57. Callie
CHAPTER 57
CALLIE
A fter waking up multiple times throughout the morning and falling back asleep because I don’t want to face the world, I eventually need to leave my room sometime after ten to use the bathroom.
When I come out, my roommates are both waiting for me in the hall.
Grinning, Ana peers into the bathroom. “Is there a man in there with you?” Then she sees my face.
Marissa had already noticed my distress. “Callie, what happened? Why are you home early?”
I want to push by them and go back to hide in my bed, but I feel like I owe them an explanation, and maybe talking things through will help shut down the constantly spinning thoughts that kept me from sleeping soundly.
Normally, my sister is my person when I need emotional support, but I’m sure I’m the last person she wants to see.
That thought brings tears to my eyes, and my roommates immediately rush to my side.
“Callie, what’s wrong?”
“What happened?”
They steer me into the living room and sit next to me on the couch after bringing over a box of tissues.
“I was so stupid! I should have known better than to trust them. I should have known.” Both of their jaws drop, as I tell them who Max and Miles really are, just as Max told me. “It turns out they were using me, too, just like my ex.”
“They arrested your sister’s father-in-law?” Marissa says.
“They said he’s a drug trafficker. They used me as a way to get invited to the wedding, so they could bust him.”
There are long pauses between me speaking and my roommates responding, as they let the information sink in, and I completely understand, because it’s still so hard to believe.
“Secret agents,” Ana repeats, looking stunned. “Why didn’t they tell you ahead of time?”
“It’s right there in the job title, Ana,” Marissa says. “Secret. They wouldn’t be able to tell her anything.”
Ana makes a face, realizing her question was silly, then says, “But surely they could have tipped you off somehow. Did you … did you sleep with one of them, Callie?”
“Both of them.” Saying it causes a pain so heavy in my belly that I bend forward, gasping.
Ana and Marissa rub my back and say soothing things that I barely hear.
“They were so enthusiastic to play the role of my boyfriend. They were flirty and kind, and I was dumb enough to think they meant what they said. They didn’t need to do all of that to pose as my date—we could’ve just been friends—so apparently I was a little toy for them to play with, a diversion to pass the time during their mission.”
My tears are gone as my anger builds.
“Men are such assholes. Users. And I’m the fucking idiot who never learns. I had fun with them. I thought it was something real, and that we might continue to see each other after the wedding. I was completely delusional.”
Images of what I did with both of them in our room flash through my mind. At the time, I thought we were sharing an intimate connection, but they were just using me. They said they never shared a woman before, but I’m certain that’s a lie, too. God, they must have been laughing at me behind my back the whole time.
“Don’t blame yourself, Callie. How could you have known?”
I already knew I shouldn’t trust men. I thought I’d learned that lesson well enough for it to last a lifetime, but all it took were a few kisses, and I was ready to be played again.
I thought I was dumb about Rick, but it turns out I was just getting started. I only hurt myself when I let Rick deceive me, but now the people I care about most got hurt, too, all because I’m so fucking stupid.
“The worst part isn’t what they did to me,” I say. “It’s how they had no regard for my sister. It should be the best day of her life, and now a drug bust will be her prevailing memory.”
“Do you think it’s really true?” Marissa asks. “That her new husband’s father is involved in drug smuggling?”
“It seems so.”
“That’s kind of scary, that she married into that family.”
“I can’t believe there’s any way Adam is involved.” The thought had never occurred to me until just now.
“I sure hope not,” Marissa says.
“They weren’t putting Adam in handcuffs, at least not while I was there.”
Ana shakes her head, as if in a daze. “Wow, this is all so wild. I just can’t believe it.”
Marissa rests her hand on mine. “Callie, would you like something to eat? Maybe some toast?”
“I’m not hungry at all. My stomach was sick last night.”
She gets up from the couch. “Maybe some tea, then? I’ll make a cup for you.”
“You don’t have to do that, but thank you.”
“I’d better check my phone,” I tell Ana as I get up, too. If Adam is somehow tangled up in all this, my sister might need me, if she can stand to see me.
As I wait for my phone to restart, I remember that we all should have been at brunch today, celebrating the newlyweds, sending them off on their honeymoon. I wonder if anyone is even still at the resort.
There’s a message from Sadie on the screen, and my heart is in my throat as soon as I see her name. All it says, though, is “Where are you? What happened?” It’s from yesterday.
“I’m so sorry, Sadie. So so sorry. I’m at home. I hope you’re okay.” My message goes through as delivered, but not read.
I’m shocked that there are no messages from my mom, and almost a little worried about the lack of communication, but maybe she’s too irate to even scream at me through text or voicemail.
There are both text and voice messages from Max and Miles, but I refuse to read or listen.
A memory pops into my head—Miles telling me we should go back inside during Sadie’s reception, because it was a once-in-a-lifetime event. One that he had no problem destroying, apparently.
Did I even know anything true about either of them? The level of deception is incredible.
I return to the living room, phone in hand, with the hope of hearing back from Sadie. Just as Marissa brings in the cup of tea, there’s a knock at the door.