One More Night

Chapter 12

Tessa

I hear my phone buzzing and I take it from the nightstand. I open the message from an unknow person and I read it.

"Maybe you are asking why your boyfriend is so cold with you? Well, all your friends know the truth. So, ask them if you want to know what's happening. Kisses, Tessie!"

I get up and I show him the message.

"What the fuck is this, Hardin?" I look at him and he avoids to look at me. "Can you explain me why an unknown number is sending me this?!" I look at him and he stays silent. Fuck. "Ok! If you won't explain what's happening, I'm going downstairs to ask them what's happening with you!" I quickly take my clothes from the floor and I get dressed.

"You are drunk, Tess."

"It's all you can say?! What the fuck is wrong with you?"

"Tess..." he gets dressed too and he looks at me. "Let's talk about this tomorrow, when you will be sober. Ok?"

"No! I don't want to talk tomorrow." I yell at him. "I want to know now what you did. I need an explanation, now!"

"Ok, ok. I want you to sit down, please!"

"Don't fucking tell me what to do. You've lied to me!" I look at him.

"Tess... Calm down! Let me explain everything."

"I'm listening."

"So... Do you remember the night when we were at Will's party? When we got there together?"

"Yeah."

"So, you were at the bathroom or in the kitchen and I made a bet with Will..." A bet?

"You did what?!" I feel my heart being heavy. And I have tears in my eyes. I can't believe he did this... "What... What bet?"

"I said that I'm going to make you fall in love with me. To make you stay here. I know everything is fucked up, Tess... But I never though I will have strong feelings for you."

"Jesus! You are crazy! And yeah, you fucked up everything! You are the biggest asshole! I thought you like me, but I'm disappointed and you really hurt me. I hate you! I don't want you anymore in my life. I started to feel something more for you, but this is for nothing. I don't want to see you ever again. I hate you! I hate you, Hardin Scott!" I yell at him and I just leave.

I go in the bathroom and I lock myself there. No, this can't be true. I thought he is being honest with me, but I was wrong. He is the biggest liar in this world. Why I had to fall in love with him? Why I always fall in love with bad boys? I trusted him, I presented him to my family and in the end, I find out that all was just a fucking bet. It's the last time when I trusted a man. I don't need anyone else in my life. I had enough and I will be fine single.

Before I leave, I will refresh my face with cold water. I need it. I enter in the bathroom and I wash my face and I leave downstairs. That's great. Zed and Karla are there. I walk to Molly and I try to act like nothing happened.

Tessa: "Molly?"

Molly: "Are you ok? What happened?"

Tessa: "I want to go home. Can you take me home, please?" I try to not burst in tears in front of everyone.

Molly: "What happened? Where is Hardin?"

Tessa: "I'm tired and I had too much alcohol. I want to go home. Please, just take me home."

Hardin: "Tess..."

Tessa: "Hardin, please, don't do this here."

Hardin: "I want you to listen me!"

Tessa: "I don't want to listen."

Karla: "Someone found out about your little bet, Hardin?"

Hardin: "Fuck off, Karla!"

Tessa: "She knew?!" I say pissed.

Karla: "Everyone on this couch knew about Hardin's bet. Well, except Molly and Landon."

Molly: "What bet? Jake?"

Karla: "Hardin and Will made a bet a few weeks ago. Hardin has to make Tessa fall in love with him, so she won't leave to France. It's easy, right?"

Tessa: "Jesus, people! All of you are crazy!"

Molly: "What the fuck is wrong with you, guys?! I thought we are friends! And you..." She points to Jake. "You disappointed me and I don't want to see you ever again!"

Jake: "Babe, let me ex..." Molly interrupts him.

Molly: "I don't need an explanation! Tess, let's go."

Thirty minutes later, we arrive home and we sit on the couch.

"It's true?"

"Yes. He was just messing with me. I am nothing for him..." I quickly wipe my tears. I don't want to suffer.

"It's ok, Tess!" She hugs me. As much as I would like to keep my feelings inside, I can't be like this. I love him and it hurts what he did. I start to cry and I'm glad I'm with Molly. "Shh, it's ok... He is not the only man in this world, Tess. You will find someone who will love you as much Hardin."

"You know? I love him. It's been ashort time since we are... were together, but I really love him... It willbe hard to forget everything..."

"You will be fine. You are a strong woman and you can forget him."

"I hope... I this I'm going to sleep. I'm too tired after what happened. If Hardin comes here, don't let him in. I'm done with him."

"I won't." Her phone is buzzing and she ignores it.

"It's Jake?"

"Yes. I'm done with him."

"Don't be mad at him. He didn't do anything bad."

"He knew about the bet, Tessa. He didn't tell me. It's not ok..."

"What Hardin did, it's worse than the fact Jake lied to you. So, don't be mad at him, please... Just forgive him. He didn't make a bet about you. All of this was about me."

"I will think about it."

"I'm going to sleep."

"Ok, good night."

"Good night."

I walk to my bedroom and I lock the door after me. I take off my dress and I just go to sleep. Even if I'm trying to be strong, I can't and I fall asleep crying.