Page 115 of Broken Butterfly
“Fuck you!” Jayson hurls the words at Julien, then bores his eyes into me. “You say you choose Ryder over me? Well, I hope you fucking choke on it, Liz. I’m not going to stand around and watch him live the life that was supposed to be mine. So fuck you both!” Jayson yells. He shoves past Julien and storms out.
Ryder turns around and enfolds me in his arms as I finally break into giant, racking, ugly sobs. I just lost my best friend, the boy who was my first love, the father of my child.
Fallon rubs up and down my back as Julien puts his arm around me and Ryder. “Liz, it’s going to be alright. He’ll regret every word he said to you.”
“No, he won’t,” I cry, knowing that this is the end of my and Jayson’s story. There’s no coming back from this for us.
Chapter 35
Christmas Day
Merry Fucking Christmas morning, I think to myself, channeling my inner Fallon. What a godawful mess. What was supposed to be a happy time filled with family and friends is now just one big depressing fiasco. I brought Elizabeth back to the house and put her in my bed. I held her all night as she sobbed brokenly. Her jagged, mournful whimpers cut me deep, and I felt useless because I was helpless to comfort the woman I love. She cried so long, she literally passed out from exhaustion.
Meredith, Brea, and Jamie took over for me and have been watching over Elizabeth while she sleeps so I can explain to my distraught parents what happened. Fallon and Trevor are livid and want to find Jay and beat the shit out of him. Julien called a little while ago. Apparently, Jayson left this morning. Like packed a suitcase, hopped in his truck, and disappeared. Jayson told his parents he wasn’t coming back for a while. He’s not going back to CU. Freda is hysterical.
“You know I can track down that motherfucker,” Fallon announces, throwing his phone down on the couch where Trevor is sitting.
“It’s Elizabeth’s choice on what to do, so let it go for now.”
“Do you think he would have really hurt her?” Trevor asks. We all look at each other. Coming into the room and seeing Jayson put Elizabeth in a chokehold—my fists curl into tight balls just thinking about that. I will forever be grateful to Julien for stepping in and protecting her.
“God, Trevor. Before last night, I would have sworn on my life that Jay would never do something like that to her. But, fuck…” I stop, looking down at the floor, not able to finish.
“He’s not getting within ten feet of her ever again,” Fallon spouts at his brother.
“I want to agree with you, Fal, I do. But it’s not our decision. If he comes back and she wants to see him, that’s her call. But she won’t be alone with him in the room if I have anything to say about it.”
“Damn straight, she won’t.”
The front doorbell rings and I go to open it. I’m expecting Julien and Elijah. He said that they were going to stop by and check on Elizabeth.
As soon as I open the door, I let out a string of curses. Can this day get any worse? It’s not even noon yet.
“What the fuck do you want? You’re not even supposed to be here,” I tell my unwanted visitor. Venom and loathing coats every word out of my mouth.
Maria takes a step back, her shoulders hunched over. “Please, I’d like to speak with Lizzie. I heard you both were in town and there’s something I need to talk to her about.”
“Hell no, Maria. You have been nothing but a complete bitch to Elizabeth. You’re also in violation of your restraining order, so if you don’t leave right now, I’m calling the police. Actually, Fallon is inside. Perhaps I should let him deal with you.”
Maria’s brown eyes whip up to mine, pleading. “Please, Ryder. I’m not here to cause any trouble. I swear. I just need to speak with Lizzie.Please. It’s important.”
I stare hard at the girl I used to date. The girl who used to be Elizabeth’s best friend. The best friend who betrayed her. The girl who posted those indecent and very fake pictures of Elizabeth online. “No.”
“Ryder, please. I’m only in town for today visiting my parents before I have to go back to Charlotte.”
“I said no, Maria.”
A hand touches my back and Elizabeth comes around my side. I wrap a protective arm around her. Her eyes are swollen and red-rimmed, the purple bags below them weighing heavy against her pale skin.
“Maria,” Elizabeth greets her monosyllabically.
“Are you sick? You look awful.”
Elizabeth scoffs and stares numbly back at her once best friend.
“I think it’s time for you to go now,” I tell Maria, backing up with Elizabeth, preparing to shut the door in Maria’s face.
“No! Wait! I need to speak with you, Lizzie. Please,” she pleads once again.
