Page 11 of Betrayed

Chapter Three

AJ hated herself. With her back to the pool, she wrapped the towel around her body. Why did she and Logan always have to go at it? She shouldn’t have responded to him the way she did. She wanted to treat him better. The bridge could never be mended if she always stooped to the same level of nastiness as he did.

She dried her face and hoped her eyes looked like she’d gotten too much pool water in them. However, everyone had seen that foolish interaction. Could she get away with storming out of the pool party the way Logan had?

Probably not.

Zara picked up her towel from the chair beside AJ. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.” Her roommate was going to notice the tension in her statement.

“I take it the words I couldn’t hear weren’t real nice?”

AJ snorted. “We’ve said worse. Don’t worry about it. Let’s go enjoy the fun. I want some of that pulled pork Brennan has been raving about smoking forever.” Maybe food would settle the turmoil in her stomach.

Will joined them, his face taut with tension. “Should I go after him?”

She shrugged. “Up to you. But did he tell you what happened after the car accident this morning?”

Will shook his head.

She gave him the shortest version possible, sticking to the facts.

Will drew in a sharp breath. “Maybe I should—”

“He likes to wallow by himself. The walk may do him some good. Maybe check on him on your way home?”

“I’ll do that.” Will put his arm across her shoulders and hugged her tight.

She leaned her head on him and fought another round of tears. But a hiccup of a sob slipped out.

“I’m sorry, AJ.”

“I know.” She was so grateful Zara had helped repair her friendship with Will.

Zara stood there staring, confusion wrinkling her brow.

AJ still hadn’t told her the whole truth, or much of it at all. She reached out and squeezed Zara’s forearm. “I promise I will tell you. I just …”

“It’s okay. Now’s not the time. Let’s get some food.”

And they did that. AJ bottled it all up and set it down at the feet of Jesus. He’d help her deal with it later.

The rest of the evening was more relaxed. AJ felt the weight in her heart but was able to enjoy time with her friends and co-workers.

She spent a good amount of time sitting on the side of the pool simply chatting with Megan, who had been through some tough times but was seeking God. AJ wanted to be there to help point her in the right direction. Not that she’d done a good job of that when Logan had been here.

Brennan called Megan over to play another game, so AJ got up and walked across the deck.

Will hopped out of the pool and approached her. “I think I’m going to head out and check on Logan. Just so you know how to pray for him, he had alcohol on his breath when I picked him up.”

“Still? Or is this new?”

“Newish.”

“Thank you for telling me.”

Will set his hand on her shoulder. “Seemed like you should know.”