Free False Illusions (False #1) by A. Cramton Page A

loved this ring. I picked it out myself. I remember the bullshit proposal Marcus did in front of my family and half of LA. I remember faking my happiness and surprise. I remember everything.
    After waking up this morning from the hangover of all hangovers I downed a cup of coffee and two Tylenols. Last night plays over in my head making my heart ache. I was tired of being played, tired of being unhappy. It was time to live for me and no one else.
    Dropping the ring next to the note I wrote for Marcus, who didn’t come home at all last night, I grab the handle of my suitcase and slide on my carry-on on my shoulder. I spent the morning packing all my things in boxes that I had the doorman ship out not to long ago. 
    Taking one more look out the large living room window, I take a deep breath and walk out the door, leaving my keys on the entryway table.
    Chelsea was downstairs standing by her car. I called her early this morning with my new plans. I gave her a choked up run down on last night and my drunken pity party. I told her that I’m finally chasing my dreams. As happy as she was for me she was sad to see me leave, but she knew this what I needed to do.
    I haven’t turned my phone back on since I turned it off when I woke up. Yoel has called me almost at every hour on the hour. I wasn’t ready to take his calls. I’m not sure I ever will be.
    I had been played. I fell in love with him, just to find out he was just using me.
    But it felt so real .
    I shake my head, clearing my thoughts as I throw my bags in her trunk.
    “I can’t believe you’re actually doing it,” Chelsea says pulling onto the Strip.
    “I know.” I couldn’t believe I was doing it either, but during my drinking fest last night I replied to a job offer and bought a one-way ticket to a new city. This morning I lucked out and my realtor found me a great rental.
    “What did Marcus say when he saw your shit packed. I would have loved to see his face.”
    “He doesn’t know I’m gone. He didn’t come home last night so I left a note along with the ring.”
    She gasps. “Badass. I’m sure he’ll call me.” She purses her lips.
    I’m sure he will call her, right after he calls my parents. That’s the conversation I can’t wait to have.
    “So have you talked to you know who?” she asks softly.
    I know who ‘you know who’ is. I can feel the tears forming just thinking of him again.
    I shake my head and stare out the window for the rest of the drive.
    Being the best friend she is she walks me to the security line after we check-in my suitcase. Tears are going and we’re hugging each other tight.
    “I’m going to miss you so much.” She wipes her eyes.
    I do the same and smile. “You’ll have to come and visit me.”
    “Deal.”
    It didn’t feel real until I was seated in my first class seat looking out the window to the runway. I was leaving. I was chasing my dreams just like Yoel wanted for me, or claim to want for me. This was happening.
    It was time to make me happy and stop trying to make everyone else happy.
    I had to take care of me now.

    This view of Central Park was amazing. I’m not sure how my realtor snagged this last minute, but I was forever thankful. I wasn’t due to start my position at The New Yorker for another week, but I wanted to settle in first and learn my way around. New York is a lot crazier than Los Angeles and Vegas. 
    My apartment is amazing, I feel like I’m Sex in the City. I was happy to find out it was furnished beautifully.
    I curl up on the couch with the Thai takeout I ordered and a bottle of wine I bought at the little store down the street. Turning my phone on I decided it was time to face the music.
    Five voicemails and thirty texts are popping on the screen. I frown. Damn.
    Two of the voicemails were from my parents, demanding where I was. One from Marcus calling me a selfish bitch, tell me how you really feel why don’t ya. The next two are from Yoel. Putting on my big girl panties I