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Jack ran a hand through his hair and shook his head. “You started it all. The day we met, the day you moved in, you put a bag of dog poop in my mailbox.”
“I did that,” I replied hotly, “because you pushed me!”
“Because you pushed my brother first.”
“I pushed him because he didn’t believe Brandi and I were twins. He called me a liar.”
Jack gestured emphatically. “So you admit you started it.”
I clenched my jaw. “That doesn’t excuse the way you teased me for nearly a decade.”
He turned away and shook his head. “You’re unbelievable.”
“Just admit that you feel guilty,” I insisted. “It’s the reason you’re being so nice to me, isn’t it? Helping with the fabric and everything else today.”
“I helped you today because I was trying to be a nice guy.”
“Be nice to someone else. I can take care of myself.”
“I’m sure you can, Alyssa.”
The way he said my name like a curse made me growl angrily. I wanted to storm off, but he was my ride. And I couldn’t afford a Lyft all the way across town.
I crossed my arms and fumed until it was time to go.
18
Alyssa
I struggled to sleep that night because of how annoyed I was at Jack. The nerve of him to help me, and then insist it had nothing to do with guilt. I had been suspicious when he stopped by the store and offered to help; I should have trusted my instincts.
And I was just starting to like him again. I should’ve known better.
“You’re overreacting,” Brandi told me while we drank coffee the next morning. “Thanks to him, we sold ten more bolts of cloth yesterday! And word has spread among the other stores I called. They’re all rushing to scoop up our inventory for cheap. We should have all of it gone in a few days.”
“A few favors doesn’t erase years of bullying,” I said stubbornly.
“Jack was a lot of things,” Brandi said, “but he was not a bully. Besides, who cares why he helped? I don’t give a crap about his motivation, as long as it means we’re finished sooner.”
“It matters to me,” I muttered. “I don’t want him to think he’s off the hook.”
Brandi’s phone chimed, and she glanced at it. “Then you’re not going to like this.”
“What?”
She cocked her head at me. “You know, I don’t think I want to tell you. You’ll just pout about it all day.”
I snatched her phone out of her hand. Ignoring her protests, I read the screen.
“Our Airbnb stay has been extended by a week?” I said. “At no additional charge?”
“Apparently he’s letting us stay here longer. For free. This is a good thing, but you’re probably upset, aren’t you?”
“Of course I’m upset! Brandi, we have to find another place.”
“Another place? Alyssa, it’s free!”
“I don’t care.”
