Jude wanted to make sure I couldn’t go back to Bryce, even if I managed to break free from his own clutches.Asshole. I almost wish it were Jude who’d come to the hotel to confront me. He deserves a beating more than Aaron.
I hope Bryce’s kick at the wedding crippled Jude for life—or at least causes him lifelong pain.
My phone pings, and I tense.Bryce?I’m not ready to talk to him yet.
–Sherry: Are you really all right? Where are you, Finn? I thought you’d be back by now. I’ve been offering incense and prayers.
I sag a little. Not Bryce, but not somebody I want to talk to right now, either. I’m actually a little surprised Sherry finally remembered my existence and texted. She didn’t even glance in my direction when I took Bryce’s hand at the wedding.
Many girls I grew up with said they turned to their moms, sisters or best friends when they needed to discuss something. I didn’t have any of those. Sherry’s always been too obsessed with getting good karma for Finley’s reincarnation. I’m never certain what she sees when she looks at me—a girl she’s adopted or Finley. To be honest, Zachary probably never knew either.
Girls my age didn’t like to open up to someone who was awkward and standoffish. Besides, many of them knew I was adopted, and some probably heard the reason from their parents’ gossip. L.A. is a big city, but its wealthy elite social circle is small. Girls whispered and speculated, but they didn’t befriend someone like me.
–Me: I’m fine. I’m sorry about the way the ceremony ended.
–Sherry: So you’re really okay? You haven’t come home.
–Me: I’ve been staying with a college friend. Are you okay? Nobody’s tried to hurt you?
The loan sharksstillhaven’t gotten back to me. I make a mental note to text them again.
–Sherry: Not that I know of. I’ve been away to offer incense.
Of course. She needs to pray to make Finley’s next life better. Apparently, the fragrance from the burning incense is supposed to honor Buddha and incinerate “negativities.” Anything beyond that is also beyond me—I’m not well versed in the religion the way Sherry is.
The memory of the harsh way Zoe attacked Aaron flashes in my head. I squeeze my eyes shut, hoping Sherry won’t have to pray for Aaron’s reincarnation as well. As horrible as he is, no mother deserves to bury another child. And no amount of incense will ever provide Aaron with a better life, given what a horrible human being he is. He’ll be lucky if he doesn’t get reborn as a cockroach’s lower intestine.
–Me: Did Aaron come home?
–Sherry: No. I haven’t heard from him since last night. Why?
–Me: Did he text you or anything?
–Sherry: No. What’s wrong, Finn? Did he do something?
Oh, did he ever.
–Me: No, just wondering. Can you text me when he gets in touch with you or comes home?
–Sherry: OK. But wouldn’t it be easier if you just text him?
–Me: I’ll try.
I won’t try, but I don’t want to have a debate with Sherry. She’s convinced her son is an angel. I just want to make sure Zoe hasn’t killed him.
I put the phone down and drape an arm over my eyes. How did my life go from making videos for social media to promote cheese to my being chased by loan sharks and my ex’s lunatic mother?
And Bryce’s proposal is ridiculous.Us? Married?
No.I shake my head. It isn’t happening.
My phone pings again. I lift it fast, hoping it’s Sherry telling me Aaron’s finally home.
–Unknown: You fucking lied to me.
What?
–Unknown: You aren’t the merchandise I picked for my son. How dare you trick me!
