After catching her fiancé in bed with her best friend, Kingston Hart flees to Los Angeles, determined to pursue her dream of becoming a sportswriter. Encouraged by her online lady gang, she reluctantly joins Tinder, sparking a sizzling encounter wit...
"Kingston! Kingston, please! Wait!" My fiancé, Justin's frantic voice rings out as he hastily pulls up his jeans, leaving my best friend, Kat, frozen in our bed. Her almond-brown eyes stare up at me wide with shock and guilt.
My cheeks flush with heat and a wave of nausea sweeps over me. I race down the stairs, navigating through a sea of familiar faces, and angrily yank off the birthday tiara from my head. A heavy lump forms in my throat, but I fight to maintain my composure. With each step, my heart pounds louder.
"Babe, is everything okay?" My friend Olivia reaches for me, her voice breaking through my fog of disbelief.
I shake my head no, unable to form words. Ignoring my friend's concern, I press forward. I can't stop or what I just saw will be real; Justin, my fiancé, and Kat, my best friend, sleeping together in our bed - on my birthday.
I focus on reaching the front door, my hands trembling as I anxiously fumble for my keys in the dish on the console table.
"Kingston, please!" Justin's distressed voice cuts through the music, his sandy blonde hair flipping as he makes his way down the stairs and through the crowded living room. "Baby, wait!" I can't bear to face him. Not now. Not after what I just saw.
I snatch my keys, slam the front door, and bolt for my white BMW SUV. The cool evening air hits my face, offering a brief escape from the suffocating atmosphere inside. Tears blur my vision as I unlock the car with my key fob, practically throwing myself into the driver's seat. I start the engine and "I Think I'm OKAY" by Machine Gun Kelly pumps loudly through the speakers. Glancing in the rearview mirror, I curse softly. There is a line of parked cars behind me.
I sit there, gripping the steering wheel until my knuckles turn white, trying to steady my breathing.
A tap on the driver's side window startles me, and I look up to see a shirtless Justin, his expression torn between anguish and remorse. "Kingston, please, just let me explain," he begs, his voice cracking with emotion.
As the golden hour hue reflects against my window, I reluctantly roll it down partially, letting the crisp air seep into the car. "What? What could you possibly want, Justin?" I demand, eyes firmly fixed ahead. I pause the song playing on my Bluetooth.
"Kingston, I... I don't even know where to start," Justin's voice wavers, "I really fucked up."
I sit in silence, my face hidden in the soft glow of the dashboard lights.
"I am so sorry! You have to believe me that it didn't mean anything." Justin continues, his words rushing out in a desperate plea. "I never wanted to hurt you like this. Especially after what happened with your dad –"
"Don't you dare bring him up," I cut Justin off sharply, tears welling in my eyes. "How could you, Justin?" My voice breaks, barely above a whisper. "With Kat...my best friend...on my birthday."
Justin flinches, the weight of guilt pressing down on him. "I was stupid, selfish. I don't deserve forgiveness, but please... please don't shut me out. I love you more than anything."
"Love me?" I'm incredulous. "This isn't how you show someone you love them!"
"I know. After everything that happened—" he stops abruptly. "Kat and I were spending a lot of time together, trying to come up with ways to lift your spirits. When you started shutting us out, one thing just kind of led to another."
My eyes roll in disbelief. Is he serious?
"You and I never talked about what happened between us on that awkward night, and I don't know! Kat made me feel comfortable...wanted even. Fuck! I'm so stupid. People make bad decisions when they're grieving and drinking. You have to know this wasn't the real me, Kingston. I promise you, it meant nothing!" Justin's frustration grows evident, his eyes brimming with tears.
I wince at the thought of that cringey night, recalling the unbearably embarrassing sexual encounter between us.
He continues, "I'm sorry, that's no excuse. I can't imagine life without you. I made a horrific mistake. Please, tell me what I can do to make this right."
I glance toward the house, noticing friends gathering outside, Kat among them, watching with concern and curiosity.
"You can't fix something that was never truly yours to begin with," I say under my breath. "Don't call me."
I frantically scan my surroundings, and see only one option: drive through the bushes and lawn. I shift my SUV into reverse, inching back to build momentum without hitting the car behind me. Justin reaches for the driver's door, pounding on it with his bronzed hands. "Kingston! Please! Don't leave! There's more I need to explain!"
Ignoring his pleas, I shift into drive and accelerate sharply, cranking the wheel left, careening wildly through the bushes and onto the pavement. I look back to see a breathless Justin chasing after me. I crank up the volume dial, and "I Think I'm OKAY" pulsates throughout the car. For a brief moment, I slow down, using my knee to steer and rip off the engagement ring Justin gave me one year earlier.
I forcefully throw the diamond ring back at him and stick my red nail-polished middle finger out the window as I speed away down the palm tree-lined road.
Glancing in the rearview mirror one last time, I catch sight of Justin. He's defeated and vulnerable in nothing but his jeans. I turn my focus back to the road and finally let my guard down. A black streak of mascara trails down my face as I sing along bitterly, "Something's fucking wrong with me."
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
____________________________
Author's Note: Welcome! I hope you enjoy reading Confessions of a Twenty-Something City Girl as much as I am enjoying writing it. I love connecting with you!! Be sure to engage and leave comments, tysm. If you enjoy it, please vote! <3
New chapters are released every Friday. I'll also be including *Chapter Chat* at the end of each chapter where we can discuss your thoughts on the story.
Happy reading, my loves!
xx, Mrs. Smith
*Chapter Chat* - How would you react if you walked in on your fiancé and best friend together in bed?
