His face freezes at my words, recoiling for a second. “No. I’m going to stay, and we’re going to talk.”
“Fine, you want to talk?” I take a step forward, crossing my arms over my chest. “How long have you known he was my ex? Is that why you wanted to date me in the first place, to settle some weird power struggle going on between you two?”
Jim grimaces, taking a step back with disgust. “Is that how you see me? You see me as someone who would use you for my own gain? Do you really see me as someone likehim?”
No.
The word hits me immediately, but the hurt inside won’t let me say it. So instead I shrug.
The silence stretches out between us. Jim stands strong, staring off with me as the sun finally sets in the distance. My porch light flickers on, outlining the shadows on his face and the start of another black eye.
“Go,” I whisper once more, feeling my lower lip quiver once the word is said. “I just want to be alone right now. Please. Go.”
Jim watches me, unwavering until I take a step back, and then another, slowly retreating into the safety of my house. He digs a hand in his pocket, pulling out his keys and turning towards his car. He gets in his SUV, gaze fixated on me through the windshield as he starts the engine, pausing for a moment before reversing out of my driveway. I stand on my front porch and watch his taillights disappear around the corner.
I storm into my house and flick the lock, immediately kicking and flinging my feet around until my high heels fly off. I stalk into the kitchen, ripping open the door to my fridge to search for any type of booze. The only thing I can find besides milk and coffee creamer is a lonely bottle of wine with barely an inch left. I grab the bottle, foregoing a glass, and head towards the back of the house.
Sliding the patio door open, the warm summer air hits me, skin instantly becoming tacky with the change in temperature. I pad my feet across the concrete stoop, plopping down on the top of the steps, ears ringing in the silence of my empty backyard.
I pop the cork, bringing the bottle to my lips for a large swig, finishing off the last bit in one drink. I hold the bottle to the light, needing visual proof that it’s all gone. Setting it at my feet with a clink, I stare into the darkness of my backyard, a blanket of loneliness beginning to cover me when I’m startled by movement to my left.
Clementine crawls down the ramp of her Victorian bungalow, stretching a full body stretch once she reaches the end. I offer a hand out towards her, slowly wiggling my fingers back and forth, wondering if today is the day she lets me pet her.
I’ve been feeding the bitch for months, keeping mental notes of the type of meat and texture she prefers, and she won’t dare come near me. Jim spends five minutes putting together her dream house, and she’s purring in a ball at his feet. It’s pitiful really.
“Come here, kitty,” I coo, clicking my tongue in her direction.
She lazily licks a paw, stretching once more before her head turns in my direction, realizing that there is another person outside with her. She takes a tentative step towards me, whiskers twitching, sniffling the air slightly before she takes another.
“That’s right, come here, kitty. Us girls gotta stick together.”
I wiggle my fingers again, and she takes another step forward before reaching out a paw to bat at my hand, an evil hiss leaving her lips as she scampers away.
“Bitch!” I call out after her, watching her orange butt disappear under a hole in the panel fencing. “See if I buy you any more fancy shit,” I mumble equally loud to no one. I’ve officially become the crazy lady who talks to her cats. Her cat that won’t even give her the time of day.
“Fuck this. Fuck Marcus, and Jim, and stupid orange sexist cats.” I storm back into the house, swinging the patio door wide and pulling it shut with a slam. My bare feet stick to the wooden floors as I march to the kitchen island in search of my phone.
I pull up the group text, firing off a message in hopes someone has something more to drink than an inch of red wine.
Me: SOS. What are you guys up to?
Jenna: I just ate an entire family size serving of orange chicken. Emmett is giving me a foot massage.
Jenna: And some people say your idea of fun changes after having kids. What’s going on?
Lainey: I’m drinking wine by myself and watching bad Lifetime movies. Ryan worked the last 30 hours so he’s been asleep since lunch. What’s up?
Me: Jim and Marcus just got in a white trash fight on my front lawn.
Jenna: Oh shit. Did you video it? I’d love to see someone pummel that little bitch in the face.
Jenna: Little bitch being Marcus, if that wasn’t clear.
Lainey: OMG! Is Jim okay? He’ll probably need to spend the weekend having you take care of him, just in case.
Jenna: Nurse Megan, at your service. Clothing optional.
Me: I kicked them both off of my front lawn.
