Chapter 17: Public Meltdown

Julian's face twisted with rage as he stared at me like I'd just stabbed him in the back. "Julian Shepherd," I said, my voice sharp and loud, "you don't get to call me cheap. You cheated on me with my best friend in our new home. You're not just cheap. You're disgusting." I didn't care that people were stopping to look. I was done staying quiet. "You can screw around and still act like you're the victim, but I'm not allowed to move on? Seriously? What kind of man do you think you are?" He stood frozen, face pale, mouth slightly open. After a beat, he said, "Look, I know I messed up. What happened with Monica… I didn't mean to hurt you. But that doesn't mean you get to just sleep with someone like Arthur Sandlin." His tone changed, less angry now, more condescending. I laughed bitterly. "I don't need a warning from you about Arthur. And I sure as hell don't need your opinion on what I do with my life." "We're done. You and me? Over. I can sleep with whoever I want, and it's none of your