You.
CHAPTER TWO
Monday
Violet
“Smile for the camera, Nutmeg.”
My Bengal cat blinks at me and glances around her new abode with lingering suspicion in her eyes. She doesn’t trust this place yet, and I can’t say I blame her. All week, I’ve felt as if something was off. I haven’t been able to decide if it’s the recent cataclysmic events of my life or something else that has me glancing over my shoulder every few seconds.
When I bought this house, I thought I’d be unpacking all my things in a haze of newlywed bliss. Instead, I’m here alone, screening all my calls and sending my ex’s texts straight to purgatory where I’ll never have to think of him again.
Shaking off those thoughts, I tap out a quick caption and post the selfie with Nutmeg to my Instagram account. Within seconds, I have hundreds of likes pinging in my notifications. The comments start flooding in from an army of strangers admiring the perfection of my life. They compliment my wardrobe, my smile, my posed snapshots of the few seconds where I can fake it just for them.
Cringing, I set the phone aside and rub Nutmeg’s ears. “It’s all going to be okay. You’ll see. I think we’re going to love it here.”
She stands up and swishes her tail in disagreement before walking away. This is what my life has come to. Talking to my cat in an empty house on a Friday night. If only my followers really knew what a disaster everything has turned out to be. I have everything I thought I ever wanted, but I’ve never felt more empty.
My phone rings while I’m pouring myself a glass of wine and my sister’s name flashes across the screen. I’ve been avoiding her calls a little too much, and I know she’ll freak if I don’t answer this one. While her intentions might be good, I just don’t want to hash out my feelings about the recent dumpster fire that has become my life.
“Hey.” I turn on the speakerphone and push open the screen door as I step onto the back patio.
“Hey yourself,” Valerie says. “I was about to send out a search team.”
“Sorry.” I sit down in my comfy new wicker chair and take a sip of my wine. “I’ve been unpacking all day.”
“You know I could have helped you. Just say the word and I’ll be there.”
“It’s okay.” I lean my head back and stare up at the stars. “I really wanted to do this on my own.”
The line is quiet for a pause, but it doesn’t take long for Val to get straight to the point.
“Are you holding up okay?”
“I’m fine,” I insist, even though it’s a lie.
“You’re allowed to have a breakdown,” she says. “You know that right? There’s nothing wrong with taking some time. The world won’t implode if their favorite model misses a few posts on social media.”
“I don’t need to have a breakdown.” I roll my eyes. “I just need… well, to be honest, I don’t know what the hell I need right now. But the last thing I want to do is talk about Scott or the wedding.”
Val is quiet again, and that can’t be a good thing.
A light flips on in the house next door, and I peek over the rim of my wine glass trying to catch a glimpse of my mysterious new neighbor. During the course of my move this week, I’ve met most of the neighbors except for the one on the left of me. Our houses are only about twenty feet apart, and I’ve seen a truck in the driveway often, but no sight of who’s actually living next door. And yet, the hair on the back of my neck stands up every time I look at that place. I just can’t figure out why.
“Were you even in love with him anymore?” Val asks.
“Huh?”
“Scott,” she prods. “Did you really want to marry him?”
“Honestly?” I blow out a breath. “I don’t know. I thought I did, but now that he’s out of my life, I’m not even sad about it. I just feel humiliated and betrayed.”
“You want to know what I think?” she murmurs.
“Not really.”
“Don’t be a bitch.” She laughs. “You just hate it when I tell it like it is. Someone in your life needs to.”
“Fine.” I keep my gaze on the house next door. The TV comes on, the faint sounds of an action movie playing inside. “Tell me what you think.”
“I think your entire life has been one big dog and pony show. You’ve always put so much pressure on yourself to live up to everyone else’s expectations. The perfect cheerleader. The perfect body. The perfect clothes and footballer jock boyfriend, even if he was a total douchebag.”
“Hey!” I gripe. “He wasn’t always that bad.”
“Yes, he was. Don’t you remember in high school how he used to torment anyone who even looked twice at you? You were always just a possession to him. A trophy.”
“Yeah, okay. Obviously, I’ve figured that out, and I’ve made some mistakes. But my life isn’t so bad.”
“Your life is glamorous as hell,” Val remarks dryly. “At least, that’s how it seems to everyone on the outside looking in. But are you even happy? Have you ever been?”
Her question feels like salt in an already raw wound. And it’s something I’ve thought about a lot since my life imploded six weeks ago. But I can’t admit it just yet. Because without the illusion I’ve created, I don’t know what’s left.
“Just give it some thought,” she says.
“Thanks.” I finish off my wine and set it aside. “I’ll do that.”
“How are you liking the new place?”
“I like it.” I shrug. “But it’s strange living alone in a new town.”
“Strange how?”
“I don’t know.” I lean back and close my eyes. “Something just feels a little off. I can’t explain it. All week, I’ve had this weird feeling like someone’s watching me. I’m probably just being paranoid.”
“Do you think it’s Scott?” She sounds alarmed.
“I don’t know,” I admit. “It could be, but I haven’t seen him around since I threatened to mace his ass.”
Val chuckles under her breath. “Well, if you ever feel unsafe just call me. I’m only twenty minutes away. We can have a pajama party at your new place.”
“That sounds really nice.” I smile through the phone. “Maybe once I get everything unpacked.”
“It’s a date,” she says. “Now go get some sleep. You sound exhausted.”
I tell her that I will and then disconnect the call, but instead of going inside, I stay out on the back patio until the chill of the plummeting temperature bites into my skin.
The lights in the house next door have since gone out, and the whole neighborhood is quiet and still. But when I glance up at the neighbor’s window, my breath catches in my chest.
Either I’m really losing my mind, or I just caught him watching me from his bedroom.
CHAPTER THREE
Tuesday
Zander
“Here, kitty, kitty.”