Abby continued to stare at Ricki.
“Fine.” Ricki threw her hand in the air and sat. Then she tossed her cellphone past Abby into Blythe’s lap.
Blythe stared down at the phone. Had they seen something that upset them online? Had a hater made an ugly comment on Abby’s post? She picked up Ricki’s phone and tapped in the code.
A text message greeted her. Not just a text message, but a picture. A selfie of Missy. The plunging neckline of her dress left little to the imagination. The text read:Take me out next weekend. You won’t be disappointed.
Blythe’s jaw tightened. They’d been having an incredible weekend, and Missy had to rear her ugly head.Fuck no.Blythe wanted to shoot off a text to Missy. Instead, she tossed the phone back to Ricki, which bounced off her leg and landed with a thud on the ground. Too bad it hadn’t fallen into the fire.
“I see.” It was all Blythe could muster.
What had Abby said? Blythe knew the pair had exchanged words, but she’d not been listening.
Ricki picked up the phone and slipped it into her pocket. Her expression was an odd mixture of sadness and defiance. Apparently, Ricki couldn’t decide if she wanted to be militant or remorseful.
“That’s all you have to say?” Ricki said with an edge to her voice.
“You’re an adult.” Blythe had plenty to say, and if they were alone, she would, but she wouldn’t embarrass Ricki in front of Abby.
Abby’s head whipped around. “That’s it? That’s all you’re going to say to her?” The anger in Abby’s voice was evident as she spat out the words.
“Don’t yell at me about it.” Blythe raised her voice.
“Don’t take it out on Abby.” Ricki pointed at Blythe.
If Blythe weren’t so upset, each telling the other not to yell would have been humorous.
“Apparently, someone doesn’t know how to keep their mouth shut since Abby seems to know all about Missy.”
“She was worried about you.” Abby’s tone no longer held anger, just sadness. “I was worried, too.”
Abby’s softer approach seemed to break through Ricki’s defenses, and her eyes glistened with unshed tears. “I don’t know why you’re making such a big deal about it.”
Abby stood and kneeled in front of Ricki. She put her hands on Ricki’s knees. “It’s a big deal to Blythe. Granted, I wasn’t here for it, but Blythe isn’t one to overreact. If she fears what Missy might do to you, then I’m scared, too.”
A tear rolled down Ricki’s cheek, and she swiped it away. “It was two years ago.”
“And she almost destroyed you.” No longer able to contain the frustration coursing through her, Blythe leaped from her seat. “I don’t understand. Why now? Why would you even think about it? You’re in such a better place.”
“Am I?” Ricki yelled. She glanced down at Abby, who still kneeled in front of her. “May I please get up?” she said to Abby and reached out her hand.
Abby took it and allowed Ricki to help her to her feet. The juxtaposition between Ricki’s anger and her politeness was mind-bending.
Once Abby was on her feet, Ricki stood and squeezed past her.
“Of course you’re in a better place. What does that even mean?” Blythe said.
“Are you that stupid?” Ricki raised the beer bottle as if she was going to chuck it into the fire, but she pulled it down. Instead, she placed it on the ground by her chair before she approached Blythe. Standing only inches from her, Ricki shouted, “Tell me how wonderful my fucking life is.”
Blythe opened her mouth to speak, but Ricki cut her off.
“I’m in a job I hate with the biggest asshole of a boss—ever. But I’m too big of a fucking coward to quit.” A shadow crossed Ricki’s eyes. “But then again, somebody has to pay the fucking bills.”
Blythe flinched. She knew while she was trying to build her online presence that Ricki shouldered more of the expenses, but they’d agreed to it.
Ricki’s face fell. “That was a dick move. Uncalled for. It’s what we agreed to.”
“Still,” Blythe said. “It’s causing you to feel trapped.”
