Read Bent for Free Online

both of them looking confused more than anything. "And I couldn't let you go to school knowing that I can't do it."
                  Her gaze was fixed on the straps of her purse. "I guess I have more faith in us than you do." And with that, she reached for the door handle and slipped into the night.
                  He thought about following after her, but he told himself that this was his decision. His mistake. There was nothing good that would come from him prolonging the split. He sat there watching her sulk into the house. It took him another ten minutes before he could pull away.
     
    When he didn't answer, she pressed the issue, "You promised me the truth. Did you leave me because I was going to school?" The staccato in her voice told him it was do or die time. He looked up and saw tears welling along her lower eye lid.
    "No," he mumbled rubbing the palm of his hand down his face.
    After taking a few deep breaths, she whispered, "Okay. So why?"
    He glanced over his shoulder, "Does it matter now?"
    "Yes, it matters. You wanted to know what I need so things aren't weird between us. I need this." The strength in her voice told him that while she didn't know about Caleb, she knew something.
    Micah reached over to wipe the tear that was rolling down her cheek, "Because I cheated on you and couldn't tell you."
     
    The truth was out. The truth she'd heard from friends within months of leaving finally came from his mouth. She'd imagined this day many times over the years. Never had she expected to feel relief at him admitting what he'd done. She'd envisioned slapping him, throwing things at him, even breaking down in tears but never relief.
    Julia pressed him for details. She didn't want to know and it wouldn't change anything but she needed to know. Micah hesitated at first, pleading with her to leave it alone. He told her it wasn't anyone she knew and it wouldn't change anything. When she stood to leave, he started talking.
    It happened at a party at Micah's brother's place. They'd been fighting about Julia leaving for school and Micah started drinking. The next morning, he woke up with one of his brother's friends tangled in the sheets with him. He promised that was everything, that he'd never cheated with her other than that one night.
    A tear rolled down Micah's cheek as he begged her to forgive him. For cheating. For lying to her. For making her think she was to blame for anything.
    "Thank you," she whispered in his ear as she pulled him close to her. There was no anger, just love. It was a different type of love than she used to feel for him but it felt good to know that everything was out in the open.
    He pulled away when he felt her forehead against his temple. "There's more."
    Julia stomach turned. She'd gotten this far without getting upset. What more could there be?
    "I'm so sorry, baby." Micah's voice was barely audible, "You know how you thought Caleb was mine and Carly's?"
    Everything she'd had to drink started to make its way up from her stomach. "He is?"
    "Oh, God no!" Micah shot up, "I told you that earlier. But... I'm so sorry..." he started pacing from one end of the table to the other, wringing his hands in his hair. "That's the night that Caleb... you know..."
    Julia twisted on the top of the picnic table and jumped off the other side. She needed to get away. There were too many emotional swings for her body to process. She retreated to the picnic table to finish the conversation. "Did you know... that night?"
    "Yes," he admitted. Still pacing, Micah didn't make eye contact.
    The anger she thought she'd feel had arrived. "You are a filthy coward," she spat. "Tell Austin and Lizzie I can't make it tomorrow night. I'm sure you'll have no problem coming up with an excuse."
    She flinched as their shoulders touched when she plowed past him. She had the answers she needed. It was time to go. She didn't see Annie as she walked through the bar so she kept walking. She'd call her later and