My Scumbag Ex's Best Friend

Persistent

Adelaide

If there's one thing about this whole situation that's upsetting me more, it's how devastated I am about it, and seeing Raquelle brought it all to the surface again.

I even had to excuse myself and put an end to the fun day Veronica, Anice and I were having. Without an explanation, to make things worse.

I just promised them that I'd explain everything later.

With shaky hands, I reach for my phone so I can call an Uber. I never got to register for the other transport service, the one Antoine recommended that's allegedly 'better' overall. It'll just have to wait until later.

My vision is blurry because of the tears, and I wipe them away with the back of my hand, thankful that I went for waterproof mascara even though it's a bit of a pain to take off.

The phone slips from my hands when someone says my name behind me with an urgency that catches me off guard. "Addy."

I whirl around and see Everett walking toward me slowly, descending the steps with all the care in the world. His brows are furrowed and he looks concerned.

I'm so shocked at seeing him here that I forget that I'm in no state to be talking to anyone. I'm pretty sure I still have wet streaks running down my face.

I lower my eyes and say, "Everett. Hi."

Hi?

Embarrassment washes over me.

"Are you alright?" he asks, stopping less than a foot away from me. When he notices my phone on the ground, he moves to pick it up and his arm brushes against my leg on his way down. "Here."

"Thanks," I whisper, tightening my grip around it once he hands it to me.

"Are you alright?" he repeats.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I answer dismissively, hoping he can't tell that I was in tears just a few moments ago.

Silence falls upon us, and I try not to shift awkwardly because of how intently he's staring at me. I meet his gaze and he doesn't look away, not even when five seconds have passed.

O-kay.

"What a coincidence that you're here, too," I say after clearing my throat.

"I'm here with a friend," he replies in a level voice. "I saw you walk in. Leaving so soon?"

I didn't expect him to say this. "Yeah. I...Something came up and it's probably best if I head home."

"Do you need a ride?"

"No, no. I'll probably request a ride."

He slides his hands inside the pockets of his dress pants. "You don't have to do that. I can easily give you a ride back."

"I'd hate to bother you."

"It's not a bother."

I open my mouth to tell him that he really doesn't have to do this, but then I see Raquelle coming down the stairs, and she's heading directly toward me. I stiffen to the point where Everett turns to look over his shoulder.

I can't believe this.

"Addy," she says as soon as she's within earshot, "I've been thinking about this and I can't let you go, not until you understand what happened."

Heatedly, I say, "Raquelle, head back inside right now. I'm not going to get into this with you."

"Please," she says quickly, reaching my side and trying to reach for my arm. "You have to listen to me. I didn't mean for things to go that way. You have to believe me!"

I start backing away, despair washing over me. I can't believe that she's causing a scene here, in front of the country club. Everett is staring at us with a visibly shocked look on his face, and I just want the ground to open and swallow me whole right now.

"Please!" Raquelle cries. "You're my best friend and I don't know what to do without you! My family will disown me when they find out!"

I start walking away from her, unsure of where I'm even headed. Raquelle thankfully stays behind, but this has just made things so much worse.

Everett calls my name and catches up to me. I don't stop walking for a second. "Addy, do you need a ride home?"

I stop, look into his eyes, and nod. He closes his hand around my upper arm, his touch taking me by surprise, and guides me to where his car is parked.

Once we get there, he opens the door for me and I settle into the seat.

Oh my God.

I can't believe that just happened.

Everett starts the car and takes me away from this place. I see Raquelle seated on one of the steps when the car drives past with her head in her hands, a picture of true despair.

Is it bad that I don't care at all about her suffering? That I don't have it in me to feel a drop of sympathy for her?

How can she ask for my help after she betrayed me?

Am I really that big of an i***t that even Raquelle thinks that I'll just ignore what happened and continue being her friend like nothing happened? Or is it that she and Rick have never respected me at all?

Tears well in my eyes as a wave of fresh anger washes over me. I keep my eyes glued to the window and my body is turned slightly away from Everett.

Hot tears roll down my face. I raise my hand to wipe them away, hoping he's not looking at me. But they just keep coming, and then I'm forced to sniffle because I can't breathe anymore.

What a disaster.

Everett doesn't say anything, thankfully. I managed to control myself just as we reach Granny's house. He parks the car and pulls the brakes. The sun has just started to set, bathing everything in an orange glow.

I don't make a move to get out of the car and neither does he.

A few seconds later, he tells me, "I'm sorry about what happened."

Frowning, I turn to look at him, well aware that I probably look like a mess. Everett has a sincere look in his sparkling green eyes, and the way he's looking at me lets me know that there's so much more to his words.

"What do you mean?"

He lets out a breath and leans back. "About your friend." After a second thought, he adds, "Rick."

His words are a blow to my chest. I look away, unsure of what else to say beyond this point.

Of course, he knows what's happening.

He's Rick's best friend.

He starts to say, "I shouldn't have—"

"It's alright," I interrupt. "If you know about it, there's no point in pretending you don't. Thank you for bringing it up."

Everett stays silent for a couple of beats.

Then, he says, "He had no right."

"Yeah," I murmur, still staring at my lap. "He doesn't seem to think that way, though. Neither does she."

Before he can say anything else, a car parks right alongside others, and a few people I've never seen before step out. That's when I notice that there are cars parked all over the driveway.

It seems Granny's throwing some kind of party.

I turn to Everett and take my seatbelt off. "Thanks for the ride."

"You're welcome, Addy."

I step out of the car so we don't have a chance to say anything else to each other and head inside.

I've never felt more ashamed and humiliated in all my life.