I Booked a $2,000 Rental for a Group Trip, but No One Paid Me Back Their Share of the Cost – They Didn’t Get Away with It

Excitement for their weekend getaway turned into frustration as Sarah’s friends dodged paying their share of the $2,000 cabin rental. Little did they know, she had a plan to make sure they didn’t get away with it.

Every year, my friends and I plan a girls’ weekend getaway. We take turns organizing, and this year, it was miy turn! I was excited to find the perfect spot: a cozy cabin nestled right on a sparkling lake.

We all squealed with delight when I sent the pictures.

A woman using her phone | Source: Pexels

A woman using her phone | Source: Pexels

The place looked like it came straight out of a magazine. It had a cozy cabin with a fireplace, stunning views of the lake, and even a hot tub.

The total cost was $2,000 for the three-night stay, which amounted to a very reasonable $250 each for our group of eight.

“Since I went ahead and booked the cabin, I covered the upfront cost,” I told my friends. “But to make things easier, I’d appreciate it if you could all pay me back before the trip. Does that work for everyone?”

A woman sitting in a living room | Source: Midjourney

A woman sitting in a living room | Source: Midjourney

“Sounds perfect, Sarah!” Mary chimed in first. “Thanks for taking care of that.”

“Absolutely, no problem at all,” echoed Ella.

“Great, that works for me too!” chimed in Brittany.

One by one, everyone around the table agreed.

“Yep, sounds good”

“No worries, I can do that.”

The confirmations rolled in. It seemed everyone was happy to handle their share and promised to pay me before the trip started.

Easy peasy, right?

Wrong.

Close-up of a woman's face | Source: Midjourney

Close-up of a woman’s face | Source: Midjourney

As the trip approached, the easy peasy turned into oh-so-frustrating.

First, it was Mary. “Hey Sarah,” she chirped, “my car needs new brakes, so I might be a little late on my payment. I’ll get it to you next week.”

A week later, it was Brittany’s turn. “Ugh, student loans are killing me this month. Can I hold off until next payday?”

“I just need to wait until my next paycheck,” Melissa told me.

Weeks went by, and as I reminded them to pay back, they came up with more excuses.

Close-up of a phone in a woman's hands | Source: Pexels

Close-up of a phone in a woman’s hands | Source: Pexels

Each excuse was new and none of them overlapped. It seemed like they were together in this.

Then came the radio silence. Nada. No texts, no calls, nothing from Ella, Dana, or even reliable old Lisa.

By the week before the trip, I was out $2,000 and feeling completely used.

The same people I called my “friends” had indirectly refused to pay me back. The people I trusted the most had suddenly decided to team up against me.

Why were they doing this?

A serious woman | Source: Midjourney

A serious woman | Source: Midjourney

Had I done something wrong? Or was this an attempt to see how I would react to such a tricky situation? I didn’t know what it was, but it was making me super angry.

I knew I had to do something drastic, something that would make them understand I wasn’t a doormat.

As a result, I decided it was time to teach them a lesson they wouldn’t forget. Now, I’m not one for confrontation, but this was ridiculous.

The night before the trip, I took a deep breath and picked up my phone to execute the first step of my plan.

A woman using her phone | Source: Midjourney

A woman using her phone | Source: Midjourney

I sent a group text, bubbling over with fake excitement. “Can’t wait to see you all at the cabin tomorrow! Gonna be the perfect weekend getaway!”

Little did they know, I had a devious plan brewing

The next morning, I woke up extra early and hopped out of my bed. Throwing on clothes, I raced out the door, eager to transform the cabin into our own little haven.

At the grocery store, I pushed my cart down the aisles.

A grocery cart filled with goods | Source: Pexels

A grocery cart filled with goods | Source: Pexels

A giddy smile appeared on my face as I filled it with fresh fruit, cheese, and enough snacks to satisfy an army. I even got the best selection of wine and juices. I wanted to make sure my friends were well-fed and taken care of.

After paying for the snacks and drinks, I got back into my car and drove towards the cabin. It was even more beautiful in person, the sunlight glinting off the lake like a million diamonds.

I stocked the fridge with everything that I had bought.

A woman putting something in the fridge | Source: Pexels

A woman putting something in the fridge | Source: Pexels

I even prepped a bonfire for that night, complete with cozy blankets and marshmallows.

The place looked perfect. I knew my friends would have the best time of their lives here.

But here’s the catch: I took the keys and the garage door opener with me when I left for an “errand.”

Before locking the cabin, I texted all my friends that I was out for an urgent task and would make it there by the time they arrived. They trusted me, just like I did when I asked them to pay me back.

However, they broke my trust, and so did I.

A woman holding a key | Source: Midjourney

A woman holding a key | Source: Midjourney

If they wanted to have a good time in the cabin, they had to follow my rules. They had to earn their weekend getaway.

I wasn’t going to let them have a good time when all they did was ignore my texts and calls.

By lunchtime, my phone started blowing up. Frantic texts and calls poured in from my friends.

“Hey, Sarah, we’re here at the cabin, but the doors are locked!” Ella said.

“Did you forget something?” Mary asked.

A woman holding her phone | Source: Pexels

A woman holding her phone | Source: Pexels

I kept my cool, replying with a simple, “Oh no! So sorry, guys. Must have left the keys at home. But hey, the good news is I’m on my way back now!”

Was I on my way back? No!

I was sitting at a nearby cafe, sipping on my favorite iced latte. I enjoyed reading their texts as they reached the cabin one after the other.

After I sent the last message, the frequency of their texts dropped. They felt relieved I was on my way back, but the truth was entirely different.

A woman in a coffee shop | Source: Midjourney

A woman in a coffee shop | Source: Midjourney

As their short-lived relief faded, they started calling and texting me again. This time, their messages were way more desperate. Some of my friends were angry, while others were struggling not to lose their temper.

“How can you be so forgetful, Sarah?” Lisa asked.

“I can’t believe you’re making us all wait like this!” Dana said. “I thought this was supposed to be a fun trip.”

Finally, I decided to drop the bomb.

A woman looking outside a window in a coffee shop | Source: Midjourney

A woman looking outside a window in a coffee shop | Source: Midjourney

I sent a calm message: “Look, I’ll be happy to come back and let you all in, but only once everyone has sent over their share of the rental cost.”

Silence.

Then, a flurry of activity.

Apparently, the prospect of a luxurious weekend getaway suddenly trumped car troubles, student loans, and all the other excuses they’d cooked up.

My phone buzzed with Venmo, PayPal, and Zelle notifications as payments started rolling in.

Within an hour, every penny was accounted for.

Close-up shot of a phone | Source: Pexels

Close-up shot of a phone | Source: Pexels

“You guys could have done this before!” I said to myself before grabbing the keys and heading back to the cabin.

Their eyes lit up as soon as they saw my car. Some walked toward me, others to the door.

“Sarah! Finally!” Mary exclaimed, relief evident in her voice.

I stepped out of the car, keys in hand. “Oh, so now I’m ‘finally’ here? How convenient,” I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

The group fell silent, guilt spreading across their faces.

A serious woman | Source: Pexels

A serious woman | Source: Pexels

“Look, I’m sorry,” Brittany started. “But you have to understand, I really—”

I cut her off. “No, Brittany. You all made excuses. I trusted you, and you took advantage of that.”

Lisa stepped forward, trying to mediate. “Sarah, we messed up. But can’t we just put this behind us and enjoy the weekend?”

“Enjoy the weekend?” I scoffed. “After you all made me feel like a fool? After I had to practically blackmail you to get my money back?”

“We didn’t mean to hurt you,” Ella said softly. “We just didn’t realize—”

A woman speaking to her friend | Source: Midjourney

A woman speaking to her friend | Source: Midjourney

“Didn’t realize what? That $2,000 is a lot of money? That friendships are built on trust and respect?”

A tense silence fell over the group. For a moment, I thought confronting them was a bad idea. I thought they’d say they didn’t want to be there anymore.

I stood my ground despite the fear, letting the weight of my words sink in.

Finally, Mary broke the silence. She wrapped me in a giant hug.

“Sarah, I’m so sorry about the car thing. You were totally right to be mad.”

Brittany chimed in, “Yeah, me too. I’m sorry. We’re all sorry.”

A group of friends hugging | Source: Pexels

A group of friends hugging | Source: Pexels

They all finally realized what they had done.

I took a deep breath, looking at each of them. “I’m glad you understand now. But remember, respect is a two-way street.”

We may not be planning any luxury cabin getaways anytime soon, but at least we’ll be doing it with a renewed sense of understanding and responsibility.

This whole experience definitely made for a memorable story, even if it wasn’t exactly the relaxing weekend I’d planned.

But hey, sometimes the best lessons come wrapped in a little frustration and a whole lot of determination.

What do you think?

A lakeside cabin | Source: Pexels

A lakeside cabin | Source: Pexels

Here’s another story you might like: Eight hundred dollars plus. That’s what Jack’s “boys’ night out” bill came to, and he expected his wife, Lora, to foot it. Waitress Melanie, witnessing Lora’s despair, concocted a bold move to ensure Jack’s night didn’t end as he planned.

This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.

My Wife’s Best Friend Mocked Her behind Her Back, So I Decided to Teach Her a Harsh Lesson

A friendly dinner with my wife’s best friend turned into a night that would reveal who she really was. I overheard her say some of the most cruel things about my wife, and you won’t believe the revenge I plotted. I had to show this woman she could never mess with the people I love.

Friends enjoying dinner and drinks | Source: Pexels

Friends enjoying dinner and drinks | Source: Pexels

I’m Jake. I’ve been with my wife Meg for over five years, and she’s the love of my life. We’ve been through a lot together, especially struggling with infertility.

About a month ago, we went to dinner with some friends, including Meg’s best friend and our maid of honor, Bethany. The evening was going pretty well, with lots of laughter and catching up.

As the night went on, I leaned over to Meg and said, “We should probably head out soon. We need to stick to our treatment schedule.”

Meg nodded, giving me a small smile. “You’re right. Let’s say our goodbyes.”

A couple having dinner | Source: Pexels

A couple having dinner | Source: Pexels

We excused ourselves, explaining to our friends, “Sorry to cut it short, but we’ve got an early appointment tomorrow.” Bethany and the others waved us off with cheerful goodbyes, and we left the restaurant, thinking the night had ended on a good note. Little did I know, it was just the beginning.

A man looking in his bag | Source: Pexels

A man looking in his bag | Source: Pexels

So, we left, but I realized I had left my phone at the restaurant. “Oh no, I left my phone,” I said, patting my pockets frantically.

Meg looked at me with concern. “Do you want me to go with you?”

I shook my head. “No, you go on home. I’ll be quick.”

I hurried back to the restaurant and spotted my phone on the table. Just as I was grabbing it, I overheard Bethany talking to another friend.

A phone on the table | Source: Pexels

A phone on the table | Source: Pexels

“Oh gosh, did you see Meg?” Bethany sneered. “She’s soooo pathetic! What does she hope for? I bet Jake will be crawling to me the moment I give him a wink. At least, I could give him a healthy child. She’s just sterile.”

My jaw hit the floor. How could she say that? I would never trade Meg for this evil woman. I didn’t lose it right there, though I was close. Instead, I decided Bethany needed a harsher wake-up call. So, I came up with a plan.

A man looking completely shocked | Source: Pexels

A man looking completely shocked | Source: Pexels

The next time we all got together, I started being extra friendly with Bethany. “Hey Bethany, you look great tonight,” I complimented, flashing her a smile.

She laughed, clearly enjoying the attention. “Thanks, Jake! You always know how to make a girl feel special.”

I laughed at her jokes and even started texting her occasionally. “Hey Bethany, saw this and thought of you,” I messaged, attaching a funny meme.

A man on his phone | Source: Pexels

A man on his phone | Source: Pexels

I wanted her to think she was winning me over, and it didn’t take long before she started flirting back. “You’re so sweet, Jake. Maybe we should hang out more often,” she replied.

I played along, acting like I was falling for her charm.

Over the next few weeks, I ramped it up. I sent Bethany sweet messages, and when we were out with friends, I made sure to give her extra attention.

Two people flirting at a dinner table | Source: Pexels

Two people flirting at a dinner table | Source: Pexels

“Bethany, you always have the best stories,” I said one evening, laughing at one of her anecdotes.

She beamed, clearly enjoying the spotlight. “You think so, Jake? I guess I do have a knack for it.”

Meanwhile, Meg had no idea what was going on; I didn’t want to hurt her by revealing Bethany’s cruel words just yet. She’d ask me, “How’s Bethany doing? She seems so happy lately.”

I’d smile and say, “Yeah, she’s been in a good mood. Must be all the attention from everyone.”

Eventually, Bethany couldn’t resist and suggested we meet up alone. She thought she had me wrapped around her finger.

A woman texting while at a restaurant | Source: Pexels

A woman texting while at a restaurant | Source: Pexels

“Hey Jake, how about we grab coffee sometime? Just the two of us,” she texted one day.

I agreed, knowing this was the perfect time to drop the bombshell. “Sure, Bethany. How about Friday at that little coffee shop downtown?” I replied.

When we met, she was all smiles and flirty. “Hey Jake,” she said, her eyes sparkling. “I’m so glad you could make it.”

“Of course, Bethany. I’ve been looking forward to it,” I said, giving her a charming smile.

Two people having coffee | Source: Pexels

Two people having coffee | Source: Pexels

During our coffee date, I acted even more interested, letting her believe she was winning me over. “You know, Bethany, I’ve been thinking about you a lot lately,” I said, leaning in slightly.

She blushed, clearly pleased. “Oh really? What have you been thinking?” she asked, twirling a strand of hair around her finger.

“Just how great you are. How fun it is to be around you,” I replied, watching her soak up the compliments.

As the weeks went by, Bethany started dropping hints about a future together. “Jake, you deserve someone who can give you everything you want,” she said one day.

Two people having coffee | Source: Pexels

Two people having coffee | Source: Pexels

I knew it was time to escalate things. I invited her to dinner at a fancy restaurant under the guise of discussing our “relationship” further. “Bethany, let’s have a special dinner. I want to talk about us,” I said, my voice serious.

She arrived dressed to the nines, clearly expecting a big moment. “Jake, you look amazing,” she said, her eyes wide with anticipation.

As we sat down, I began my routine of complimenting her. “You look stunning tonight, Bethany,” I said.

“Thank you, Jake,” she replied.

A woman smiling while out with someone | Source: Pexels

A woman smiling while out with someone | Source: Pexels

Then, just as she seemed to be basking in her triumph, I dropped the bombshell. “Bethany, do you remember that night at the restaurant when you said those things about Meg? About her being pathetic and sterile?” I asked, leaning in closer.

Her face went pale. “What are you talking about, Jake?”

“I heard everything you said,” I continued. “You mocked my wife, the woman I love, behind her back. You thought I’d fall for your manipulative, arrogant act? You’re wrong. I would never trade Meg for someone as cruel and hypocritical as you.”

A woman looking confused while at dinner | Source: Pexels

A woman looking confused while at dinner | Source: Pexels

Bethany’s expression turned from shock to anger. “You played me?”

“Damn right, I did,” I said, leaning back with a smirk. “And now, everyone will know the real you. You’ll never see Meg again. I’ll make sure of it.”

“You… you’re a monster!” she hissed, her eyes blazing with fury.

“No, Bethany. You are,” I replied calmly. “And now, you’ll face the consequences of your actions.”

A woman crying | Source: Pexels

A woman crying | Source: Pexels

Bethany stormed out of the restaurant, humiliated and furious.

I returned home to Meg, who had been in on the plan from the beginning. “How did it go?” she asked, concern in her eyes.

“Better than I expected,” I replied, pulling her into a hug. “She’s not going to bother us anymore.”

We had a long talk about what happened, and it brought us even closer. But it hurt that my wife had faced this kind of betrayal.

A couple hugging | Source: Pexels

A couple hugging | Source: Pexels

“I’m so sorry you had to go through this, Meg,” I said, holding her close.

“It’s not your fault, Jake. I’m just glad we handled it together,” she replied, smiling up at me.

The fallout was satisfying. Bethany tried to salvage her reputation, but word spread quickly about what she had said and done. She lost many friends, and her social circle shrank dramatically. “She got what she deserved,” Meg said one day, a note of satisfaction in her voice.

A couple hugging each other | Source: Pexels

A couple hugging each other | Source: Pexels

“Yes, she did,” I agreed. “And we’re stronger than ever because of it.”

Meg and I continued our journey together, stronger than ever. We knew that no matter what challenges we faced, we could overcome them together. The lesson here? Don’t mess with the people I love. Karma has a way of catching up with you, especially when you least expect it.

A couple hugging | Source: Pexels

A couple hugging | Source: Pexels

Thanks for reading, everyone. Stay strong, stand up for your loved ones, and never let anyone get away with cruelty.

If you thought this a cold-severed revenge plan, you would not believe what Megan did after she found out her soon-to-be husband was cheating on her with her best friend! As if it could not get any worse, she was invited to their wedding, but she had a plan to ruin their happy day.

This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.

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