Page 19 of The Mating Frenzy
“You spoil that damn cat,” he muttered. “Cats belongoutside.”
“Darcy is a member of my family.” Ella folded her arms across her chest and gave him a pointed look. “If you don’t like it, you canleave.”
She snapped on the television and turned it to an educational program so she wouldn’t have to talk with thecreep.
Stan settled on the sofa, and gave her a dark look. “Be careful, dollface. One day you might come home from work and find your little kitty swimming in the pond. Or lying on the side of theroad.”
A chill raced down her spine. She went to the chair, picked up Darcy, stroking her fur. “Good thing I never declawed her. Darcy has defenses of her own. And Mom would never forgive you if you touched Darcy. You may think my mother worships the ground your dirty boots touch, but never forget that I’m first in herlife.”
She narrowed her gaze. “So keep your big paws away from mycat.”
A smile touched his face, but never reached his eyes. “Aw, heck, dollface, I was only joking.” He patted the sofa. “Come here and sit by me and tell me how work hasbeen.”
Stan had gotten her the job at the restaurant. She hated that fact, but the tips wereexcellent.
I’d rather sit atop a pile of live coals.“I’m comfortablehere.”
Nellie came into the living room, her hair carefully combed and curled. She wore her good blue dress and cosmetics softened the age lines bracketing her mouth andeyes.
“You look lovely,Mom.”
Nellie flapped a hand. “Oh posh, it’s nothing.” But shebeamed.
As her mother went to sit on the sofa next to Stan, Ella took Darcy into her room. Then she locked the door and pocketed the key, a habit since the creep had started showing up more and more lately. Darcy had water, and there was a litter box in thecloset.
She’d be safehere.
When she went back into the living room, the television still blared, but her mother and Stan were kissing. They didn’t even look up as Ella grabbed herbackpack.
“I’m out of here,” she announced to no onelistening.
They kept kissing. It was as if Stan cast a love spell on her desperate, lonely mother.If this is was sex is all about, losing your common sense and forgetting your own daughter, I’ll take being a virgin, thank you verymuch.
So much for the job. She doubted her mother would make it to work ontime.
Disgusted, Ella slammed the door behind her and headed for her bike. Her mother would end up having sex with Stan. Good thing her heart was strong enough forthat.
Ella pedaled out of the driveway, the wind whipping her hair as she raced toward the restaurant intown.
Was her life ever going tochange?
