Page 91 of Crystal Iris
“I thought it was below you to rub it in my face,” Aaron says when I reach them.
“And I thought it was below you to fuck trash.” I look at Lara standing there.
“Look who finally grew up,” Lara replies, taking in my outfit.
Poker face,I remind myself.Play it well, and it’ll be over soon enough.
“Tell me, Aaron, what did Ted say, when he found out you were screwing his wife?” I ask him.
I feel him tense. I’m sure it didn’t go well. I actually feel sorry for Ted, but I don’t let them read my emotions.
“Why don’t you mind your own business?” Lara answers for him.
“We’d love nothing more than to do that. Are you done playing with my money?” Hoyt says in a low, devious voice.
“I’ll be done when there’s nothing left,” Aaron replies, staring at him.
“Aaron!” Lara snaps, reminding him to shut up.
“We both know you can’t do that, not without ruining your own business too,” I tell him.
“Do you think I care about that? I’d give it all up just to see both of you begging on your knees.”
“Looks like you’re the one who needs to grow up,” Hoyt says.
“Fuck you!” Aaron says back.
“We’re done here. I thought you could be reasoned with.” I look at Aaron and see the hurt beneath his anger. I still know him well.
“And I thought you loved me.” His words hit me harder than I want to admit.
“Looks like we were both wrong then.” I know he doesn’t deserve my words, but I need this to end. I start to walk away.
“By the way, all those lessons you said you gave her… thanks.”
I hear what Hoyt says and look back just in time to see Aaron lose it.
He pushes Hoyt, wanting to start a fight. But Hoyt just backs away and laughs.
Game over.
Thank God.
I put my coat back on and ask Hoyt, “Will you walk with me?”
“I’m sorry you had to be there for that,” he says as we cross the street.
“I’m just glad it’s over. I think enough people saw him pushing you.”
“Yeah, I think so. Let’s hope it’s enough.”
People walk around us, yet it feels like we’re the only ones in the world. We reach the park, and the quiet night stirs up a lot of feelings inside me.
We walk in silence for a while, both of us lost in our own thoughts. Then, the rain starts to fall, catching us both by surprise.
“Got to love April showers,” I say, glancing at myself.
It shifts from a light sprinkle to a heavy downpour in minutes.
