Chapter 2
Ryden Foster was like a firecracker, one wrong move and he'd explode.
He yelled, "Zoey, are you tired of living or what? You think you can just post anything in the group chat? If you've got a death wish, just say so, but don't mess with me.
"Don't think just because you're about to marry Patrick that I won't have someone take you down. Push me too far and I'll take him down with you.
"I don't care how you do it, but delete those photos right now, or I'll make your life hell."
David Powell was always up to no good, but right now he was totally thrown off. His fiancée, the one his family had worked so hard to connect with, was in that group chat too.
David snapped, "Zoey, I've never done anything to you, right? So why are you dragging me into your mess with Patrick?
"Now my fiancée's family keeps saying they want to call off the engagement. Do you even know how much effort my family put into securing this alliance?
"If she really dumps me, it's all on you."
These two jerks were always hanging around Patrick, cracking dirty jokes about me whenever they got the chance.
Even if we just bumped into each other on the street, they'd immediately snitch to Patrick, acting like I was sneaking around behind his back. They were like dung beetles, never actually bite, just there to make your life miserable.
Now, instead of confronting Grace, the one who snapped the pics, they threw all the blame on me. No wonder David's fiancée wanted to break up, and the other couldn't even get a girl to look his way.
I tuned them out, deleted the chat, and messaged Patrick: [Honey, how's it feel playing someone else's mutt?]
Me: [So, what did she name you? Rocky? Max? Milo?]
Me: [Did she take you to get your shots yet? Or did she go all out and get you neutered?]
Me: [She got you a dog license, right? So what breed are you, bootlicker or loyal pup?]
Me: [At least she's got some public decency and knows to keep you on a leash when you're out. So when you drop a deuce on the sidewalk, does she scoop it up with a plastic bag, or just let you chow down on it yourself?]
Patrick's chat window just kept flashing 'typing...' but no message ever came through.
As I was plotting my next move to rile Patrick up, his mom, Leah, called me.
She said, "Zoey, I know you're pissed right now, but just take a breath, okay?
"His father and I already know about this. He called Patrick up to ask him about it.
"It's not what you think. They were just playing some kind of truth or dare game, and someone lost and had to take a punishment.
"But Patrick was definitely in the wrong here. When he gets back, I'll make sure his father gives him a good talking-to.
"I promise you, Zoey, there's nothing going on between Patrick and that woman. They just hang out a lot. Don't let it get to you."
My eyes stung, and all that pent-up grievance just crashed over me in a rush.
Before I could even get a word out, my phone started blowing up with notifications.
I lit up the screen and saw that the group chat was suddenly flooded with dozens of new messages.
Without thinking, I tapped in. Just like that, all my frustration was swallowed up by a tidal wave of fury.
Someone had actually dumped my boudoir pics into the group chat for everyone to see.
And the one behind it was Ryden.
"Leah, I don't think there's any room for misunderstanding here," I said, my voice icy.
Staring at those photos in the group chat, I ditched the polite act, stating coolly, "Your son's buddy just dumped my private boudoir photos into the group chat.
"I only ever let Patrick see those pictures. I'm supposed to be his fiancée, and he just tossed something that private out for everyone like it meant nothing. What am I to him, really?
"I'm sure now Patrick isn't just sticking up for that woman. He doesn't give a damn about me at all.
"There's nothing left to talk about. Let's just call off the engagement between our families."
"Wait, Zoey, just hear me out. Patrick, he—" Leah was still trying to explain.
I hung up on her without giving her a chance to explain.
Staring at those photos plastered all over the group chat, I was so mad I was about to explode.
I'd shot those pics a few months back. I wasn't totally naked or anything, but the outfits were pretty bold. Thankfully, the photographers knew what they were doing, so even if the vibe was sexy, there was no nudity, no sleazy vibes, just me showing off figure and my face.