Page 76 of The Meeting
* * *
Kailynn’s handthreaded through Chase’s as they walked toward her apartment. They had just gotten back from a dinner together and were about to go watch a movie when they spotted someone standing near her front door. Chase pulled her to his side as they approached, as neither of them could make out who it was.
As they got closer, Kailynn inhaled sharply. It was Jessica.
Traitor.
“I have nothing to say to you,” Kailynn said. She walked past Jessica with Chase still holding her hand as she used her other hand to unlock the door.
“Kailynn, please talk to me. I need to explain.”
Kailynn whipped around. “To explain what? How you were stealing from my company? How I have barely made enough to pay my own bills while you took what was mine? How you werefuckingmy boyfriend?”
Chase stood off to the side, not letting go of Kailynn’s hand, which he had a firm grip on. Part of her wondered if he thought she might attack Jessica. He wasn’t entirely wrong; the thought had crossed her mind. But Jessica wasn’t worth it. And to think, she gave up her friendship with Abi in high school for this bitch.
Karma came for her.
“I can’t explain what happened except to say I fell in love with him. He suggested the extra paychecks, and it was when I was going through that financial trouble a few years back. I thought they were loans to pay back, but then he told me I didn’t need to.”
“So you just thought it was okay that we were paying you for far more than the work you were putting in and no taxes were being taken out? And behind my back?” Kailynn tossed a hand in the air for emphasis.
“I didn’t understand what was happening. I thought he was pulling the taxes out, and I just didn’t see the details.”
Kailynn laughed loudly, but it was an ugly laugh. “Oh right. You expect me to believe that?”
“It’s the truth. I didn’t think about it. I was stupid.”
“You’re right. You were stupid. Especially to fall for a guy like Drew. I was stupid enough to do it, and you knew all the problems he and I were having while you were screwing him behind my back. And in my apartment. Just like Sheila.”
Jessica looked at her strangely. “Who’s Sheila?”
Kailynn looked at Chase, who only shrugged. “You don’t know about Sheila?”
“No. Who is she?”
Kailynn almost felt sorry for her, but the feeling quickly diminished when she thought about everything Jessica had done to her.
“Sheila is the other woman Drew was fucking. The woman he brought to the mediation, who he had also been writing checks to, who he was also fucking in our apartment.”
Jessica’s face turned sheet white. “You’re lying,” she whispered.
Kailynn’s voice softened, and she rubbed her eyes. Apparently, Jessica’s karma had come for her too. “I’m not.”
Jessica looked between Kailynn and Chase.
Chase shook his head. “She’s not. It was in all the documents. He paid her off just like he paid you.”
Jessica inhaled sharply. Tears had gathered in her eyes. “I’m so sorry, Kailynn. I hope one day you can forgive me.”
Then she turned and stalked off with her fists clenched.
Kailynn looked up at Chase before turning her attention to Jessica, who was sliding into her car.
“Is it terrible of me to say that I hope she kicks him in the balls?”
“Ooh.” He cringed. “Normally I wouldn’t condone that behavior, but he has it coming for him.”
Jessica peeled out of the lot as they keyed themselves into Kailynn’s apartment.
