I Thought I Was The Joke, I Was The Punishment Chapter 01

I Thought I Was The Joke, I Was The Punishment Chapter 01

A few days before my wedding to Callan Rourke, we played Undercover at a party.

My card had the name of Callan’s ex, Sabine Elwood, on it.

Celeste Rourke, Callan’s older sister, gave the first clue.

“Petty. Embarrassing.”

Adrian Hale, Callan’s best friend, answered without hesitation.

“She overthinks everything. Being around her is just uncomfortable.”

Callan was quiet for a moment before saying, “She gets jealous easily.”

Tessa Voss, my younger sister, nodded.

“And she’s way too sensitive.”

A flicker of unease went through me. I’d met Sabine before, and she wasn’t nearly as awful as they made her sound.

When my turn came, I couldn’t help defending her.

“Smart, beautiful, and fun.”

Tessa burst out laughing.

“Merritt, aren’t you a little full of yourself?”

The whole room cracked up.

Then they voted me out unanimously.

Only then did I realize I was the spy.

Their cards all had my name on them.

While I stood there stunned, Greer Fenwick, my best friend, returned with ice-cold Cokes.

The six of us had grown up together, yet even as kids, whenever we shared spicy snacks, I was always the last to get any.

The whole thing suddenly felt pointless.

The six of us had grown up together, yet even as kids, I was always the last one to get any when we shared spicy chips.

As we got older, if the others switched restaurants at the last minute, no one bothered to tell me.

When we went rafting and there wasn’t room for all six of us in one raft, they automatically left me to share one with strangers.

If their circle had no room for me, I was done forcing myself into it.

***

“Keep playing. I’m tired, so I’m heading home.”

I grabbed my purse and left the private room before the tears fell.

Once the door closed, I couldn’t take another step. I crouched beside the door, covered my face, and cried.

Then I heard a few voices inside trying to smooth things over.

“Callan, aren’t you going after her? Merritt looked upset.”

Callan’s voice stayed flat.

“No need. She’ll calm down on her own.”

Celeste chimed in.

“True. We’ve been leaving her out since we were kids, and she always acts like it’s nothing.”

“Maybe she’s just that oblivious.”

The room erupted in laughter again.

Then Adrian spoke.

“She still doesn’t know we got her out of the way on purpose at the concert so Sabine could get what she wanted.”

“A goodbye kiss at her favorite concert was a pretty romantic ending.”

“Honestly, we were more disappointed than anyone that Callan and Sabine didn’t end up together.”

“Tonight’s game was just one last bit of payback for Sabine.”

Greer quickly shushed them.

“Shh. Keep this under wraps. We can’t let a certain someone find out.”

“She’s so sensitive, she’d completely lose it.”

“What about her parents? They won’t accidentally tell her, will they?”

Tessa answered with complete confidence.

“Relax. I already talked to Mom and Dad.”

“I’m the one they spoil the most. They’ll do whatever I ask.”

My stomach dropped.

Mom hadn’t actually hurt her back, and Dad hadn’t just happened to be away on business.

Everyone had lied to me just to give Callan and Sabine the chance to kiss goodbye.