“Really?” She looks like she doesn’t believe me. She shouldn’t. It’s all lies. “What kind of doctor are you seeing?”
“A progressive one. Now what is this all about, Mother. I’m sure you didn’t invite me here to catch up.”
“Well…about this man.” She shifts in her seat. “Surely you can’t be serious about him, Andy darling?”
“Why not?”
“Because he’s…he’s…” She fumbles for words, and I seize the opportunity to derail her.
“Hot as hell?” I smile sweetly. “Smart, talented, successful?” I cock my head.
“If he was all of those things, why would he want you, darling?”
Bitch!
“Okay, maybe because he’s the best fuck I’ve ever had in my life, bar none. And I do things with his cock that nobody else can.” All of the other stuff was true, but this is something my mother might believe of me. Though, as I describe the man, I realize I’m going to miss him once this is all over. Maybe I should keep him on as a booty call or something.
My mother, however, chokes and drops her fork with a clatter. Beside us, one of the goons looks up sharply and I see his hand move to his hip. I frown.
Is he armed?
“I don’t know why you have to be so coarse, Andrea!” my mother barks. I sense a few furtive glances in our direction, but it doesn’t bother me. My mother, on the other hand, is mortified. She’s worked hard to find a place in this privileged world.
“Whatever do you mean, Mummy Dearest?” I look at her over the rim of my glass. “Are you saying that it’s alright to enjoy a good fuck as long as you don’t mention it at the Plaza?”
“Andrea!”
“Oh, come on, let’s face it…you choose your pool boys based on their cock size and Daddy will fuck anything with an available hole.”
Her nostrils flare and her lips purse. I’m sure she’d be glowering too, if her forehead wasn’t Botoxed into permanent immobility.
“Mind your manners, girl!” she snaps. “We raised you. We can end you!”
I give a little gasp. For a second, I’m remembering those dark moments when this woman and my father threw me out of my family home. I make a small sound in the back of my throat and shrink back slightly. In an instant, there’s a shadow looming over our table.
“Everything alright, Miz Andy?”
I smile up at the huge man who’s appeared at my side. Now I’m a little ashamed of having teased him earlier.
“All good, thanks, Tony.”
He gives a curt nod, aims flat black eyes at my mother, then reluctantly steps away. Perhaps I’d resisted Mateo’s overprotective behavior before, but I’m kind of loving it now. The woman sharing my table has gone completely still.
“You can’t bully me anymore, Mother,” I say. Maybe I’m still not bold enough to truly stand up to these cold-blooded people who raised me, but I don’t need to anymore. It feels like having my own pitbull on steroids baring his fangs at her.
My mother takes a sip of her martini, then reaches for her fork again. Her mask of composure has been restored so quickly it’s hard to imagine it was ever gone.
“This duck is excellent.” She chews on a tiny sliver. Probably as much food as she’s ingested in a week. Then she goes on, “So…does yourMattknow about your past, darling?” Her lips curl into a cruel smile. “Your string of scandals?”
“He knows everything he needs to know.” The waiter tops up my wineglass and I realize I’m getting a little lightheaded. I’m drinking too fast. Why do I always let her get to me this way?
“Everything, Andy? Even what a foolish little slut you were?”
I scoff lightly. “You were the one who told him about that, remember? Anyhow, I think he loves the slutty part of me the most.”
“Now, really, darling! I think you underestimate the value of a good reputation.” She sets her cutlery down and dabs her lips primly with a napkin.
“My reputation is fine. You’re talking about things that happened to a kid over a decade ago. Do you really think anyone but you even cares about that anymore?”
