Chapter 2

My hand stops on the zipper.

Ryan says it like it is nothing.

"It was just a bet. I lost, so I had to do it."

"If you hadn’t thrown a fit and walked off at the courthouse, none of this would’ve happened."

"Be good. I already got the papers ready for Monday to end my marriage with Stella. Once that’s done, I’ll marry you."

I stare at him and suddenly remember.

Every single time we tried to get married, something went wrong.

His car broke down. His ID went missing.

This time, when we were finally ready, they started that stupid game again.

But when it was Stella's turn, everything went smoothly.

It felt like even God didn't want us together.

Stella grins beside him.

"His punishment last time was making sure you two couldn’t get married three times. And he actually stuck to it."

I look at Ryan, unable to believe it.

So the three failed appointments were all planned.

He ruined every one on purpose.

And every time, I blamed my own bad luck like an idiot.

Ryan sees my face change and reaches for my hand.

"Babe, I didn't tell you because I knew you'd get mad. Relax. We'll go again Monday. It'll work this time."

I yank my hand away. I'm laughing but tears are streaming down my face.

"Go again for what? So you two can play another round? So you can humiliate me again?"

"You two make me sick."

"We're done. Play your games with each other. I'm out."

I grab my suitcase and head for the door.

Ryan tries to block me, but then Stella's voice rings out.

"Three, two, one, freeze!"

The game begins again.

His footsteps stop.

I drag my suitcase out and don't look back.

...

Over the next few days, I get ready for New York.

The doorbell rings. I think it's the movers.

I open the door. It's Ryan.

I'm actually surprised.

In every fight we ever had, I was the one who gave in first.

So when he holds out a box with the perfume that's been sitting in my cart forever and asks me to forgive him, I waver.

I hate myself for it, but I do.

I take the box and open it.

A jack-in-the-box clown pops out in my face.

I scream and throw it across the hall.

I hear loud laughing from the stairwell.

Stella steps out, laughing so hard she holds her stomach.

"Don't be mad at him, Emma. That was his punishment for losing. I can't believe this idiot actually did it!"

My chest goes cold.

Ryan laughs and reaches for my hand.

"Okay, that's enough. Come home with me."

I pull away. "I told you. We're done."

His smile fades.

"Keep acting like this and it's gonna get ugly."

Like I should be grateful he even came.

I'm so tired.

"I really don't want to be part of your games anymore."

"It's just a game. Why are you acting like this?"

He looks genuinely confused.

But then his eyes land on something inside my apartment and the confusion turns to smugness.

"So this is you breaking up with me? Keeping my stuff and Stella's stuff so you can sit here and cry over us?"

I follow his gaze to the box of things I packed up in the corner.

Our vacation photo from last year is sitting on top.

I was going to return it all.

I push the box toward him.

"This is your stuff. Both of yours. Take it."

His face hardens. "You're serious?"

Stella finally speaks up.

"Emma, you're seriously dumping him over a game? It was just a joke."

I look at her.

"I don't want to play. And I don't think it's funny."

"Why do you two get to play while I'm the one who always gets hurt?"

"You used my things as stakes. You turned my dignity and my life into part of your game."

I push another box toward Stella.

"Take it. We're done."