Seven Years In, and I CheatedChapter 1

In the seventh year of my marriage to Kevin Sterling, I gave in to temptation and fell for his best friend.

This guy wasn't just good-looking and ripped, he was loaded.

He laid all his cards on the table, begged me to ask Kevin for a divorce, and I said yes.

Bringing it up with Kevin was surprisingly smooth. He put up a token protest or two, then just agreed.

That same day, the other guy and I got hitched at City Hall.

And Kevin? He turns around and makes his relationship with his high school sweetheart Instagram official.

Then, Kevin finds out I'm married and suddenly he's crying, wants me back.

Too little, too late, buddy.

* * *

I watched Kevin pack my stuff with a stone face. He's always been the picture of consideration and thoughtfulness.

Anyone who didn't know the real story would think I was a total jerk, blowing off the perfect boyfriend.

Just a little while ago, I confessed I’d cheated and wanted a divorce.

Kevin put up a fight, said a few things about how we could work it out, but I stood my ground. Finally, he gave me this wounded puppy look and that was the end of the charade.

I didn't have much stuff, just one suitcase.

Kevin opened the door for me, Mr. Manners as always. "If you ever need anything, you can call me," he said. "Just because we're breaking up doesn't mean we're enemies."

I gave him a tight smile. "I'll be fine."

I dragged my suitcase out the door, not looking back.

Kevin stood there watching me go, and I have no idea how long he kept looking.

Downstairs, Jason "Jay" Weber was waiting for me in his car. When he saw me, his eyes lit up.

He practically leaped out of the car to grab my suitcase.

Jay hefted it a little. "That's it?" he asked. "You didn't keep much at Kevin's?"

I shook my head. "I didn't stay there all that often."

I barely got in the car before Jay’s phone rang. It was Kevin.

"Take care of Emily, will you? She's quiet and a little shy.”

Jay cut him off. "Got it, Kev. You don't need to worry about her."

They chatted about something else for a minute before Jay hung up.

Jay turned to me. "What are you in the mood for tonight?"

"Mac and Cheese, maybe? I've been craving some comfort food."

Jay grinned. "Sounds good. I'll whip some up for you."

Jay, my own personal ray of sunshine, is the guy I cheated with. He also happens to be Kevin's best buddy.

Unlike a lot of people, Kevin's still trying to be friends with him.

I rolled down the window and rested my chin on the edge, letting the wind mess up my hair.

It was like the breeze was blowing away all the crap in my head.

The thing is, they both think I’m oblivious but I’ve known for a while that Kevin's been stepping out.

Kevin and I were together for seven years. I know him inside and out.

For the last six months, he’s been lying about going on "business trips." Really, he's just been hooking up with some chick at a hotel.

Every time, I’d get an anonymous text message with the details – Kevin and his girl's hotel reservation.

When we were shopping, he always stopped at the perfume counter to try stuff out.

He told me this "Daisy" perfume smelled amazing and asked if I wanted it.

But Kevin conveniently forgot I’m super sensitive to smells and really don't like perfume.

He also started buying me dresses that were a size too small, saying I'd gained weight and needed to sign up for a gym membership.

I knew my weight; I hadn’t gained an ounce, maybe even lost a few.

In the end, he gave me the perfume and the dress anyway, determined to make me take them.

I met Jay at the gym, of all places. The gym Kevin signed me up for and the best friend who was conveniently visiting from out of the country.

It's kind of embarrassing, but after all those years, Kevin never formally introduced me to his friends. I was never a part of his circle.

After that, Jay started helping me at the gym, gave me advice on clothes, and showed me how to be confident.

I started to open up, try new things, and stopped obsessing over Kevin.

Deep down, I knew Jay showing up in my life wasn’t random. It was all part of Kevin’s plan.

He wanted Jay to seduce me, to give him an out. The gym was just the stage where it was supposed to happen.

The first day we met, I accidentally saw a text exchange between Jay and Kevin.

Mr. Nice Guy Kevin didn't want to admit he was cheating, so he was making me the bad guy.

I couldn't figure out why he was going through so much trouble.

I don't have anything to my name, and no family to rely on. He could've dumped me without a second thought.

All he had to do was break up with me.