Pleased she was taking my olive branch, I pushed the bowl of salad toward her. “Here. I make no promises it’s any good, but I did my best.”
She took the tongs from the bowl quietly and spooned a helping onto her plate. Alden filled the other side with spaghetti and a piece of garlic bread. The tension in the room seemed to ease and casual conversation ensued. I let out a soft inaudible sigh, hoping that the worst of it was over now that she could see I was friendly.
Boy, how wrong I’d be.
While the guys chatted, Misty zeroed in on talking to me. “So, Sophia, what is it you do?”
I smiled, thinking about my job that I missed desperately.
“I’m a nurse in the Memorial Hospital Burn Unit. I know, ironic considering my injuries,” I joked.
She made a muffledhmphsound. “And how long do you have until you’re healed?” She prodded. “I assume because you’re a nurse who helps with this stuff you’d have a good idea.”
The guys went quiet.
“Well, I’m about two weeks into the healing process, so possibly another four to six weeks before the burns on my legs are healed up completely. My hand is on the way though.” I showed her the bandaging on my left hand. “Luckily, it wasn’t as bad as my legs.”
She nodded her head and went back to pushing around her food. I thought that was the end of that when she fired another remark at me.
“Well, I’m sure you’ll be glad to be back in your own space again. Living with three men can’t be easy, or good for anyone’s reputation really.”
Darren dropped his fork onto his plate and sat back, clearly aggravated by her statement. Porter’s brows were furrowed in anger, and Alden just glanced between us in concern.
But I couldn’t let her get to me. I knew exactly what she was doing, and I wouldn’t play into her hands.
“I honestly don’t really care about my reputation. People can say what they want. The guys are my friends and have been for a long time,” I replied sweetly, giving them all an appreciative smile. “But it would definitely be nice to be back in my own place. The insurance from my house should go through soon, and I can start looking,” I added, trying my best to diffuse this situation. Fast.
“That will be nice. I’m sure it’s great to havesomuch help,” she said, her tone viciously sweet. A concept I defined as someone who says something in a pretty way, but the statement itself was nothing more than a snake striking at you.
“Yes, well, the guys have been very kind to me. Between the bad dreams about the fire, to needing to be carried everywhere, they’ve really done a lot. It’s more than most people would do for someone.” The guys flashed me small smiles, but Misty looked anything but happy about my statement.
She shot Alden a scalding look. “You didn’t tell me you were having to carry her everywhere.”
Alden groaned and turned to her. “I told you, she can’t walk or wheel herself around in her chair yet because of her burns. How else was she going to get around?”
This was clearly not going well, and I had a feeling nothing I said would make this girl understand I wasn’t a threat. She was the only threat to her relationship.
“You still left that part out,” she reprimanded him angrily. She turned to me and every bit of politeness that she’d obviously been faking, was gone from her expression. “Alden won’t be carrying you anymore. I don’t think it’s appropriate.”
It was at that point that Porter had enough. “Who the hell are you? His mother? Sophia is our friend and there’s nothing inappropriate about us helping her out.” It was terrifying to see the usually smiling Porter looking so angry. I was absolutely speechless.
Misty on the other hand wasn’t done. “I’m his girlfriend and have every right to tell him I don’t like him touching some bitch who lives here without my approval!”
Darren and Porter shot up from their seats.
“I swear, if you don’t shut your mouth right the fuck now, I’ll kick your ass out of my house myself,” Darren warned her, acid lacing every word.
Misty stood and looked down at Alden expectantly. “You’re just gonna let him talk to me like that?”
Alden glared at her. “You’re the one doing this to yourself, Misty. Sophia hasn’t done anything wrong, but you’re attacking her. So yes, if my brother wants to kick you out, I stand by him.”
Her jaw dropped. “How dare you! I’m your fucking girlfriend and you won’t even take my side. You’re such a pathetic asshole!” Without warning, Misty’s hand lashed out, slapping Alden right across his face.
That was it. I was done playing nice and trying to placate this bitch. No one hits my friend in some childish tantrum and gets away with it.
Completely ignoring the agonizing pain it caused me to do it, I pushed my chair away and slowly rose up, standing to face her. “Get the fuck out.”
She scoffed and looked at me like I was nothing but a parasite. “You don’t tell me to do anything, cunt. I’ll leave when I damn well please.”
