Open At Your Own Risk Chapter 08
Not long after, Sean’s friends started coming for me.
Someone posted in the group chat:
Jen, come on. Sean’s not doing well.
Every guy screws up sometimes. He made a mistake.
Besides, don’t you have that pretty little boyfriend too? Glass houses, right?
I read it. I didn’t reply.
Then someone @’d me.
Jenna, you can’t actually be trying to destroy him. Seven years is seven years. Don’t let some intern blow it up. Give Sean a little dignity. Give yourself an exit.
I finally typed back.
When he announced the open relationship, y’all were pretty entertained.
Two seconds of silence in the chat.
Then someone tried to smooth it over. We were just drunk that night. Joking around. Nobody thought you’d actually take it seriously.
I answered. I didn’t take it seriously either. That’s why I broke up with him.
That did not go over well.
Jenna, don’t be so cold. Sean gave seven years of his life to that studio. Doesn’t that count for something? You kicked him out? That’s biting the hand that fed you.
Sean’s friends were exactly like Sean — self-absorbed men who couldn’t hear a word anyone actually said.
I was about to leave the chat when Sean DM’d me.
Jen. They didn’t mean it like that.
Like what, then?
He took a while.
You’re upset. Let’s work this out in private. Blowing it up hurts everyone.
I laughed at my phone.
What are you afraid of?
His call came in immediately. I ignored it. He called again. I blocked. He FaceTimed me from a strange number. I blocked that too.
The group chat kept going.
Jen. There’s such a thing as loyalty.
Sean’s been drinking himself sick this week.
You really don’t feel bad?
You did this to him. Are you satisfied now?
I typed one last message.
Whoever pities him can take him home.
Then I left the chat.
Three minutes of peace.
Then Diane sent me a screenshot.
Zoe had posted on her Instagram close-friends story.
Turns out even loving someone honestly can be turned into a crime.
Some women have everything, and they still won’t leave a crumb for anyone else.
Someone had commented: Is this about Jenna?
Zoe didn’t confirm. Didn’t deny. Just replied: I don’t want to hurt anyone.
Very familiar tone. She and Sean must’ve gone to the same acting class.
Riley was pacing the office in a rage. “She doesn’t want to hurt anyone? She didn’t mind hurting anyone when she went for the credit. Or when she took the keys. Or when she said I just want to be part of what you have.”
I looked at the screenshot. I didn’t feel much of anything.
Shamelessness is honestly efficient. You don’t have to back anything up. Apparently, two tears are all the evidence anyone needs.