Lizzie glances back and forth between Blake and Audrey. With a small sigh, she says, "I'd already invited her before I realized you had a girlfriend. You know I planned this months ago."

I swear, if Blake's face turns any redder, lasers will start shooting from his eyes like Cyclops. His fists are shaking at his sides, and I take a step back, willing myself to become one with the background. "Then you should have known I want nothing to do with her," he growls.

"Dude!" Ajay looks offended, with his gaping mouth and wide eyes, and I can't say I blame him. Audrey is his sister, and if Blake didn't tell him what happened, he has no way to know how much hurt she caused.

Blake shakes his head. "Look, she's my ex for a reason. I'm not about to rehash it here, but I find it in very poor taste to have her here, especially when I made sure everyone knew I was bringing Kelly. Way to make my girlfriend feel welcome." Then, turning to Lizzie, he added, "Oh, and Kelly was there for me when I had Covid. The least you could have done was acknowledge it. Ignoring that and inviting Audrey here was completely inappropriate."

"Can we not do this here?" Lizzie asked, lifting her hands in a placating gesture. "It's done, and I don't want to spoil the day."

Eyes bulging and chest heaving, Blake appears as if he's ready to blow a fuse. "Are you freaking kidding me? SHE'S MY EX GIRLFRIEND. What were you thinking?"

Ajay unexpectedly takes my arm and loops it through his, leading me through the sliding glass door and into the backyard. As he pulls me away, he whispers, "It's better if you aren't around for this, trust me. Blake is going to explode in a minute, and he would feel bad if you witnessed it."

While I'm sure Ajay thinks he's doing me a favor, it doesn't sit well with me that he would try to hide this side of his best friend from me. Part of being with someone is knowing them at their best and worst. Not that o want to see it, but I'm going to find out sooner or later anyway.

I'm about to tell him as much when Audrey loudly interrupts. "Let her see for herself what he's like."

Why is she even here? If I was a confrontational person, I'd start pulling hair. But I'm not, even though I'm totally fantasizing what it would be like to slap that sneer from her face.

Again, someone verbally beats me to the punch. This time, it's Blake's cousin, and for the life of me, I can't remember her name as her face contorts into a snarl and her eyes shoot daggers at Audrey. "Oh, shut up. I don't know what you did, but Blake deserves better. He was upset for months after you two broke up. I told Aunt Lizzie not to invite you."

Yikes. It's nice to know someone in this family doesn't like her or fall for her antics. And Audrey seems to share an equal loathing as she plants her hands on her hips and glares at Blake's cousin. "No one asked you."

"Oh, my god, shut it!" Ajay shouts. "She's here because we all grew up together, regardless of what happened. Can we all try to be civil for Blake's sake? We're supposed to be celebrating his birthday, not throwing down in a cat fight. And in case anyone cares, this is Kelly."

I don't have words to express my gratitude for Ajay's words. I don't know him from Adam, and he's only met me the one time, yet already, I can tell he's a good friend to Blake.

Blake's cousin inhales a deep breath. Then she expels it and turns a kind, hazel gaze on me, wearing a genuine smile. She's even prettier in person, but unlike Audrey, her beauty isn't in my face or overstated. Her eyes almost sparkle like one of those girls in a cartoon, and she carries herself with a graceful elegance that says she's confident, but not full of herself. She extends her hand toward me as she introduces herself. "Hi, I'm Nikki. I've heard so much about you."

"Good things, I hope?" I chuckle nervously, aware of Audrey's stare boring holes into my side.

Nikki tugs on my hand and brings me to a set of chairs beneath a teal and yellow umbrella, a few feet from the pool. Nearby is an open grill and a folding table with meat ready to cook. Birthday presents in colorful wrapping paper sit on another table, beside an array of vegetables, fruit, and pastries. The pool has a stone border, which curves into a rock fountain in the corner of the backyard, sending a steady stream of water cascading over the ledge. Palm trees and plants fill the open yard, and on the other end is a small garden. I can imagine vegetables growing in the fall, ripe and huge. It's clear that more care and love have gone into the backyard than the cold, sterile interior.

Once we're seated, she reaches into a giant cooler next to her and pulls out a bottle of water, which she hands to me. Then she takes another and twists off the cap before responding. "Blake has nothing but wonderful things to say about you. You're all he's talked about since June. He also told me about how you stayed with him through quarantine while he was sick."

"It was nothing," I mumble, downing a gulp of cold water that does nothing to dispel the heat in my cheeks at the unexpected praise.

"It's not nothing," she insists in a conspiratorial tone. "He is the most stubborn person when he's sick. As a doctor, he's a terrible patient."

I believe it. He's also grumpy, but I don't mention it. It was endearing in a charming kind of way. Even when he griped, he tried to make sure I was okay or not lonely during all those hours he slept.

Audrey scoffs and crosses her arms over her chest. "Is that it? I brought food."

"You also banged on the door so loud, everyone on the block probably heard you," I snap, irritated with how she's trying to make this about herself.

I read once that rom-coms always make the ex out to be petty and spiteful, disregarding the fact that former lovers get along all the time. While there is a ring of truth to this, these are also tropes for a reason. Audrey is the walking, talking proof of a mean girl with too much money and privilege. I wouldn't be surprised if she bullied her peers and kicked puppies for fun.

She arches a delicately plucked eyebrow and curls her lip over her teeth. "You can delude yourself into thinking you have something special with Blake, but sooner or later, he'll drop you. Did he tell you about the girl he dumped before prom so he could take someone else?"

My heart freezes, and Audrey's mouth curves into a smirk. "Oh, he didn't tell you. It's okay. You aren't the first woman to fall for his charm, and you won't be the last."

"Audrey!"

Ajay is staring at her as if he's never seen her while Nikki seeths, visibly grinding her teeth. And here I am, trying so hard to push her words out of my head. Audrey is clearly desperate to get Blake back, and I want to believe he wouldn't do something so shallow. I've been wrong about him in the past, and I have no reason to believe someone so conniving and awful. But then, there's a little voice in the back of my mind that wonders if there's any truth to this, no matter how much I want to deny it.

"You need to leave," Nikki growls, springing to her feet and clenching her fists at her sides.

"I was invited," she shot back, moving so close into Nikki's personal space, their noses are almost touching.

"And now I'm uninviting you," Nikki replied in a harsh tone. "Get lost."

"No."

As if a piece of elastic snapped, Nikki shoves Audrey, making her stumble backward. Ajay doesn't react in time to stop his sister from slapping Blake's cousin so hard, the crack echos over the splashing water from the trickling fountain. Nikki wastes no time in lunging at Audrey, sending them both to the ground. I flinch as they fall, watching Audrey's ankle roll and Nikki's knee connect to the hot cement, scraping a large patch of skin. The latter sits on the former, slapping and punching while Audrey grasps Nikki's hair while futilly kicking and flailing beneath her. After a moment, she dislodges herself from Nikki and they both spring back to their feet, still pulling hair and scratching at each other like a pair of cats in the rain.

It isn't until they crash into the folding table, sending presents and food in a heap, that the sliding door suddenly opens. Blake and his dad run out, followed by Lizzie, who's got her hands to her mouth in melodramatic fashion as she shrieks. "What's going on!"

Blake yanks Nikki away as Ajay wraps his arm around Audrey's waist, dragging her back. Marinade and sauce ooze in every direction, forming a puddle beneath the gifts and spreading outward. The women continue screaming profanities at each other, yelling so loud, it's impossible to discern what they're saying.

Nikki is the first to regain her composure, wriggling out of his grasp and brushing a lock of hair out of her face that had come loose from her hair tie. Her eyes were wild and blazing, ready to shoot balls of fire like little bazookas. Scrapes trail her cheeks where Audrey raked her nails across her skin. Directing her attention to Lizzie and yanking the hem of her shirt over her mid-riff, she said, "I told Audrey to leave, and she refused. She was disrespectful to Kelly and trashing Blake behind his back."

Audrey flips her hair and sniffs. She didn't look much better; her shirt was torn and one of her acrylic nails is missing. Her curls are a tangled mess, putting Medusa to shame. "Please, it's so obvious Kelly is only with him for his money. We're all thinking it. I mean, look at her," she says, indicating me with a dramatic flair of her arm. "She's a hot mess. I wouldn't be surprised if she lives in a double wide trailer somewhere and living off welfare while our tax dollars are spent on free benefits. The least she could do is buy a decent pair of shoes that don't look like they came from a dumpster."

The words are so hateful, instantly reminding me of every girl I ever went to school with. I had no money growing up, and everyone picked on me for my second and third-hand clothes. A guy even told me I looked like a man in my flannel shirt in the winter months, and that no one wants to date a masculine girl.

Tears pool in my eyes, and I swallow hard, doing my best to maintain a tough facade. I will not give her the satisfaction of knowing she won.

Blake's glare is harder than I've ever seen it, even when Audrey harassed him at his house while he was sick. "Get the fuck out."

Lizzie gasped. "Blake!"

He whirled on his mother. "Don't even start. You should have made Kelly feel welcome, but instead, you barely glanced at her. You invited my ex-girlfriend, even though I told you months ago I want nothing to do with her. She cheated on me and came crying when her fling ended. I refuse to be caught up in any more of her drama. I'm ashamed of you, and I hope you are too."

The silence that follows is painful and tense. Everyone's mouth is ganging open, mine included, as they all stare. He soon appears by my side and takes my hand in his before harshly adding, "Thanks for the party." Then he pulls me along and says, "Let's go."

We hurry through the house and toward his car. As he unlocks it, Lizzie runs after us, calling out to him. "Blake, stop!"

He rolls his eyes and clenches his fist goldson bf the keys for a moment, arms and shoulders trembling. Expelling a shuddering breath, he gives me the keys and whispers, "Get in the car."

I don't need him to tell me this twice. I slide inside and shut the door, wincing as the hot leather burns my thighs. I crawl over the console and settle into the driver's side so I can start the engine, and welcome cold air blows into my face. As I wait for Blake to finish speaking with his mother, I climb back to my seat and roll down the window a fraction to release the built-up heat. Their voices carry inside before I can close it again and mute their conversation.

"Honestly, how was I supposed to know she cheated on you," Lizzie demanded. "You never tell me anything."

"I shouldn't have to! My personal life is none of your business, and if I want to keep that private, you need to respect that. Did you ever consider that I didn't want to bring Ajay into my drama? Audrey is his sister, and he doesn't deserve to be in the middle of all that. You had no right to invite her."

"And so you bring over trailer trash instead? I'm sorry, but Audrey is right about one thing. A girl like her is only out to get your money."

Blake rams a hand through his hair. "You don't even know her!"

"I don't need to!" she shouts back. "She's nothing more than a drain on society. Does she work?" When Blake doesn't respond, she continues. "I didn't think so. Every time you fall for someone, you're blinded by your feelings when you get caught up in your emotions. And even though what Audrey did was wrong, she's right that Kelly isn't for you. I could see from the moment you two walked in, how horribly mismatched you are."

"You're unbelievable," he snapped. "She's never once asked me to pay for anything, and she's the most genuine person I've ever met. She cares about people, and unlike you, her dad and her best friend brought me into their circle immediately. They're nice people, and your judgment is harmful and unwelcome."

"Get off your high-horse, already. I know exactly what you were like in high school, stringing all those girls along and having their mothers call me. Maybe you've finally learned to commit, but you still don't know how to pick 'em. I don't want her here again."

Blake's ears and face are red, and his voice dips into a deep pitch. "Fine, but don't call me or do anything to reach out. I am not the person I was fifteen years ago, and I refuse to listen to you insult my girlfriend. It's my choice to date her, and it's my life to live. Stay away from me."

Without waiting for her response, he stomps back to the car and plops down, slamming the door shut. His hands clench so tight around the steering wheel, his knuckles turn white. After a few ragged breaths, he backs out of the driveway.

I discreetly close my window and stare outside, unable to contain the fat tears that splash onto my shirt. Blake's hand finds mine, and he interlaces our fingers together. I don't look at him -- I can't. He didn't deny who he used to be, and though I know he's nothing like that now, I wonder how many lives he affected, how many girls have suffered at the hands of their bullies -- and him. It's not right, and no amount of time makes those scars go away. I want to scream and wail, to find those women and hug them because I know exactly how they feel.

He plants a kiss to my knuckles and sighs. "I'm so sorry. You're a good person. Don't let anything they said get to you."

My chest aches in humiliation and self-loathing. It's difficult to breathe, as if his family kicked me in the ribs and trampled on my heart. Another tear falls before I can stop it, and my words come out in a gravelly sob. "If I could work, I would. I can't help my anxiety."

"Sh-sh-sh, I know. I didn't know my mom would be so awful. You didn't deserve that. Nothing she and Audrey said is true."

"Not even the part about you and all those women?"

I didn't mean to ask, but it's too late. And if I could take it back, I wouldn't, because it wouldn't be fair to all the women he hurt. Perhaps they can't speak up right now, all these years later, but I can be their voice.

Releasing my hand, Blake places it back on the steering wheel and watches the road. A muscle twitches in his jaw, and I'm almost afraid he won't answer. After a moment, he replies, "I was a very different person in high school. I played basketball, I had a lot of popular friends, and I wasn't as nice as I could have been. I didn't actively bully anyone, but I didn't stop my friends either. I had a different girlfriend every other month, all shallow and no substance. Then I got into college and med-school, and I learned very quickly that I'm no one in the grand scheme of things. If I want anything, I have to earn it, and I wish I'd known that in high school. Grades weren't just given to me anymore, and I didn't want to leave med school, knowing I didn't give it my best. And it wasn't until I started dating Audrey that I asked myself why I kept dating materialistic women."

He slows to a stop at a traffic light and rests his head back. He's quiet as cars zip through the intersection. With every moment the light remains red, the silence stretches until it's unbearable. When it turns green, he presses on the gas and resumes his train of thought. "I wanted to settle down, even considered marrying her, but when it was all said and done, I saw an opportunity to reflect on myself and be better. I don't want to be that man who doesn't commit, and I hate who I was as a kid. I should have been nicer, even if I wasn't interested. When I met you, I was drawn to your humor and honesty. And I don't care about money. It doesn't buy happiness."

There is raw truth in his tone -- he's bared his soul to me, knowing what I've been through and how hard it is for me to trust. He's admitted to being the embodiment of the people who destroyed me and my dignity.

I care about him, and I'm happy he was honest, but then there's the issue of his family. No matter what, they will always be around in one form or another, and I'll have to tolerate their barbs every time they come into the picture. My mental and emotional health is so fragile, I'm not sure if I can handle it, even if Blake does treat me well.

The answer to all of this is in front of me, and it takes all of my effort not to weep while he drives. I know what I need to do, but I don't have the courage to say it, to tell him that we need to break up for the sake of my sanity.

Okay, so... we've still got a few chapters left, so I'm going to ask that you all bear with me to the end. This was an emotionally difficult chapter for me to write. Whenever people think that this is all over the top, I tend to agree, BUT I know these tropes do exist for a reason. I lived through the bullying and materialistic classmates, and I will always do my best to give victims a voice and say that bullying is NEVER okay. And even if a person changes (and I DO believe people can change), it doesn't erase actions that leave permenant, emotional scars that will never heal.

Thank you all so much for reading!