Page 44 of Unbidden

“How dare you talk like that?” I look up, expecting her anger to be pointed at me, but instead her gaze is focused on the guys. “We will be having a talk about this. I’m so disappointed in you.” Her eyes swing to Ingram and her groupies. “And you. If you’re going to continue to act this way, then lose your invite to any party being hosted at my house. Come on, V, S. I’ve lost my appetite.”

Reed and Keaton call after us, but Tinsley turns around and shoots them a glare before we storm out of the cafeteria. Once in the hall, she stops and turns to me.

“I’m so sorry for them, S. They can be complete assholes sometimes. The kids here put them on a pedestal, which makes them think they’re more important than they are. Please don’t judge me based on them.”

“I won’t, Tinsley. I know you’re different.” I smirk. “You’re right though. They are assholes.”

“One thing. Only my friends can call them that, so that means you’re my friend.”

“Got it.” I grin.

“Don’t worry, S. They’ll warm up to you eventually. Once they see you aren’t like the others,” Victoria interjects.

“I don’t need them to warm up to me. I only want them to leave me alone.”

“I’ll talk to them,” Tinsley says.

“That will only make it worse. I can handle it.”

They both nod but seem unsure.

“I’ll meet up with you later,” I tell them with a smile. “I think I’m going to go to the library.”

As they say their goodbyes, I watch them walk away.

Will I ever belong in this world?

And why do I care?

∞∞∞

“Hey, Elijah! You want your usual?”

“Hello, sweetheart. I would, but surprise me with pie today.” He winks at me, and I can’t help but laugh.

“Can do!”

I grab a slice of pie along with a water and coffee for him.

“How have you been?” I ask as I set everything on his table, then lean against the other booth during a lull in customers.

“Oh, aside from having to go out of town for a few days, it’s been okay. I met up with my sons last night for dinner along with their families. That was nice.”

“You have kids?”

He smiles. “I do. I have two sons and a daughter.”

“Is she a daddy’s girl?” I tease.

His face falls for a moment, and he starts to tap the table with his index finger.

“She was never given the chance, unfortunately. I never got to be a part of her life,” he tells me with a sad smile and tears in his eyes.

I reach out and grab his hand. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s all right, dear. It is what it is. I can only hope someday she’ll accept me into her life and understand it was all out of her mother’s and my control.” He pats the back of my hand.

I hear someone yell my name from the back and can’t help but sigh.

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