The Hangover Cure

I went to the hotel to drop off some hangover meds for my bestie.

Instead, I heard the unmistakable sounds of passion coming from the next room.

The same guy who swore he'd love me forever, was now making those sounds with someone else.

Later, people would laugh.

"Shelby’s already showing, and Liam still can't let go."

1.

My friend, Chloe, had too much to drink at a work thing. I grabbed some rehydration tablets and took her to her hotel room.

Chloe was leaning over the trashcan, looking rough.

After she was done, she looked up at me with bleary eyes.

"Shelby, this is the worst. Yesterday I broke up with my boyfriend, and today I got hammered by a client."

"And the room next door is having a love fest. This is no way to live, waaaah!"

While I was telling her not to be such a drama queen, I couldn't help but listen to what was happening next door.

You know, for curiosity's sake.

Suddenly, a muffled groan cut through the wall.

I dropped the tissue box in my hand.

I knew that sound… I'd known it for a decade.

I turned to Chloe. "Girl, you've got nothing on me. That’s Liam, next door, sleeping with some other chick."

"What?! Liam's cheating?!"

I had no idea what to say to Chloe. My chest felt like someone had punched a hole in it, and I was struggling to breathe.

"Damn it! I'm going over there and bust them! Dog and his mistress!"

I grabbed her arm.

My fingers shaking, I pulled out my phone and dialed Liam’s number.

The ringtone sounded from the room next door.

He didn’t answer.

When I tried again, the ringing from next door had stopped.

I talked Chloe out of storming the room.

I honestly didn’t know how to handle this mess.

Back at home, I collapsed on the couch.

I looked around the apartment that I had shared with Liam for six years.

Tears streamed down my face.

This betrayal felt like a knife being driven down my spine.

If I told anyone that Liam had cheated on me, they’d think I was making it up.

We were that couple. We were high school sweethearts, everyone knew that quiet, bookish Liam only had eyes for me.

I cried my heart out, and the sting finally started to subside.

If I had to name the most important person in my life, it would be Liam.

He'd been there when I was at my lowest, when he practically handed me the power to control my own life.

But, I guess some people just aren’t meant to be there for the whole journey.

Liam got home late.

He saw me sitting on the sofa, and his face, still flushed with alcohol, went blank. "Why aren't you asleep?"

“Couldn’t sleep. Have you been busy lately?”

I stared at him, trying to see through him.

Was he just a great actor, or was I just that stupid?

It was the same face, but now it felt completely foreign.

“Yeah, we had some problems with a project.”

Watching him lie so casually, I didn't know if I was more angry or just disappointed.

My hands and feet were freezing.

So was my heart.

2.

The next day, I took a personal day and went hiking with Liam's parents....