Part 53 (1/2)

”And he says I'm the crazy one,” I say with a humorless laugh. Shaking my head, I sigh deeply. I'm unsure if Caleb is telling the truth, but it all just makes sense. I didn't think Caleb could be so mean. He was a good dude. I knew him my whole life, and I always thought what happened was like a light switch flicking off. While I don't want to believe that someone who was supposed to love me could do this, the evidence is in the way Matty looked at me not an hour ago.

”Avery, I'm really sorry. And I wish you the best, I do. But I gotta go.”

”Of course, sorry. I was thinking,” I say quickly.

”It's fine,” he says softly. ”I hope you are doing well. I think of you often, and I stalk you a bit. You look like you're doing great. I'm happy for you.”

A grin pulls at my lips. ”Thank you.”

”And that Sinclair, man, he's one lucky dude.”

I smile. ”I'm pretty lucky myself.”

”Good, well, I'll let you go.”

”Okay, good luck to you.”

”Thanks. Stay in touch, okay?”

”Yeah,” I say and then the line goes dead.

Wow.

I really don't know what I think. I believe him. It all makes sense, but then what kind of monster does that? Why is Matty so jealous of me? Our family loves him. It makes no d.a.m.n sense. He's so unhappy with himself that he lashed out against me, and all I wanted was to be loved. d.a.m.n.

When my phone dings, I look down to see it's Jace.

Jace: I just walked in on my coach having phone s.e.x with my mom. I can't unhear that, Avery. I can't.

I sputter with laughter before I type back.

Me: Ew, sorry, but I can trump that, my friend.

Jace: Avery, he said he wanted to grasp her voluptuous booty. Omg. I just threw up.

I'm cackling at this point.

Me: Well, while that is disturbing, I found out my brother is gay.

Jace: ???

Jace: Matty?

Me: Yes.

Jace: I KNEW IT! Is it with Caleb? They were too sweet for each other.

Me: They were?

Jace: Ugh yes. Hey! What if that's the reason he was so mean to you? Like did what he did cuz he was really in love with your brother but they couldn't come out cuz everyone is so judgey and will hate on them. And your parents! AH THE HORROR! Them finding out their spoiled little brat of a son has a boyfriend! That will blow the roof of that stuck-up hockey club! The drama!

Me: You're having way too much fun with this.

Jace: I heard my coach tell my mom he wants to smother his face in her b.o.o.bs. I am trying to distract myself.

I close my eyes, unable to hold in the laughter. Regaining control, I type back.

Me: Wow. Okay, anyway, you're not totally off. I just got off the phone with Caleb.

Jace: Ah...b.u.mb.u.mb.u.m! The plot thickens, ex calls out brother's gay lover.

I pause.

Me: You never cease to amaze me.

Jace: I know, get on with it.

Me: Anyway, he claims that he never texted me after we broke up, that Matty did from his iMessage. That Matty professed his love for him and Caleb shut him down. Matty threatened to have my dad ruin his career. Caleb was bad into drugs and decided he didn't care.

Jace: Jesus, that s.h.i.+t could be on Lifetime.

Me: Exactly.

Jace: Do you believe him?

Me: I think so. He sounded sincere and it went down so bad, it was really unlike him.

Jace: Yeah, well, at least you know the truth.

Me: There is that.

Jace: Are you gonna confront him?

Me: I don't know, he just tried to kill me when I called him out.

Jace: What?

Me: It's nothing.

Jace: I swear to G.o.d, I'm gonna kill that dude.

Me: Thanks but no, and I mean, what would it do if I confront him?

Jace: Nothing, but it will make us all feel better if I knock his teeth to the back of his throat.

Shaking my head, I roll my eyes.

Me: Hockey players are so violent.

Jace: Yeah, yeah, but whatever, you're coming home soon.