Page 40 of Take Care, Taylor
Wincing, she let out a few short breaths, and I suddenly remembered how she sprained that same shoulder when she fell out of the window years ago trying to sneak out.
I wondered if it ever completely healed, but I refused to ask.
I decided to go with a softer approach.
“How else would Craig know he can keep cheating on you if you don’t thank him, Audrey?”
“You read my personal card?” She narrowed her eyes. “Seriously?”
“I don’t think you’re in any position to talk about reading someone’s personal things.”
She bit her lip.
“You’ve always had questionable taste in men,” I said. “Have any of your therapists ever mentioned that?”
“I actually met someone I like here today,” she said. “He’s coming over this weekend to hang out.”
“What’s his name?”
“You’ll see him when he gets here.”
“Didn’t we just agree that we weren’t having dates over?” I crossed my arms. “I have to meet Stacey at her place, and that’s fair, right?”
“She was just here the other night.”
“She was waiting on me so we could leave.”
“She seems unstable. That’s not your type.”
“I don’t have a type,” I said. “And you still suck at deflecting and changing subjects. No company over here, ever.”
She shrugged. “I was thinking we should revisit that rule soon.”
“We shouldn’t.” I glared at her. “No guys here for you. No girls here for me. That’s the deal.”
“I don’t see why it even matters.”
“It’s about keeping promises, whether you like the terms or not.”
“I remember you telling me that you weren’t going to bully me anymore.” She narrowed her eyes. “Did you keep that promise?”
You’re lucky I’m tired as hell today…
“Goodnight, Audrey.” I headed down the hall. “I look forward to you keeping our original promise.”
I hesitated, waiting for her to have the last word, but she didn’t. She just stood there watching me.
“For what it’s worth,” I said, stopping. “That Craig guy is a fucking idiot.”
“Because he sent someone like me balloons and flowers?”
“Because he was stupid enough to cheat on you.”
“That’s what happens to the fugly girls. Right, Taylor?”
Something twisted in my chest at the way she said it—like she still believed it after all this time.
“No, Audrey,” I said. “That’s exactly why it should’ve never happened to you…”
