So, I cry. And it hurts. I’m not talking about my eye.
“Shh, JoJo.”
I can’t believe this guy is sticking around. My one-night stand is more understanding than my own parents. “You should go. I’m fine. I’ll stay with Clancy until….” Until I figure it out, I guess.
“I’m at the hotel one more night.”
I blink up at him. I can’t read his expression. “After all of this, you what…? Want to fuck me again?”
“No.” He rubs his face with both hands. “Yes, but not tonight. I want to make sure you’re okay. This is all my fault.”
“No.” I think about it. “Some of it is, yes. But this”—I point to my face—“is all on Gisele.” Stepping toward the door, I turn back and smile at him. “You can have my number, though. Maybe we could talk sometime.”
He smiles, and it’s beautiful and sweet. “I’d like that. I’d like that very much.”
“Good.”
“Merry Christmas, Billy.”
“You too, beautiful JoJo.”
I follow Clancy out the door and down the hall to the main entrance of the urgent care clinic. I’m watching my steps, because I’m sure if there’s any ice, I’ll slip on it, when I hear my mom’s voice. “Josephine?”
I look up too quickly and lose my balance, landing flat on my ass on the concrete. It hurts, but I can’t react because Clancy’s laughing her ass off. “Bitch,” I mumble.
Doing her best to contain her giggles, Clancy asks, “Josephine? Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” I roll over until I’m on all fours. Then I grab onto Clancy’s coat and pull myself up, half hoping I pull her down with me. It’d serve her right.
When I’m up on my feet, I see both of my parents waiting beside their car. I search the lot for Clancy’s old car, and then I remember. We hitched a ride from Billy.Shit.I look around the lot and see him leaning against his sweet ride. I raise my hand up. “Can you wait for us?”
He nods, and I breathe a sigh of relief.
“Josephine?” My mom sounds distressed. “Are you okay?”
“I will be.” As soon as I’m somewhere I can sleep for a day or two.
“Your father told me what you said.”
“Uh-huh.”
Now, here’s her chance to apologize or at the very least acknowledge Gisele’s a scheming witch. But that’s not what happens. “I’m sorry you feel that way.”
And there it is.
“Pamela.” My dad’s only word so far. I’m hoping for more, but there are none.
“Me too, Mom.” I step back and nearly fall again, but Clancy catches my arm. “I’ve… uh, I’ve gotta go.” Before I cry again. I’m sick as fuck of crying.
“Your sister is at home. She’d like to speak to you.”
The phrasing of her words tells me everything I need to know. She wants tospeak to me. “Nope.” I shake my head and turn toward Billy’s car.
“You owe it to her.”
Slowly, schooling my expression so I don’t look crazy, I turn to face my mom. “I owe it to her?”
She whispers this, but it sounds more like a hiss, “You slept with her boyfriend. I’m letting go of the fact that you were being promiscuous.”
