Just physical.
It’s not like I can be mad about it.
I was out fucking around too.
But physical is still something.
Physical is still her hands on his skin, her body in his bed.
Physical is still five years of memories I wasn't part of.
"I know what happened between you and Garrett," I say, keeping my voice steady. "He told me."
Something flickers in her eyes.
Surprise, maybe.
She wasn't expecting honesty.
"Did he tell you how good it was? How he'd come to me after every time you broke his heart?" She sets down her glass and moves closer, her heels clicking on the hardwood floor. "Did he tell you how he'd fuck me like he was trying to forget you existed?"
I stand up, refusing to let her tower over me. "He told me it's over. That's all that matters. And the fact I’m an ol’ lady and you’re just a used up club whore, Venus."
"Is it?" She's close now, close enough that I can smell her perfume. "Because here's the thing, sweetheart. I was here when you weren't. I held him together when you were too busy getting high to give a shit. And now you think you can just come back and take what's mine?"
"He was never yours."
The words come out sharper than I intended.
Venus's expression hardens.
"You think you're so special," she hisses. "You think just because you're his wife, just because you're knocked up, that means something? You're still the same junkie who stole from her own family. You're still the same worthless?—"
"That's enough."
The voice comes from the doorway.
We both turn to see Aunt Ellie standing there, arms crossed, her expression thunderous.
"Venus." Ellie's tone leaves no room for argument. "Walk away. Now."
"I'm just?—"
"I said walk away." She steps into the room, putting herself between us. "I don't know what you think you're doing, but it ends here. Vanna is Bloodhound's wife. She's carrying his child. She's family. And in this club, we don't tear down family."
Venus's jaw tightens.
For a moment, I think she might argue.
But something in Ellie's expression makes her think better of it.
"Fine," she spits. "But don't come crying to me when she relapses and breaks his heart all over again."
She grabs her drink and storms out, slamming the door behind her.
The silence that follows is heavy.
I sink back onto the couch, my hands shaking.
