Believing Lies by Rachel Everleigh Page B

“Trenton?”
    “I’m here. I know you didn’t sleep with him, and I’m really sorry for what I called you. I didn’t mean it. But a word of advice, Sienna, that wasn’t the reaction of a guy who’s only interested in being your friend. I think you’re fooling yourself if you think that.” I didn’t know how to reply to that, so I didn’t say anything at all. “Look, maybe it took me literally getting an ass beating to realize how much I deserved one for what I did. I want you to know I’ll always be sorry. I understand that it’s a losing battle right now for you to forgive me, but I hope you eventually will. I hope that one day you’ll still become my wife.” I could hear him choking up, and I started to openly cry. “I’m letting you go, Sienna. Not because I want to, but because you want me to. I want to make you happy . . . even if it tears me apart.”
    “Thank you,” I whispered. “I know it’s the right thing.”
    “Doing the right thing sucks.” He gave a failed attempt at a chuckle. “I’ll call Paul, and we’ll drop off your things tomorrow. Since I’m the reason you’re leaving in the first place, I’ll take care of it. I went through your box that’s marked Pictures and Books yesterday and took a few pictures of us out.” He paused. “Do you mind if I keep them? How big of an ass am I that it took you being gone for me to notice I didn’t even have a photo of you to look at anywhere in our apartment?”
    “That doesn’t make you an ass. You can keep the pictures.” I wiped the tears away and stopped crying.
    “Thanks. I work during the day, but I’ll be there after six tomorrow. I’ve taken sick time this week, but it’s time to go back.” My heart broke a little more knowing that he’d been home these days feeling as miserable as I had.
    “Six is okay.” I paused. I didn’t know if I should ask my next question, but if we ever had a chance of getting back together in the future, I needed to know the answer. “Trenton, was it just the one time?” My voice was shaky.
    He hesitated, and that alone revealed the truth before he even spoke. “No, it wasn’t.”
    My heart and a little bit of my ego were crushed, but I somehow managed to give no indication of this in my voice when I replied, “Thank you for the truth.”
    “I’m so sorry, baby . . . Please know I never meant to hurt you, and I—”
    I couldn’t listen to anymore. I cut him off by abruptly saying, “Goodbye, Trenton.” I hung up the call and cried.

Chapter Eight
    A little over a week had passed since the day at the beach, giving me the time I needed to clear my head and get used to life post Trenton. My bedroom was set up with my own things, making it feel much more permanent. Sophie and I had transitioned to being roommates smoothly. We’d spent a few nights watching movies and just hanging out. The two nights that she went out to the bars with Conner, they invited me along. But I hadn’t felt like being social. Instead, I opted for pajamas and my eReader.
    I finally called Courtney today. I hadn’t spoken to her since she went home for the summer, so she was absolutely floored when I filled her in on everything that had happened. I couldn’t wait for her to return when school started. I missed her immensely.
    Each day had brought me closer to feeling like my old self as I got back into a somewhat regular routine. I was still being a recluse for the most part, not seeing anyone except for Sophie and occasionally Conner in passing. I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t thought about Adam. I wondered about how he was doing and hoped that he would come over with Conner. It was probably best that he hadn’t.
    I was going to meet my parents for dinner tonight. My mother had originally suggested brunch at the club, but my dad felt a family dinner at home would be better. I was grateful we wouldn’t be talking about my personal life in a public place. Plus, I didn’t want to chance seeing Trenton