“I don’t see what you’re so worked up about,” Alexander spat at her, his white fingers clenching the steering wheel. “Why can’t you ever just let things be? And I was so embarrassed by Nellie, the way she talked to that poor girl—”
“Oh, fuck off, Alex! You are so oblivious. You didn’t catch the waysweetlittle Jane was glowering at her?”
“No, I—”
“Exactly!” Her voice was jumping up in register; she felt slightly ridiculous, but once she gets on a roll, she can’t stop. “We didn’traiseour daughter to roll over, to let people shit all over her—”
She flicked a glance at Jackson, whose eyes were wide as saucers. He hates confrontation, shuts down when he’s witness to her and Alexander’s battles. Which are rare, but they do tend to happen when she’s tied on one too many.
“God damn it, Charleigh, I’m not saying that.” He hissed out a whole-body sigh.
She knew she was pushing it.
“You never see my side in all this. I wasn’t raised in some fancy family like you. I don’t have theprivilegeof letting things slide off me—”
“But that’s precisely my point!” Alexander shouted. “Youdo! I’ve given you everything—”
He loves to toss that in her face, failing to grasp just how deep her scars run. That yes, she knows they’re on top now, but she also damn well knows how fast and far one can fall. How precarious everything is. He doesn’t understand what it feels like to grow up like she did—never accepted, always pitied or shunned. Forever on the outside, desperate for access and approval. He doesn’t know the depths of ruthlessness in people like Monica and her little spawn, Blair.
He wheels up in front of Jackson’s bungalow, tires screeching as he pumps the brakes too hard. “Sorry about all this, man,” he says over his shoulder to Jackson.
That’s it.
Charleigh flings open the door, hops out. “I’m gonna have a nightcap with Jackson,” she spews. “He’ll bring me home later.”
She slams the door so hard, the window shakes.
27
Jane
It’s almost midnight. I’m staring at the antique wall clock in our loft, watching as the second hand goes by.
Trying not to throw up, I’m focusing on the ticking, taking in long, calming breaths. I had too much to drink tonight. I’m not even sure what was in those cups—more Hunch Punch or just vodka-spiked Kool-Aid?—but they went down smooth and fast, and before I knew it, I was shit-faced.
Oh, well! I had fun. I mean, I don’t usually go in for rich girls, but Blair is actually interesting. Like, she’s been to Europe, seen the famous castles, loves to tell me all about it in vivid detail and not in a show-offy way. Plus, she pays for everything. My drinks, my smokes. She gives me new lipsticks. She thinks I’m this cool, exotic girl because I lived in Dallas and other places, too. Outside of here.
I dunno. It’s slim pickings in this town, so I’m just going with it. Being part of the in crowd has never been my thing, but itdoes have its perks, like yes, Blair buying my stuff, but also like Mom and Pa and I getting to go to the Boat House, me getting to swim at Miller’s.
But Nellie…
Shit. I’m not one to back down from playing chicken, but for a split second, I thought she was going to tear our heads off with that Jet Ski. I seriously did. My plan was to dive down and swim as hard as I could to the bottom before she got to us, but thankfully, the lunatic swerved at the last possible sec, barely missing us.
She’s demonic.
Her eyes were almost glazed over as she sped toward us with that monster of a boyfriend sitting hunched behind her.
“Fucking psycho!” Blair yelled at her, an earsplitting scream that was full of real terror and fear.
“You crazy bitch! You coulda killed us!” Tommy hollered.
“What the fuck was that about?” I asked.
“She basically wants to off us all, I guess?” Blair said, laughing, though she sounded nervous, a giggle being stretched on a tightrope. “You know she’s jealous. Shehatesthat we all love you, I just know it.”
But at least Pa got to see hownastyshe is to me, calling me a skank. But what he didn’t see—what I made sure to do in the slyest way possible—was me provoking her. I gave her the biggest death stare ever. Then I dropped it instantly, changing my face back into its usual sunny, good-girl expression. Just to fuck with her.
There’s no way he’ll ask me about her again after that.
