43. Sophie
Isit in the driver’s seat of my car, parked in the coffee shop lot. My hands are trembling as I dial Ethan’s number. I hold my phone to my ear and count the rings. Nerves and anger simmer inside of me. I feel like I’m going to puke.
Dakota grabs my hand and squeezes it. I close my eyes and relish the comforting gesture from my best friend.
“Hello?”
The sound of Ethan’s voice turns that anger into a rolling boil.
“Ethan. It’s Sophie. I got your email.”
He lets out an easy laugh. “You finally came to your senses.”
Invisible needles prick my skin at hearing the satisfaction in his voice. Such an arrogant asshole.
“Something like that,” I say.
“I’m so glad you called me,” Ethan says. I can tell he’s smiling. “So you dumped the manwhore?”
I grit my teeth. “Nope. I called because I want you to know I’m going to destroy you.”
“What? Sophie, what are you talking about?”
Adrenaline pumps like hot lava spilling through my veins.
“I know you’re the one who hacked Makenna Marley’s phone and leaked the video. And I know why you did it. Because you were angry that I wouldn’t get back together with you. Because you wanted to humiliate Xander after he protected me from you.”
Ethan’s silent for a long moment.
“Sophie, I don’t know what you?—”
“Don’t,” I bite. “Don’t even try to lie or explain. I know you did this, Ethan. You’re easier to read than a picture book. And I’m going to show the whole world what a scumbag you are.”
He mutters a curse. “God, Sophie. You really are under his spell, aren’t you?”
I make a disgusted noise. I can’t believe I was ever in love with this man.
This man who grabbed me and tried to hurt me when I wouldn’t go back to him. This man who tried to ruin my boyfriend’s life for the pettiest, cruelest reason.
Protectiveness for Xander burns inside of me like a bonfire. I may not be strong and big enough to physically beat Ethan. But I can beat him in a different way—in a way that will help Xander and hopefully make this whole mess go away.
“The only time I was under a spell was when I was with you, Ethan. You had me fooled. But now I know who you really are. You’re pathetic. You couldn’t stand the thought that I moved on with someone else, so you tried to ruin us. But I want you to know, the only person who’s going to be ruined by the end of this is you.”
Another muttered curse. He’s quiet for a long moment. “You can’t prove anything,” he finally says quickly, like he’s nervous. “It’s not like you have evidence.”
“I’ll guess you’ll find out, won’t you?” I hang up and drop my phone on my lap. I let out a shaky breath as Dakota hugs me.
“You’re a badass, Soph. A freaking badass.”
This time when my best friend says it, I believe her.