Page 43 of Interference
“I…” She trails off.
“What? Tell me. You can tell me anything,” I urge her.
Then she reaches out and grabs my hand. “I think I can face anything with you by my side.”
It’s not a declaration of love, but it’s a step in the right direction.
I’ll take it.
“Good. Now let’s go get you a foot-long Coney dog with chili cheese.”
She smiles wider. “Extra chili and cheese.”
I laugh. “Whatever you and Apple want, you get.”
If she were mine, I would lean across and kiss her on the lips, but we aren’t, so I do the next best thing.
I lean over and kiss her temple.
One day.
eleven
Standing in the kitchen, I set the pitcher down and put the lid on my water bottle after refilling it. The front door opens then closes. Grabbing the pitcher, I put it back in the fridge.
“Hey, how was class?” I ask Ashley as she comes into view.
“Fine.”
Something about her tone sets me on edge.
I turn to look at her. “Is everything okay?”
She crosses her arms over her chest. “Actually, no, it’s not.”
“What’s up?” I ask as I lean against the counter.
“What’s wrong is I didn’t know I was living with a whore,” she spews.
I can’t help but flinch when her words hit me.
Whore? She thinks I’m a whore?
“Excuse me?” I manage to say.
“When I agreed to live with you, I didn’t realize that I was moving in with the hockey team’s whore. It’s no wonder you got pregnant.”
Her words hit me hard. I can feel the tears building in my eyes, but I will them away.
“Look, I don’t know what you’ve heard, but I’m no one’s whore,” I spit out.
She scoffs. “Really? Does Brett know?”
“Does Brett know what?” I ask.
“That you’re hooking up with his best friend. Don’t even try to deny it. I saw Wyatt here the other night. Is your baby even Brett’s, or are you settling for him because of his money?”
Is this bitch for real?
