Page 142 of Beautifully Shattered
They are messages basically telling Smitty to go fuck himself. I howl with laughter as she reveals each one, telling me that Celina knows about them too.
“Why is she with him? He’s such a pig, and she knows he’s married to your mum.”
Jols shrugs. “My mum’s relationship with him is purely transactional. She’s actually got a girlfriend, so she’s happy with the arrangement. As for Celina…” Jols flops back on the couch. “She’s top Doxy because of her relationship with him. Maybe that’s why she puts up with his bullshit. Or maybe she actually likes him.”
I scoff. “She might need her head checked if that’s the case.”
Jols smiles, but it looks forced.
Shit. Maybe I shouldn’t be bagging her father figure. He did save her.
She has a strange relationship with him, and maybe she puts up with his crap because she feels like she owes him.
But that’s her prerogative, right?
“Sorry. I know you care about him. I’m sure he can be a decent guy.”
“Let’s not talk about him anymore. Tell me how you are.”
I cringe. “I’d rather talk about you.”
Jols snickers. “Geez, we’re a pair.”
Sighing, I stare at the TV playing a muted footy match, then tip my head onto Jols’ shoulder.
“Not knowing where Tahli is is turning me into a horrible person,” I admit, and Jols slips her hand in mine, giving it a squeeze.
“You need to cut yourself some slack, Abbey. You’ve been through more shit than most people can handle. If you’re moody because you’re stressed about finding your sister, that’s completely understandable.”
“I told Ringo I was losing respect for him,” I whisper, but Jols hears, straightening to face me.
“And are you?” she asks, and I shake my head.
“No. It was a heat of the moment thing that actually had to do with you and Smitty and… I guess parents who dictate are a trigger for me.”
“You know Ringo would see right through your outburst, right?”
I shrug. “You didn’t see his face. My words… they hurt him.”
“Did you apologise?”
I nod, but then shrug. “Kinda, I guess.”
Her brows shoot up. “What does that mean?”
“It means I told him I didn’t mean it, and we sparred, and then Riggs had to send everyone away so Ringo could… you know… pleasure me, right there on the grass next to the barn.”
Jols throws her head back, laughing. “Abbey, come on. Just say what he did,” she laughs again. “Did he fuck you? Finger you? Eat your pussy? Like what sort of pleasure are we talking about here?”
Even aftereverything, my cheeks flare to life, burning from the outside in.
“You don’t need to know.”
“Hell yes, I do! I’ve been stuck with just my hand and my imagination. Give me some details,please.”
Giggling, I wave her off, like what I’m about to say is no big deal.
“He used his fingers. It was the first time he slipped them inside since…” I trail off, my smile falling as I think about Bobbi.
