I thrust a package into Freya’s hands and turn around. “Okay, guys, I gotta go.”
“What?” Freya takes a box from me. “But you just came in?” Her face pinches with confusion.
"Yeah," I say, opening the door, "it's been a long day. I'm tired. See you."
“Kayla—” Alex says with a defeated exhale.
“Gotta go.” I run away. That’s the only way I can describe my shameful escape, but there's only so much I can take in one day. Freya and Alex are my close friends. I know Alex has been Justin's best friend since forever, but I let myself get a little too comfortable inside with him. I’m just an occasional nuisance, something he just has to deal with a little more frequently after Freya showed up, but it hurts no less regardless. Because I thought Justin was just a jerk, and Alex was on my side, considering how he always shuts him down when he’s talking crap to me. But now… now I know it’s either out of pity or because of Freya. And I’m not sure which one is worse.
I feel betrayed, which is stupid. No one owes anything to anyone, and yet I thought… I’m an idiot, that’s it. Now I just want to crawl into my bed with a book and a gazillion pounds of chocolate. And maybe, to cozy up with Charlie.
But I soon realize that this is not going to happen that easily. As I turn to my trailer, I see a parked truck, with Justin sitting in my favorite outdoor chair. Crap. When I thought it couldn’t get any worse. I just need this day to finally end.Please. Is it too much to ask?
I park my Jeep in the mud (not my usual spot, obviously, because that’s taken by myunwelcomedguest) and get out of the car. Without looking at the jerk sitting in my favorite chair, I march up to my house. I unlock the door and go inside, not bothering to lock it. He didn’t come all the way here just for fresh air, might as well get it over with.
As I predicted, the door bursts open, and the fury that is Justin barrels in.
“Did you have fun?” His voice is crisp.
“Sure did.” I take my cardigan and combat boots off, but stay in my long sleeve, knee-length flowy dress, suddenly all too aware of its scoop neck. “Why are you here?”
“Why? Expecting someone else?” He snarls.
"You sound awfully close to being jealous. Be careful, Justin; I might think you like me." I lean my backside on the counter and cross my arms over my chest.
His cruel laughter fills the small space. “As if there is a possibility of that.”
“With your stalkerish tendencies, I wouldn’t be so sure.” I shrug. Archie’s words come to mind. Maybe he does want to fuck me, and that’s why he hates me so much. He hates the reaction his body has to a trailer trash like yours truly. Makes sense, honestly. Considering Justin is the golden boy and all.
Well, he used to be.
“I don’t take leftovers.” He curls his lips in disgust.
“Really? It seems like they’re the only thing you take.” I refer to Ashley, of course, the current ringleader of wanderings vaginas.
“Nowyousound jealous.” He smirks. I don’t offer an answer. “So, when’s this Archie guy coming?”
“Where?” I play dumb.
“Here.” He points his nose to my floor.
“Why would he come here?” Dumb and dumber, seriously.
“Oh, so you’re planning on fucking him somewhere else. A nice hotel, perhaps.” He looks around. “I wouldn’t bring anybody here either.” He crinkles his nose. “Unless… you already fucked him in your car.” His lips are thin. “You don’t need much then, do you. You never did. So, the rumorsaretrue.” He hums the last phrase to himself more than to me.
“Why are you so concerned with whom I fuck all of a sudden?” The old tale’s getting a little too old, and I’m not even offended at his words. He’s trying too hard.
“Don’t want to get any disease from being here.” He shivers dramatically.
“I’m not holding you hostage by any means. You’re free to leave.” I gesture toward the door. It’s not the answer he expected.
“Did you fuck him?” All emotions are gone from his voice, and the time for jokes is over. I don’t want to poke the bear: I just want him to go back into hibernation inside some undiscovered cave as far from here as possible. Here, right now, I see what Freya was talking about. Thatintensity.
“I didn’t.” I press the heels of my palms into my eye sockets because I’m tired, and I want to sleep, and I want to cry. Again. All I want to do nowadays is cry. How pathetic.
When I drop my hands, Justin’s in front of me. A foot away. His fists are by his sides like he’s scared he’d use them. Well, I’m not scared of them. I sure as fuck can use mine, too—I grew up in the rough part of Little Hope. You learn a lot of tricks if you want to make it there alive.
“Why?” His voice drops.
