Dad’s gaze narrow. “You’re dating him now? What about what happened to your sister?”
“Dating who?” Mom asks.
“Jabari Hall,” Jackie spits out.
“The boy who cheated on you?” Mom’s voice rises.
I hold up a hand. “Can I please explain?”
“This oughta be good.” Dad folds his arms across his chest, mirroring the same stance as Jackie. Only while Dad seems skeptical, Jackie is definitely defensive.
LordGod,please give me the words.“I was set up on a blind date with Jabari. I had no clue it would be him until I showed up to the restaurant on Valentine’s Day. However, he shared about his eyesight and swore me to secrecy.” Now that the whole world knows, I can finally explain everything. “He needed a friend, so I became one.”
“And that’s all?” Mom asks.
I shake my head. “I started to like him and gathered the courage to ask what happened between him and Jackie. I fully intended to keep my loyalties to her, but she lied about how their relationship ended.”
“Is this true, Jackie?” Dad asks.
“Here come the waterworks,” Fran whispers.
Right on cue, silent tears fall from my sister’s face.
“Honey, it’s okay.” Mom lays a hand on Jackie’s arm for comfort. “Share what you’re able.”
“Why do you always cater to her?” Fran asks, hands on hips. “All you do is teach her she can do no wrong despite doing so repeatedly.”
The bitterness in Fran’s words hurts my heart. But I can’t disagree with her.
“Hehurtme,” Jackie cries. “He’s not a good man.”
“He is,” I counter. “I can’t even begin to put into words how magical our date was and how well he treats me. I don’t believe he’s lying about your breakup.” Though I wish Jabari was so that I wouldn’t have to deal with Jackie’s drama.
“What did he claim?” Dad asks.
“Does it matter?” Jackie interrupts. “I’m the victim.”
“Let Val speak,” Dad says.
Mom glances at Dad but doesn’t argue.
“He said Jackie accused him of cheating with the coach’s daughter but that he and other teammates were being tour guides. She didn’t react well when he said he wanted to break up.”
“Sweetie, is that true?” Mom asks.
“He didn’t want me,” Jackie moans. “I just wanted him to understand he was making a big mistake.”
Dad’s brow furrows. “What did you do?”
“Just threw some things to get his attention. I didn’t hurt him.”
My heart hammers in my throat. She tried to hit him? I can’t help but look at Jackie in a different light, and it’s not favorable.
“How could you?” Fran asks.
“Girls, I’m sure she had her reasons,” Mom said. “Now’s the time to support her.”
“Shouldn’t we be supporting Val and Jabari instead? Jackie’s a menace, and it’s a wonder Isaac and Ollie have mellowed her as much as they have.”
