Page 129 of Home Game

“You know what?” She crossed her arms. “I’ve just decided that you’re done. Get out.”

“No. You leave.”

“Shut up!” Her hand was like a whip. It cracked across my face, leaving in its wake a burning sensation on my face.

It was more instinct than anything. I punched her as hard as I could in the gut.

The air whooshed out of her, making her temporarily bend over. “You will pay for that.”

She came at me like a wildcat, with her nails scratching my face and arms. I responded with a windmill of punches and hits that left us both breathless.

“What the hell?” Ryan’s voice cracked like a gun.

We both stepped back. Then she dramatically staggered towards him. “Oh, thank goodness you’re here. Zoey attacked me. She lost her mind.”

“I did not attack her,” my voice shook. “But I fired her.”

Ryan’seyes met mine. “You fired Bianca?”

I swallowed so hard I thought my throat would stick close. This was it. This was the moment he would finally be pissed at me. “Yeah.”

His eyes narrowed on Bianca’s face. “Bianca, thank you for your contributions here, but your time here is over.”

My mouth dropped open.What?I expected him to try to smooth stuff over with her.

“Excuse me?” Bianca stopped walking. “You’re going to choose her over me?”

“I trust Zoey’s decisions, and if she has reason to terminate your employment then that’s all I need to know.”

I watched with bated breath.

“No!” Her voice became harsh. “You don’t know what I know. She slept with a man in your apartment. His name was Terrance. And she brought him up here and she is treating your place like a whorehouse.”

“Enough!” Ryan’s voice dropped several degrees.

“She’s a tramp,” Bianca continued as if she didn’t hear him. “She’s using you.”

“Bianca, a minute ago, you were in a fistfight with Zoey. Nothing you say will help you keep your job.”

“She started that fight!”

“I need to ask you to leave.”

“You’re not supposed to fall for her,” she pointed at me. “I’m the one you’re supposed to fall in love with. Me. Not that trashy little tramp.”

What was she talking about?

“And you were supposed to be someone I could trust,” he shot back.

“You can trust me, Ryan. I promise you can.”

“I need you to leave, Bianca.” There was a finality to his tone.

She brushed past me and grabbed her bag. Without looking at either of us, she strode out of the apartment.

I moved with wobbly legs to the stool and climbed on. My body shook so hard from the adrenaline, I felt light-headed. “Sorry.”

Ryan stood looking at me. He looked pissed but I couldn’t tell if he was pissed at me or at Bianca. He ran his hand through his damp hair. “She doesn’t know what she’s talking about.”

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