Chapter 3

3

It was dark when I got home.

The lights were on, which was weird. Sarah never stayed home, and Mom was in the hospital. Who was here?

I closed the door and turned around. Sarah was standing there, looking pissed. "Kevin, where have you been? It's late."

I didn't feel like dealing with her, so I started walking to my room.

Sarah blocked my way, glaring down at me. "Why are you so red? Who were you with?"

She grabbed my wrist. Her eyes were like fire.

"I was out with my girlfriend, Sarah. Is that something I need to run by you?"

I yanked my hand away. "Didn't Ben come by?"

Her eyes flickered, then went dark. I couldn't read her.

"Sarah, I left my pajamas. Can you…?" A familiar voice called.

"Oh, hey, Kevin's home." Ben said, walking in.

Ben was wearing Sarah's clothes, his hair still wet.

I just nodded.

Sarah walked over to Ben and started drying his hair with a towel, her voice softer than I'd ever heard it. "Ben, you'll catch a cold."

She kissed him on the forehead.

"Sarah, your brother is right here."

Ben wrapped his arms around her. Sarah shot me a look. "Let him watch. Maybe it'll stop him from getting any ideas."

They started making out, right in front of me. Sarah was moaning, and then she took Ben back to her room.

I just stood there. I balled my fists, then went to my own room.

Sarah was never going to be mine. I needed to accept that.

Frustrated, I grabbed my phone. That's when I saw all the texts from the woman I met earlier.

[My name is Lucy Miller.]

[Since we're getting married, when can I move in with my husband?]

[Was that too forward? You said you'd call me when you needed me…]

…

[Husband, why won't you talk to me?]

She even added a crying emoji.

I dropped my phone and touched my face.

Why was I so hot?

She seemed so cool and collected earlier, but her texts…

I was actually feeling bad for her?

My phone buzzed again. Lucy was calling.

I answered without thinking.

"Honey, you didn't respond. Why?" Her voice was low and husky.

My heart skipped a beat. "Uh… my phone died. I didn't see them."

I don't know why I was so defensive. I felt like I'd done something wrong.

"Can I come over tomorrow?"

I was so distracted, I barely heard what she was saying.

"Honey?"

"Yeah, what's up?"

She laughed softly. "How about we meet tomorrow?"

Somehow, I agreed.

As soon as I hung up, I felt anxious. I was thirsty, and I went to the kitchen to get some water.

I opened the door and ran right into Sarah.

The air smelled like sex. Her hair was a mess, her shirt was half-open, and I could see scratch marks on her chest. She stared at me.

"Who were you on the phone with?"