Her face twists up, horror flashing across her features. “Mellie.”
“Yes, right. Mellie. I have to admit I’m out of the loop here, could you help me understand? Did… did my father put you up to this?”
When she laughs, it’s so high-pitched and squirrelly that I almost have to cover my ears; it echoes in my skull, the way nightmares begin.
“Your dad? No. As if that man would ever dare speak to a fan. Like we’re somehow beneath him, and not the entire reason for your career and success.”
“Well, then I don’t—”
“It was supposed to be me that night!” Her voice raises, sharp and grating. “In New York. The whole trip to the charity auction was my idea, I placed a fake name on the ballot, I was supposed to be the ticket you bid on. But the incompetent gala aide got the buzzers mixed up, and when I saw you walking toward the bar… toward her, I knew there’d been a mistake.”
I frown, confusion creasing my forehead. “I bid on Riley, though.”
“Oh, I know.” She scoffs, hatred pouring off her in waves. “I was behind the ticket counter when your friend placed your bid, and I switched up the buzzers. Or, at least, I thought I did. But somehow, you still found your way over to her.”
Her nose turns up as she bends, poking the back of Riley’s calf with the knife. “Riley. I couldn’t understand what you possibly wanted in her, so I followed you to see. Figured maybe if I learned what you saw in this freak, I’d be able to mimic it ten thousand times better. Who would choose scars and shyness over perfection?”
Perfection seems like a bit of a stretch, but sure.
“Imagine my fucking surprise when little miss agoraphobia lets you go down on her in a tattoo shop.” Pressing harder as her words get angrier, the blade pierces the material of Riley’s pajama bottoms, making her squeak in protest.
“You would’ve done the same,” Riley mutters. Her voice is weak, faded, and I glance at the blood pooling beneath her side again, fear creeping into my bones.
“I would’ve done more. Anything to get Aiden to see we belonged together. You left him! Opportunity of a lifetime, and you bolted.” Mellie’s eyes flash to mine, something wild and unhinged reflecting back at me. “She didn’t deserve you, darling. Trash like her doesn’t deserve anything but to be taken out.”
Nostrils flaring, I clench and unclench my jaw, her words slowly processing in my mind. “So, you started the rumor.”
She grins. “Started the rumor, made sure it spread through every online platform, leaked names and pictures. You guys did a good job trying to scrub the evidence away, but the Internet is forever, baby. I knew once people heard, they’d never stop talking about it.”
Nerves somersault in my stomach, flipping over and over as the realization sets in. I can barely process what this stranger is saying, much less the fucking gravity of what she’s done—what she’s ruined.
Three years of our lives, completely wasted.
All because some bitch thought she deserved my time.
Tilting her head, a wicked smile spreads over her mouth as she looks at Riley. “I sent the envelope, too. Knew it’d freak you out. Didn’t think you’d kill yourself, but hey, that was a nice little bonus.” Her face stiffens, mouth mashing into a firm line. “Although, I was surprised to find out it was just another lie.”
My hand whips out as she begins sliding the knife down Riley’s leg, causing her to cry out in pain. I move to knock the weapon from Mellie’s hand, bringing the iron up, but she spins just out of reach, cackling as she points at me.
“Don’t try to be a hero, Aiden. It’s beneath you at this point. We all know you’re not a good guy.” She leans forward, tapping my chin with the blade, and grins. “Like I said, I’m trying to help you. Clearly, you’ve fallen for Riley’s little innocent victim act, and have lost sight of what’s important.”
“I haven’t lost sight of anything,” I say, resting the iron on my knee. The cool metal of her knife against my chin is grounding, keeping me focused despite Riley’s whimpers. “Though I’m feeling pretty enlightened right now.”
She groans, pulling back to glare at Riley again. “I heard your confession at your show tonight. I’d planned on flying to New York to be with you, but I knew as soon as I heard that you’d failed in your mission and needed me to help. That’s why I grabbed her, and brought her back here. Thought it would be poetic to end her life where you woke up this morning. I read between the lines, baby. Don’t worry. I know what you need.”
“What I need,” I say, speaking slowly in the hopes of distracting her, “is Riley.”
Mellie inhales, but Riley doesn’t stir. Her face is so pale, coated in sweat, that I wonder if she’s even conscious.
“You don’t know what you’re saying,” Mellie insists, shaking her head.
“I do. Whatever you think there is between us, I’m in love with Riley. I have been since I first saw her, I think.” Pausing to roll the words around in my mouth, my chest warms as they settle, permeating my skin like they belong. “Whether or not you’d switched your tickets at the auction that night, I would’ve found my way to her eventually.”
The scream that splits the air makes me flinch, dropping the iron as a body hurls in my direction; I’m not expecting to be tackled, so I go down easy, my head smacking hard against the floor. Mellie looms over me, thrashing as she straddles my hips and grips her knife in one hand, using the other to drive her fist into my face.
“You’re supposed to be with me,” she screeches, punctuating each word with a punch. “I’m your biggest fan, I’m willing to do anything for you, but you’re going to choose her?”