Page 124 of The Other Guy

“I do. He would choose me a thousand times over you. Besides, your name might have been on the adoption lease but I’ve had him for over a month and in the state of Michigan, that means I have legal possession.” I have no idea if that’s true. I’m just talking out of my ass at this point, but figure it sounds legitimate enough that he won’t question it. Or at least I hope he won’t. I’m actually positive there’s no truth to it, but I should pat myself on my back for how confident I sounded.

Because right now, I can see the words written across Jeff’s face.

And the words read: How the hell does she know that? I didn’t realize she was so smart. I really messed up when I didn’t see how good I had it with Sierra. I’ll never find someone as amazing as her as long as I live.

Okay, that might be pushing it but it’d be great if he did think that. It would be a good little ego boost for me.

“Always knew you’d turn into a bitch. Didn’t think you’d turn into a thief, too.”

“Turn into one? Honey, this is who I’ve always been,” I say, proudly owning my bitchy thief status he just laid on me. Whatever. He can think what he wants. I no longer care.

We sit quietly for a few minutes before he clears his throat and changes the tone of his voice. “So you’re with someone now?”

“I am.”

“Isn’t that… soon?”

“Not really.”

“We just broke up, Sierra. He’s what, like your rebound or something?”

“No. See, I learned a lot about myself since we broke up. And something I learned I didn’t like so much. I was always giving. I didn’t care at the time because what I got from it was a peaceful relationship that didn’t have any problems. But now I realize that was just boring.”

He looks around uncomfortably.

“Which I assume is why you went looking for more… excitement, right?”

“I wasn’t looking…”

“Cut the bullshit, Jeff. You screwed half the town behind my back! Be honest for once in your life.”

“Fine. I strayed a couple times.”

A couple? I’ll wait to call him out on that lie because I need more information first.

“I got tested, Jeff.”

“For what?”

“What do you think?” I lower my voice. “STDs. All of them.” Which, thankfully, I’m clean. If I wasn’t, this little reunion wouldn’t have been so calm.

“Why would you do that? Do I need to be tested?”

How is this man a teacher? Is he really that dense? Is he blaming me? What a jerk.

“Why do you think I was tested? Because you’ve been around town with every woman you met!” I hiss.

“I just told you it was only a couple.”

A couple? Puhlease. What an ass. “Would it matter? It only takes one time. One person. Besides, I know it was way more than a couple.”

“I’m not an idiot, Sierra. I know that. But I used condoms. Every time. And every time with you, also.”

“You think that’s completely foolproof? You fool?”

I laugh at my little quip and drink out of my own water glass.

“Did you just call me a fool?”

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