Aaron laughs. “I like her. Did she give you that?” He nods to my cheek.
“No,” I say firmly.
“In a way I did,” Prue says, with a smug smile. I know she is trying to push me to snap.
“No, you didn’t. Do not take responsibility for that prick’s crime,” I say, trying to keep my voice low. “And I thought you were going to behave.”
“You said play nice.” She rolls her eyes. “Maybe my nice is different than yours.”
“Oh, this is interesting.” Aaron sits back, taking a sip from his beer. “A girl who seems unfazed by you.” He laughs. “Never thought I’d see the day where you couldn’t charm the pants off a girl.”
“You’d be surprised.” I shrug, biting my cheek to keep from groaning in pain. “You have no idea how unfazed she is by me. Utterly unimpressed.”
“Not utterly unimpressed,” Prue says. “You are good at some things.”
“Like?” Aaron asks. “What can you possibly find impressive about his sorry ass?”
Part of me knows he is just playing around. Poking fun at me because of what I did the other night, but part of me knows he does think less of me. I’m the odd one out. They are all my friends, but only because of Wes and the music we make. If it wasn’t for Wes, we would’ve never become friends.
“He knows how to play guitar,” Prue replies. “Probably better than anyone else.”
“Including me?” Aaron raises an eyebrow.
“Including you.” She nods. Something inside me swells. I don’t need Prue to think highly of me. I accepted that she thinks I’m an asshole from night one, but it’s nice to hear her stick up for me.
“When he isn’t drunk as a skunk, I guess.” Aaron laughs. “Or being a giant asshole.”
“He isn’t wrong.” I shrug.
When the waiter comes to take our orders, Prue orders a salad and I fight the urge to order her something with somefucking iron. The girl is far too pale and skinny, but I know better than to push her right now. My future is in her hands.
“So, Ben tells me you’re pregnant,” Prue says to Stacy. “Says he ruined the surprise.”
“We were going to tell everyone after dinner, but yes, he just had to ruin the moment.” Stacy laughs.
“Well, you know Ben, always causing a scene.” Prue smiles at me, and I know whatever she is about to say next is not going to be good for me. “Congratulations. I’m destined for motherhood too. Though probably not for a few years. Charles will want to get settled into the family business first.”
“Charles?” Stacy asks, glancing between the both of us. Curiosity rests in Aaron’s face now and I hate it.
I grip the booth tightly, trying not to react. She is just trying to get me to snap. She knows how much is riding on this lunch going well, and she thinks if she pushes me now, that I’ll walk away from her. Let her go back to him. But that isn’t happening.
“He is my fiancé, well… will be soon.”
“Prue,” I say, my voice filled with warning.
“And he is fine with you hanging out with Ben?” Stacy laughs. “Must be a very healthy relationship. I’m not even sure I trust Aaron around him.”
“It has its moments, but I think we are determined to make it last.” Prue smiles outwardly, but I can see behind her eyes that the words are starting to sink in. She wants to paint it out to be some kind of fairytale, but inside it’s killing her to say out loud. “He is a great guy. Truly, just top notch. He is going into finance and once we are married our families’ firms will merge, creating a wonderful empire. He will take good care of me. I’m going to be a great wife.”
“I’ll kill him before I let that fucking happen,” I snap. “I swear to God, Prue. I will end his fucking life before I let you marry that fucking piece of shit.” Stacy flinches as my voice raises, andAaron just stares at me. “You really said all that with a straight face?” I say, turning toward her. “Really? You called him a great guy? A great guy, Prue? Really?” Her eyes drop to the table. “Tell me, Prue. If he is so fucking great, why the hell did I have to hold a knife to his fucking neck to make him leave you alone last night? Huh? Explain that to them.”
“Ben,” Aaron says. “I don’t think making a scene is going to make her feel any better about the situation.”
“I don’t give two shits if she feels better about it. I want her to feel bad about it. I need her to hear how fucking silly her words sound. Think them over, Prue. Really hear what you just said. You want to make Mommy and Daddy happy at any fucking cost, huh? Who gives a shit if you’re happy as long as everyone else is, right? Don’t give a fuck about your wellbeing because it’s easier to cover bruises than hit back.” I push at her to slide out of the booth. She goes easily, standing up and looking at the ground. “It sounds fucking ridiculous. And I’m not letting it happen, okay?” I push myself to my feet, too angry to feel any pain. “Even if I have to glue myself to your fucking side, I am not letting you end up with him.”
I take a few steps toward the exit, ready to be out of the cage that is this fucking fancy restaurant. Leave it to Aaron and Stacy to pick a rich place to make me beg for their forgiveness.
Prue doesn’t move when I take a step. I groan, ready to rip my hair out.
