Page 87 of Hutch
“Is that what happened to you?”
She goes still at Collin’s question, the spoon she’s stirring with coming to a complete stop. I’m really surprised when she answers.
“No. He never did anything stupid when I was around. He was nice. Kind. A great boyfriend. He behaved differently when I wasn’t around and no one told me anything, not even my supposed friends. Nana didn’t like him, though, and that should have been a red flag for me. She loved everyone.”
“He was a cheater then?” Collin pushes his plate away, the chicken sandwich half-eaten.
She snorts. “He apparently chased anything with a skirt, including some of my best friends. I felt like such an idiot when I found out. Broke up with him the same day. He wouldn’t answer the phone, so I broke up with him via text.”
“Savage.” Collin shakes his head. “I’m proud of you.”
Daisy goes back to stirring whatever she’s cooking.
“Whatcha cooking?”
“Chili mac and cheese.”
“There was actually chili left?”
“Surprising isn’t it?”
Her phone starts to ring again and she looks at it. Asswipe’s face stares back at her.
I pick it up and swipe to answer it.
“Daisy, why are you dodging my calls? I’ve been trying to get ahold of you…”
“This is Daisy’s boyfriend. Why are you calling my girl’s phone?”
Her eyes widen.
“Uh…who the fuck is this?”
“I just told you asswipe. Lose my girl’s number or there will be problems.” I disconnect the call and place the phone back down on the counter. “Fucker.”
“Why did you do that?” she whispers.
I shrug. “He scared you. If he thinks you have a new boyfriend, he might leave you alone.”
“That’s not how he works.”
“What do you mean?”
She shakes her head mutely and looks down the food she’s making.
Collin and I exchange worried glances. Did I make this worse?
“Why don’t you get a new number?” Collin pulls his chicken sandwich back and takes a bite.
“I can’t. It’s the only number my mom has.”
“Just give her your new number.”
“No. I don’t talk to my mom, but at least when she calls and leaves a voicemail, I know she’s still alive. My mom’s an addict. The only time she calls is when she wants money, but despite knowing that, Nana always answered the phone when she called. Giving her a voicemail to talk to is the least I can do for Nana after all she did for me and my brother.”
“I’m sorry, Red.”
She looks away from us and then back to the pan.
