“Do you need me to grab the tarp and shovel from my shed? Gasoline and a torch? Cinderblocks and chains? I’ll cancel my date. Better yet, I’ll make it my date. Alek can carry whatever supplies we need to take them out.”
Everleigh lets out a blubbery laugh. “I fucking love you.”
“Of course you do. I’m lovable. I love you too, babe. I’m for real, though. You know I’d totally wear orange for you.”
“As much as I adore you for the gesture, that man is not worth the energy you’d expend grabbing the supplies, let alone spending time in prison for knocking him off.”
I scoff. “I’m sure I know people who know people.”
Everleigh snickers. “I’m sure we both do.”
“So, what did you do?” I ask, knowing my bestie.
She smirks, inspecting her nails. “Introduced myself, of course.”
“Mmhmm. How did you introduce yourself?”
“He looked hot, so I figured I’d cool him off with his drink. Can’t have him looking like he’s not a rat’s ass nugget.”
“And?” Already knowing.
“Well, I may have accidentally tripped in my bid to get away when his wife looked at me with triumph.”
“Annddd…”
Everleigh huffs. “Really? You assume I stirred more chaos.”
I lift a brow.
“I knocked her plate with cocktail sauce off the table, and it landed on her shirt. Then I tried to be a good person and help her clean it off with the napkins, only to smear it into the expensive fabric. Wouldn’t you know, my elbow just happened to catch her glass of red wine in the process? Who the hell wears white pants anymore, anyway?”
“Evie.”
“Okay. Fine. I also stabbed his bike tire with the steak knife I borrowed in my haste to get away from them.”
“Is that all?” I laugh.
“For now,” she preens.
“I don’t think he was ready for what he unleashed when he betrayed you, babe.”
At my support, she seems to deflate. Her humor fades, and sadness creeps in. “He wasn’t ready, period,” she replies quietly.
I toss my outfit and Converse onto the bed. Hearing the ache in her voice, I wrap her in my arms. "That’s his loss, Everleigh. You’re one of the most genuine people I know. You’re a blessing to anyone in your life. He’s missing out on a love that would cradle him to his grave." I kiss her temple, hoping comfort finds her. "He hurt you more than anyone, but Everleigh, he did not fucking break you. Look at you. Still sitting here, still giving him hell despite the pain. You refuse to let him win. We all have rough days, but every morning you get back up and own the day. You make the day your bitch. You’re my bestie. The peanut to my jelly. The breading to my pickles. The cheese to my pizza. My motherfucking ride or die bitch. So, I’m here for all your petty. Need a partner in crime? Just say when and where."
Everleigh straightens and glares at me. “Great. Now I’m hungry, bitch.”
I throw my head back, laughing, and hop up. “We’ve got a few hours. Let’s see what we can cook up.”
Everleigh takes my hand and stares at me. “I love you, Vinnie. I honestly don’t know how I’d ever survive without you. You make the pain easier.”
“I wish I could do more.”
“You’re here. That’s all I need right now.”
No matter where life leads us, how many heartbreaks or fights we weather, one thing always stays true.
We have each other.
