“You’re…good?” I ask, incredulous.
“Yeah, I’m gonna stop distracting you from learning your lines. In fact, I’m going to stop fucking up all the things in your life, Aaron.” When I stare at her blankly, she continues. “Isn’t that what I’m doing?Nothandling the house?Nothandling Romania?Nothandling every other aspect of your life?” The venom in her tone seeps into her expression, and I gulp. “I can’t wait to see how smooth it all is without me fucking it up. I’mdone.” She does the mic drop motion like she’s Anna fucking Kendrick inPitch Perfector some shit and starts backing away, just like Alex had.
“This isn’t you, Gem. You’re not this girl.”
She pauses her steps. “How would you even know, kid? We don’t even talk to each other anymore.”
“Shut the fuck up. Iknowyou, Gem. Better than anyone.”
“Maybe you used to. But I’m pretty sure I don’t know you anymore, either. Because my best friend wouldneversay the shit that just poured out of your fucking mouth.”
Here’s the thing. I know she’s right. I know this entire conversation has been one big dumpster fire. But I can’t explain what’s going on inside of me right now. I just know there’s more that wants to come out of me, and I’m not strong enough to stop it. So I don’t even try.
“What are you going to do without me, huh?”
For the first time in weeks, probably since before she got with this new guy, I see her visibly contract, her shoulders shrinking in on herself, and I know she knows I’m right.
“You’ve got nothing outside of this life, Gem. Don’t do this. Take the day, cool off, and come back to work. We’ll get past this. It’s a bad day for both of us.”
And then her shoulders square. She gets a few inches taller, and somehow looks way fucking bigger and fiercer.
“Ihadnothing outside of this life, Aaron. Now I have nothinginit.”
Her words hit me harder than any stunt coordinator ever has, but she isn’t done talking.
“Consider this my resignation. I’d turn in my keys, but, well, I guess I already did that.” Her face lights up, she digs into her pocket anyway and comes up with the second fob to my Mercedes. “Oh wait, here’s your car key. For the next person whotries to assist you. Or maybe just keep it so you don’t have to lie to your girlfriend anymore.”
I shouldn’t be surprised she figured out I’d hidden that particular tidbit from Kayla when I told her I’d gotten my house key back from Gemma. But in my defense, it would make it a lot harder on both of us for her to do her job if she didn’t keep the spare key to my car. Just like it did for the house.
“Don’t do this.” Even I’m surprised at how frail the words come out, but I don’t trust anything I’m saying right now. My own voice betrayed me in the past five minutes, and I don’t want it doing anything else stupid on me right now. But she’s paying me and my plea no heed.
“Consider it done. Considerusdone. I’m out.” She makes a peace sign and she’s gone. And I’m pretty sure she’s not coming back.
TWELVE
GEMMA
Five years ago
The Kid
I know I said I’m fine
I lied
I lied
I lied
The texts are buzzing in while I try to focus on the road in front of me, but the lyrics catch my attention and I attempt to read them without crashing my Corolla.
How long can you live with a heavy heart
My guess is it won’t be long before I depart
The doctor said I’m fine
He lied
