Page 25 of The Sidekick

Max shifts in his seat, probably as hard as a rock and unwilling to show it.

I should have used a different series of words for how many chances I gave them not to fuck this up. It was natural to start counting, but my counts mean something different to Max. The brat is getting off on the knowledge that someone is very close to getting punished, even if it isn’t him. It surprises me because I thought he might get jealous. But when I checked in with him to make sure he was ok with it, he was all serene smiles and nods. Rare behavior for him, to say the least.

“How does that count as a strike? All I did was ask about the water,” Ira’s angry eyes meet mine in challenge.

Backing down isn’t in my nature, no matter the persona I show everyone else. I’m also goaded by the knowledge that these insignificant little shits have tried their hardest to break our girl.

“How long have you known Tera?” I ask and settle back with my arms crossed over my chest, refusing to drop his gaze.

“Now we’re getting interrogated?” The one named Brody asks with a raised brow.

“Answer,” I bark.

“A year?” Blaze’s surprised response is automatic at my tone. Some people are like that. And some fight over every single syllable to answer.

“Have you ever said a nice word to her in that year?” I ask in a deceptively calm voice.

They look at each other in confusion. Diana and Pat are enjoying the show.

“They haven’t,” Andi says quietly, brow furrowing as she thinks about it. “None of them have.”

“Babe,” one of her boy toys speaks up as if he’s ready to defend his choices, and she cuts him off.

“No,” she glares at him. “Not one of you has said how awesome she is or even thanked her for all her help. It’s always about how much trouble she supposedly brings to me.”

I had always liked Andi, and her take no shit attitude. I once thought it would be good for Tera to branch out and have friends outside the bar. What a mistake. My respect for this girl has been effectively flushed down the toilet with her actions.

Her eyes meet mine, finally realizing just how bad she’s fucked up, but it’s way too late. I believed Tera was in good hands with Andi, and I was wrong. This is her last chance to remain in her life, and the only reason she’s getting it is because I want Tera to smile again.

“For a year,” I confirm with her, and she nods grimly, red lips turning down in a scowl. “You’ve all been conditioning her to think the worst of herself for an entire year and wonder why she left at a simple question. When did she start leaving the room when you spoke to her?”

More confused looks, even Andi doesn’t know the answer.

Ira draws my attention with a question. “What do you mean by conditioning her?”

“Are you a closet psychologist?” Blaze sneers.

“You’ve trained her that speaking up and fighting to be heard won’t happen with you. You have no intention of listening unless it’s to have more ammunition to berate her. You did that,” I point a finger around the table.

“You don’t know her,” one of the toys says as if he’s in a position to defend his behavior.

“You’re right,” I agree, and Max’s scowl towards me earns him a raised brow. His face settles quickly as he picks up his pizza and takes a bite, chewing angrily.

“I know her better than you ever will because I listen. That’s all it fucking takes. I don’t punish her for her mistakes. I ask why and try to help her through it. It’s called being a decent human being. I doubt any of you are familiar with it.”

“We don’t have to sit here and listen to this,” Alec says, the only one of the toy’s names I remember. Because he’s the one who tried to take Tera out of a safe space and put her in a toxic environment. Just to please his girlfriend without considering Tera’s wants or needs.

“When he leaves, you can all follow,” I shrug and return to eating. I don’t like that Tera ate only one piece. I need to set some aside for her and take it into the office. I want to do it now, but I also want to be able to lock the door when these jackasses bail out.

“I’m not leaving,” Andi declares and turns her scowl my way. I’m not one of her sycophants, and her antics don’t sway me.

“You aren’t staying,” I shake my head and take a drink of water. “You stay and win her back while they bail, and it’ll be the same shit as soon as she starts hanging around you again. You agreed to this deal, and I’m holding you to your word. Three strikes, and all of you are out. You’re currently at strike two. If you choose to leave, you all leave, remember?”

“So, you’re just taking over her life now?” Her voice rises into a shriek, causing several of her toys to cringe.

“I will do whatever she allows me to do for her. If that means kicking you out or buying her a fucking drink, I’m doing it with a smile. I’m not the one who cut your ties to her.”

“She wanted you all gone as soon as she realized you were here,” Max puts in, and Diana and Pat stare in shock. He doesn’t talk much and never when Tera was around because he’s a dick.

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