“You could be a cousin, my best friend, hell, even the girlfriend of an ex-boyfriend, and I don’t know you. Shove the fakesympathy up your ass and understand that not every fucker out there is a liar!”
“Allegra, I’m Polly, Rain’s sister.”
“Well, whoop-de-doo! Can’t say it was a pleasure to meet you!” I moved past and began wrapping the scarf to hide the scar. People were staring, and not because of my outburst. My hands were shaking so much that I was making a real mess of the headscarf.
“Here,” Polly said and snatched it. “Lower your head.”
Grinding my teeth, I did as she ordered, and Polly expertly wrapped my head again.
“Thank you,” I gritted out.
“Allegra, let’s go get a coffee.”
“No, thanks. I’ve spent enough time in your company already!”
Polly chuckled. “There’s the Allegra I knew. Come on, it’s the least I can do. You can tell me what happened.”
“Oh, that’s easy, let me nutshell this in words you’ll understand. Car accident. A branch smashed my skull in. Severe brain trauma, hence amnesia. There you go, all up to date,” I retorted, and Polly laughed.
“Damn, Allegra, you were never this fiery. It’s a nice change. Come on, I’m a bitch, and now you’re being one. Let’s get a coffee,” Polly repeated.
“Only for Rain’s sake,” I retorted and stomped towards a diner. Polly snorted and followed me in as I spotted a table in the corner. I headed over and sat down, and Polly took the chair opposite me. The waitress came over, gave us a menu, and we placed coffee orders.
Polly stared, her eyes clearly searching for something.
“What?”
“You’re still suffering pain from the accident. It shows in the way you hold yourself and around the eyes.”
“Thanks, nothing like being told I look haggard.”
Polly chuckled. “You always had a mouth on you, but you were never quite this confrontational.”
“Gonna have to take your word for it,” I replied and spread my hands out.
“You really don’t remember anything?” Polly asked quietly.
“No, nothing. People tell me things, none of it means anything.”
“Do you remember Rain?”
“No. Nor Shotgun. Met with them the day before yesterday and took the twins to see them yesterday,” I said, and Polly’s eyes narrowed.
“The children, do you…?” Polly whispered.
“Nothing. Not their birth, first steps, first word, nothing. They’re strangers. Could be anyone’s kids. Harsh, isn’t it? I’ve seen pictures, but they haven’t jogged anything loose.”
Polly looked horrified. “Shit, I feel even worse now for being a bitch.”
“Why? As far as you’re aware, I ran off with Rain’s child. Makes you a good sister for defending him. But I can’t tell you my side because I can’t recall it.” I shrugged.
“Rain defended you. Refused to hear a single word against you. Hell, we were all convinced you were playing both men, and only recently did everyone learn you were a triad. Talk about making us the assholes.”
“Um, I don’t understand.”
“We’d see you on a date and cosy with Shotgun one week and then with Rain the following. As far as we were concerned, you were deceiving them. Then you moved in with Rain but continued seeing Shotgun. That incensed many people.”
“You called me a slut or a whore?”
