Page 82 of Counting On You

If looks could kill, I’d probably have an arrow embedded deep in my chest. “Yes, he does.”

I smile. “Not to burst your bubble, because it’s riveting and well-constructed, but can you set something straight? He’s inviting you over to his place and he expects what? That you enter through the walls? Hide in some Harry Potter cloak and move past his mom?”

Her eyes narrow dangerously. “What are you getting at?”

She thinks she can shut me up with that venomous look. I can see it in her arrogant stance.

Good that I’m not one to easily hold my mouth.

I’m too angry for that.

Last night, after she returned my phone, I peeked at the history to see why she was upset again.

She had not logged off her Facebook account, and I found a vacation snapshot of Bruce with his ex. They were obviously spending time together, rekindling their romance. And yet Vicky insists that her relationship with Bruce is still going strong.

Maybe the lie serves the purpose of deluding herself. Or maybe she just doesn’t trust me enough to tell me.

Either way, it pisses me off big time.

“He’s a worthless piece of shit, Vicky,” I say.

The room’s dead silent. Everyone’s jaw has dropped. Every gaze is turned to Vicky, waiting for her reaction, waiting for an outburst.

“It’s not like that.” She’s surprisingly quiet and composed. “I could have always said no, but I didn’t. I wanted to see him just as much as he wanted to see me.”

“Why didn’t you refuse his demand?” I ask, ignoring the latter part. “Is your life so boring that you need a guy who treats you like a spare tire? Is it the lack of attention that makes you seek out the wrong kind of attention? You’re so full of faith he’ll come around and rescue you from the mundane. Think again. This guy will always remain a worthless piece of shit, and no love from you or anyone is going to change the fact that he’s a momma’s boy.”

“Kade,” Mary whispers. If it’s supposed to be a warning, it doesn’t scare me.

Vicky’s body is shaking. Anytime now she’s going to throw a fit about it being none of my business. I know it because we’ve been there before.

“He has problems.”

“Issues. His own, you mean.” I laugh. “And plenty of them.”

Mary claps, the sound ringing through the tension. It’s clear she’s trying to end this conversation. “Great job. Great job, everybody. Let’s give Victoria and Kaiden a round of applause. We’ll resume our session tomorrow, same time, same place, in case you don’t know.”

Everyone laughs and begins to pack up whatever they’ve brought with them.

Vicky continues to stare at me, her chest heaving as she tries to control herself.

The room begins to clear. As soon as I step outside into the hall, a hand tightens around my upper arm and pulls me into the storage room next door.

I blink against the sudden darkness, and then blink again as the light goes on.

“Are you crazy?”

I stare into Vicky’s livid expression.

“Maybe a bit.” My expression matches her anger. “Does it matter?”

“You just exposed me.”

“You thought I would keep my mouth shut?” I ask. “Why didn’t you tell me that he’s back with his ex?”

The silence lasts all of two seconds.

“What the hell, Kade? Did you go through my search history?”

---