“No, I was pissed,” I correct.
“If you weren’t jealous, why would you care what she said to you?”
Okay, I’m not going to answer that question. “I’ll buy you a new bed,” I tell him, hoping to end this conversation.
“This isn’t about the bed, Autumn. This isn’t even about Cassie. This is about you realizing what you’re feeling and accepting it.”
I feel myself heat up. I know what I’m feeling. I just don’t know if I can trust him with these feelings.
“Autumn, are you in there?” I hear from outside the bedroom door, and my head drops to look at my feet.
“Your mom’s outside the door,” I whisper into the phone, lookingaround the room for somewhere to hide.
“So answer the door,” he tells me with an implied,Duh.
“I can’t answer the door. She was outside with Cassie,” I hiss, going over to one of the other doors in the room. As soon as I swing it open, I see that it’s a large bathroom with a Jacuzzi tub and walk-in shower.
“What are you doing?”
“Looking for somewhere to hide,” I tell him without thinking, walking to the only other door in the room, and as soon as it opens, I see that it’s a large, very organized closet.
“You’re looking for somewhere to hide?” he repeats, laughing.
“Autumn, I know you’re in there. Open the door.”
I close my eyes and lean my head back. I have no idea what I’m going to do, but it’s time to face the music. I take a breath and walk to the door. I click open the lock, pull the door in a crack, and peek out.
“Hey. Is everything okay?” I ask, seeing not only Nancy, but also Viv standing outside the bedroom.
Nancy smiles and Viv’s mouth twitches. “Looks like there was a little bit of an accident,” Nancy says, and Kenton starts laughing.
“I’m hanging up,” I tell him, annoyed that he is finding this situation so hilarious.
“I’m on my way home,” he warns me, and I hear the line go dead.
“Oh, great,” I sigh, pulling the phone from my ear. I start to toss it on the bed when I remember that the bed is no longer there, so I squeeze it in my hand.
“Did Cassie hit you?” Nancy asks, her eyes zeroing in on my cheek.
My hand naturally lifts to my cheek and I swallow. “Um…the thing is…she pulled my hair, so then I smacked her, and she smacked me back.” Yes, the chick is crazy, but I’m at fault as well.
“Are you okay?” Viv pulls me into a hug, and I feel Nancy put her arms around us both.
We stand there for a few moments. I didn’t think they would be offering me comfort after what I just did.
“Oh, isn’t this just fucking sweet? Seriously, she hit me and trashedmy car and you’re fucking coddling her?” Cassie yells.
I pull back from Nancy and Viv before facing her. Her face is red with rage, but there is no mark on her cheek from where I smacked her.
“The cops are on the way. I hope you know you’re going to jail for what you did.”
Shit, she’s right; I’m probably going to jail for what I did. Then I’m probably going to lose my job when I have to tell them why I can’t show up to work tonight.
“Why are you here, Cassie?” Nancy asks her.
“I needed to talk to Kenton.” She shrugs, glaring at me again.
“You know he’s at work, so why are you really here?” Viv asks, stepping in front of me.
