deal?
The group chat, silent for weeks, lit up again. Someone was planning a night out at a new bar, one that was supposedly filled with gorgeous people.
I replied with a simple, “OK.”
It was still early, so I went out for a bit. I found myself in a designer store, buying a ridiculously overpriced pair of logo-covered slippers. My mind drifted. I remembered how Anson had just brought his own things to my place without asking. And now Ryder…
Well, what can I say? The little wolf knew how to be charming.

16
The new bar lived up to its hype. It was packed, a sea of beautiful, laughing people. Our friends had booked the largest booth, and the table was already covered in bottles.
Maybe it had been too long since I’d been out, but the thumping music was starting to get on my nerves. Some of our friends were cheering for the attractive people on the dance floor. One of them noticed my mood.
“Leah, check out that DJ! He’s super popular right now!”
I glanced over. He was pale and pretty, but his wiry frame was nothing compared to the raw, explosive power of a well-built physique.
I was bored.
After a few drinks, the comments started scrolling again.
【Is it just me, or does Anson not seem to appreciate Mia now that he has her? The sweet moments between them have really fizzled out.】
【I agree. He’s been totally distracted lately.】
【Don’t tell me he’s still thinking about that girl-bro. Is this a case of the ‘grass is always greener’? Ugh, I’m losing my faith in love.】
【Hey hey hey, look! In that booth! Isn’t that the pick-me?!】
【Oh crap, look at Anson’s eyes light up. What a scumbag. I’m done with this story!】
A moment later, someone sat down beside me. He didn’t even grab a drink before getting straight to the point.
“Leah, I told you Ryder was bad news.”
I looked up and saw the undisguised glee in his eyes.
Friends from across the booth, unable to hear Anson over the music, stood up to raise their glasses. To Anson’s right, Mia tugged on his sleeve, her voice soft and delicate. “Anson, it’s that time of the month, I can’t drink…”
He acted as if he hadn’t heard her, standing up to clink glasses with our friends. The only two people left sitting on the sofa were me and Mia.
Our eyes met. She quickly looked away, embarrassed.
【What is he doing? Can’t he stand up for his own girlfriend?】
【I don’t get it. What kind of ‘one true love’ is this? I was so moved when he was chasing her.】
【Has he been brainwashed by the pick-me?】
【Wait, look at her. What is she doing?!】

17
I flagged down a waiter and ordered two glasses of milk. When I placed one in front of Mia, she looked at me, utterly shocked.
Anson noticed and his gaze fell on me, his eyes softening with a strange tenderness. “Leah, you’re looking out for her for me. It’s because you still have feelings for me, isn’t it?”
Just as he spoke, the music cut out.
Mia’s face went white.
Well. Playing the saint isn’t for everyone.
I grabbed the friend to my left and swapped seats with him. From the corner of my eye, I saw Mia and Anson arguing about something. Her eyes were red.
The next thing I knew, a stack of photos was slapped onto the table. They were thrown with such force that the top one flew off and landed at my feet.
The photo showed a man in a racing jacket. In the passenger seat of his car sat a beautiful woman with curly hair. The car was parked in front of a hotel.
The time stamp in the bottom right corner… was from today.
The sound system must have malfunctioned, because all I could hear was a loud ringing in my ears. Anson was spreading the photos out across the table, one by one.
“Leah, take a good look. I told you Ryder was no good!”
He grabbed my arm.
I don’t know where the rage came from, but I swung my hand and slapped him hard across the face.
Anson froze. Even our friends were too stunned to say a word.

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