“Deal.”
“I’ll walk you to your car.”
“I’m not a baby. Trust me, I can manage.”
“Fine, I’ll check on you tomorrow.” He gives me a peck on the lips.
“Tell my mom I wasn’t feeling well if she asks about me. With all the excitement, she probably won’t notice I’m gone.”
“Sure thing babe.”
I move towards the door on fast feet, but Lilah steps in my path.
“Leaving so soon?”
“Why didn’t you tell?”
“You’ll fall flat on your face soon enough, and I’ll be there to watch the aftermath.”
“I didn’t mean for this to happen.”
“Spare me the ‘it was a mistake’ bullshit. How long have you been cheating on Trevor? I know this isn’t the first time. Art loves you. I saw it in the way he watched you tonight.”
Could there be some truth to what she’s saying? Does Art love me?
“You have no idea what Art is going through. I just wanted to help him.”
“By fucking him? How is that working out?”
There’s nothing I can say to defend my actions.
“You knew I liked him this whole time. I must have been a joke to both of you.”
“No, that’s not true. I never intended to hurt you. I’m so sorry.”
“I’m so tired of everyone praising you. The perfect daughter and the fucking perfect niece. I was so happy when you moved here, but soon enough I wished you gone.”
“So, this is how you really feel about me?”
“I’ve liked Trevor since junior high school and just when he started noticing me, you came along.”
“That’s not fair. You never told me you had a thing for him.”
“Would it have mattered?”
“Yes.”
“It didn’t matter to you about Art. Anyway, I didn’t want to seem like a pathetic, needy bitch.”
“Let’s go back to the house and talk.”
“No. Home will never be the same, not after what I witnessed in the living room. At least now I know why Art never gave Bri or me the time of day.”
“I…” I have no idea what to say.
“You have two boys who love you, when I’ve never had one.”
“We can get past this. We’ll always be cousins.”
