Wrecked (Clayton Falls) - By Alyssa Rose Ivy Page 0,1

is she talking about?” Molly took a few steps toward me.

I played with the keys inside the pocket of my shorts. I needed to get out of there. “It’s nothing. She’s just drunk.”

Daniela laughed. “It’s true, Molly. Jake wanted to break you guys up.”

Molly turned to Ben. “Is she telling the truth?”

“I never slept with her!” He put an arm around Molly. “I remember a night during senior year when she, uh, offered, but I said no.”

Daniela sneered. “He did say no. He didn’t want anyone but his precious Molly.”

“Okay, you need to go sober up.” Tom grabbed his sister’s arm and dragged her inside.

Ben looked like he was ready to kill me. I knew I deserved it. “Did you try to set me up?”

I made a decision in that moment. Maybe it was a dumb one—but I decided to be honest. “Yes.”

“You set me up to cheat on Molly? What? What fucking reason would you have to do that?” He turned red and had both hands in his hair. He was ready to explode.

“I know how dumb it was. Daniela suggested it, and it made sense at the time.” A lot of stupid ideas sound great when you’re drunk.

“Her suggestion? Why the hell would she suggest it?”

“She always had a crush on you.” Molly spoke so softly I barely heard her. She turned to Ben. “Was it at that party at Tanner’s? The one I didn’t go to because I was grounded?”

Ben nodded nervously.

Molly crossed her arms. “It was probably Daniela who sent me the picture then.”

“What picture?” Ben looked panicked.

“It was of you shirtless with a girl’s hand on your chest.” She paused for a second and let out a deep breath. “I assumed you were just playing around. I would have known if you actually cheated on me.”

“That was April, right before you changed your mind and decided to go to college in Boston.” Ben kept his eyes fixed on some invisible spot in the distance.

“It was a few weeks before.” Molly twisted the material of her t-shirt with her hand.

“Is that why you decided to move so far? I thought it was because you were afraid I’d leave you behind.” Ben’s voice got all scratchy. I could tell he was trying to keep his temper reigned in.

“I was afraid of that. The picture just reinforced my fear.” Molly looked like she was ready to cry. Ben pulled her into his arms.

She turned and looked right at me. “Do you know who sent the picture?”

I let out a deep breath. I was about to make things ten times worse. “I sent it from someone else’s phone. I’m sorry.” I didn’t wait around for Ben to process what I’d just admitted. I turned and walked away. I probably should have stayed to talk it out, but instead I headed to the bar. After a few glasses of Jack, I needed fresh air.

I got my Jeep up to eighty. The open, country road was the perfect place to let out my frustration. With the top down, the wind blew through my hair, stinging my face as I continued to accelerate. The only lights were from my car, and I enjoyed the darkness. I felt my eyes start to close just as I lost control, and everything went black.

Chapter Two

Emily

Two more hours. Two more hours and I could go home. I was already dreaming about the comfort of my bed. My eight hundred thread count sheets were my only splurge in the past year. I’d used the summer to take as many extra shifts as I could. I needed the money, and there were very few things that seemed worth dipping into my funds—a good night’s sleep was one of them.

I reattached the blood pressure cuff to Mrs. Nevelle. I really hoped her kids got there soon. She didn’t have much time left. I loved working as a nurse in the ICU because there was always something going on, but dealing with really sick people had its drawbacks. The worst was, of course, when they died. Mrs. Nevelle seemed ready. She was eighty-eight and, during the brief time she was coherent, she told me how excited she was to join her husband. I hoped that when my time came I’d have that attitude.

The unit was quiet that night. My shift had been easy. My second room was still empty, so Mrs. Nevelle had my undivided attention. I should have known it couldn’t stay that calm. I heard the phone ring