She listens for a beat or two, then stands holding up one finger to me in the “just a second” sign. As she walks away toward her bedroom, I hear her say. “I’ve missed you too.”
And that’s all I need to know this night is over and that the last thing I want to do is sleep on her couch while she makes up with her asshole boyfriend. “Nope. Not gonna do it.” Besides, I want to be in bed with Billy. Finding a pen on her kitchen counter. I leave her a note.
Jules,
Heading home. I hope things work out. Call me tomorrow. Xoxo Joey
I could call Billy. I’m sure he’d pick me up, but it’s late and no doubt he’s in bed by now. Waving down a taxi, I hope I’ve got enough money in my account to pay for the ride home. After giving them Billy’s address, I sit back and stare out the window as the lights of Chicago pass me by. When the taxi pulls up to the front of his building, I can’t help noticing the red sports car parked on the street. “Gisele.” Her stupid car is right there. It’s not an uncommon car, but she’s got personalized plates with her name right on them, so I know for sure it’s her. “What are you doing here, Gizzy?”
Paying the man through the credit card machine, I slide out of the car with my bag and quickly get low to the ground. If my sister’s in her car, I don’t want her to see me. Like a chubby ninja, I move low to the ground and let the cars in front of my sister’s protect me. When I get close, I use a side mirror on a Mercedes to check out Gisele’s car. I don’t think she’s inside, but there is someone in the passenger seat. Mom. Which means Gisele’s either lurking somewhere on this street or—I look up at Billy’s building—ten bucks says she’s up there.
Working back the way I came, I get to the sidewalk in front of the building. Holding tight to my bag, I make a run for the front door hoping my mom doesn’t spot me. Inside the grand entry of his building, I look around the space for any sign of my sister. When the coast is clear, I press the elevator button and wait for it to arrive. Once inside, I enter the code for his floor 0-7-1-0. Thankfully, I remembered the number, which is honestly, a miracle after the day I’ve had.
When the doors open, I decide to peek out into the hallway to make sure she’s not there. I don’t want to walk into an ambush. The coast is clear. At his door, I’m about to use the fingerprint reader when I hear her voice. She’s loud, yes, but she has to be near the door for me to hear her that clearly. Without thinking, I pull my phone out and dial 911. I know this isn’t going to end well. After I call in that we’ve got an intruder, I hit record. Better safe than sorry.
“I noticed you dropped her off with her shit. Didn’t take you long to get sick of her.”
She followed us?Holy shit, the woman is cray-cray.
I can’t hear him. He must be farther back.
Gisele laughs. “I knew you’d get tired of her. She’s the world’s biggest loser.”
“I’m not a loser,” I whisper to myself.
“It’s not too late. We can patch things up and show the partners we’re a real couple.”
“No,” he says just loud enough for me to hear.
“No? You’re saying no?”
His voice is getting clearer. “That’s right. No. You’re unstable.”
Oh, shit. Don’t antagonize her, Billy.
“Did you have to destroy her quilt?”
“Oh my God!” she shouts. “That stupid, fucking quilt. It was ugly as sin. I did her a favor.” She scoffs. “Granny Foster always liked her best.”
So, she was jealous of me and Grandma Foster? Typical.
“You broke into my place.”
“No, I used my fingerprint. You had me programmed in the system.”
“Not anymore.”
“I noticed. You let me in instead.”
“You need to leave.”
“Why? You’ve dumped my sister—”
“No, I haven’t. She’s staying with a friend for the night.”
“You’re still seeing my sister?” Gisele’s voice has gone up an octave. That’s not a good sign.
“Yes. I’m in love with JoJo.”
