“Thanks C-Dawg.” I snicker at myself. I’ll never be able to pull that off.
“He’s been a moody mofo,” Carlos says.
“Yeah?” I ask, hopeful. Is it wrong that I’m hopeful he’s been miserable without me? I think it’s only fair since I’ve been miserable without him.
“You act like that’s a good thing,” he teases.
“Great thing,” I reply. “It means he’s missed me.”
“You have no idea,” Brent says.
“I’m gonna sneak out there and surprise him,” I say, walking away before I hear what they’ve got to say.
The minute I step onto the deck, I realize my mistake. I should have stopped to listen. When will I ever learn?
I dressed up for him. I took special time on my hair and makeup. I put onheels.I slip one off, then the other. I consider throwing it at him—his head—then realize I don’t want to waste shoes that cost this much on someone who’s hanging with Ella again—and I meanhanging.
I turn and walk back into the house, phone in hand, the Über app already open.
“What’s going on?” Audrey asks.
“Leo. Ella. I’m leaving. Über will be here in five.” I don’t stop walking. I just keep on until I’m out the front door and down the block.
“Jillie, wait!” Audrey calls out and I wince. I don’t wanthimto hear her. I don’t cry. Not yet. I’m too angry and shaken, hoping I can get out of here before he finds out about my presence.
“Would you be quiet?” I whisper yell.
Brent and Audrey hurry after me. “At least let me give you a ride, Jillie. I’ll go home with you,” Audrey offers.
“No, that’s okay. I’ll take the Über. I’ve got a lot of things to handle anyway. I’m not sure what I was thinking coming out tonight.” I smile brokenly. “Everyone knows surprising someone never turns out the way it should. It played out so much better in my head, ya know?”
“Jillie, he hasn’t been around her at all. She wasn’t even by him tonight,” Brent tells me.
“Well, she was when I saw. Like, all over him,” I choke out.No crying.
“Jillie,” Audrey says softly, grasping my upper arm and turning me toward her. The sympathy in her eyes is my undoing.
Tears run down my cheeks, plopping onto my chest and dress. “H-he promised,” I whisper. “Audrey, hepromised.”
“Motherfucker,” Brent yells, then paces back and forth. Isla and Carlos run down the block to where Audrey’s holding me against her. Brent looks to Carlos. “Was he drinking? Doing weed or something?”
Carlos shrugs. “I don’t know, man, but what the fuck?”
“I think Ella saw Jillie and went and did the stage four clinger thing she’s known for. Just after you walked into the house, Jillie, he shook her off and pushed her away,” Isla informs me.
“Yeah,” Carlos adds, “and he wasn’t nice about it either. She fell right on her ass.”
“I thought that was an earthquake,” I joke through my tears.
Carlos’ jaw drops, then he busts out laughing as do Isla, Audrey, and Brent.
“I’ve missed you, Foxy J,” Carlos tells me. He pulls me into a hug, and I cling to him like Saran Wrap.
“Don’t let that bitch ruin your coming home surprise,” Isla says.
I look at her with my tear-ravaged face. “Are you kidding me? Look at me!” I should have thrown my shoe at his head like I wanted to. I have such poor aim it’d have hitherfor sure.
Audrey steps forward, prying me off of Carlos who looks extremely uncomfortable.
