The Lonely Hearts Club

Chapter 21: Betrayal (Bree)

Three weeks ago, Hayden Madden left my apartment without a backward glance.

I spilled my guts to that man.

I confessed things to him I could hardly admit to myself.

I told him about my parents.

I mentioned things about Rowan.

He held my hand and called me sweet names.

I believed every word he said to me.

Today is the first day I haven't been physically sick when I've thought of the situation.

Acorn swishes his tail against my face before curling up on my chest.

I fiddle with the heart necklace.

I simply cannot bring myself to take it off, even though I know I should.

Sometimes when I wake in the middle of the night, I wonder if it was all a dream.

I wonder if panic and loneliness manifested themselves together to create my dream man in the form of a hallucination.

Of course, it can't be that simple.

His black jeans, black underwear, and first aid kit are all still in my apartment.

I washed his clothes and am planning on throwing them in the bin, plus I want to give the first aid kit to Lotta.

Soon.

I'll get rid of his things soon.

Surprisingly, Rowan hasn't sent me anything else since Acorn's mom.

I hope it's finally over.

Maybe sending a slaughtered cat was his last hoorah.

I'm reading a new thriller novel, one I ordered myself.

Every so often I'll get distracted with thoughts of him and have to bring myself back to the present moment, but otherwise, I'm okay.

I think.

I still wish I never said anything to him.

For a few days I held hope that I would see him again, but no.

I feel so stupid.

I ease Acorn onto the empty side of my bed and pad into the bathroom.

I splash my face with cold water and look up at the angel painting on my ceiling.

"Reckon you can help me through today?" I mumble.

Then I start laughing, because what the fuck is wrong with me?

I'm talking to ceilings now?

I go into my living room and double-check to make sure all my locks are secure.

Someone knocks.

I jump out of my skin.

"Bree?" Silvia's sweet voice drifts in.

I open the door for her, and she smiles happily.

"Someone is on the phone for you, dear," she ushers me out of my apartment.

"Who?" I frown.

"Some girl named Alana Valentine...you know her?"

Before Hades left me for good, he mentioned he wanted me to meet two girls called Lana and Coco.

That surely has to be Lana.

"Maybe."

I pick up the receiver for Silvia's green phone and raise it to my ear.