Blythe snatched the phone off the bed and shook it at Ricki. “That’s not what the text message says.”
“She asked me out.”
“And you accepted.”
“Yes.”
“Why the fuck would you do that?”
Ricki shrugged. “Why not?”
“She’s toxic as fuck, and you know it.” Blythe shook her head. “But it’ll give you somewhere to go, so you don’t have to spend time with us.”
Ricki looked at the floor. “I suppose.”
“Self-destructive much?” Blythe didn’t hold back her irritation. If Ricki was going to make harmful choices, Blythe wouldn’t pretend it was okay.
Ricki just looked at her and shrugged.
“I’ll tell Abby not to come next weekend. You and I can go to a Cubs game. Go to Milwaukee and rent Jet Skis. Anything you want. I don’t have to spend every weekend with her. Abby will understand. She’ll be disappointed, but she’ll understand.”
“Just stop!” Ricki yelled. “Just stop talking about her.”
“I’ll never stop talking about her until you come to your senses.”
Ricki sat on the bed and put her head in her hand. “Just stop saying her name.”
Blythe stared at Ricki. “I didn’t say her name. I try not to let the spawn of Satan’s name cross my lips.”
“Not Missy. Abby.”
And there it was. What Blythe had wanted to hear from Ricki all along. Ricki and Abby thought Blythe was clueless, but she saw more than they realized. Felt more than they knew. Her role was the loveable fool, and she played it well. That was what they expected of her.
While she might not be as emotionally aware as Abby and Ricki, who were cut from the same ultra-sensitive cloth, she wasn’t ignorant, either. Especially when it came to the people she loved.
“What are you trying to say?” Blythe asked, even though she already knew the answer.
With her head still resting on her palm, Ricki shook her head.
“Say it.” Blythe put her hand on Ricki’s shoulder. “The truth shall set you free.”
“Or destroy me.” Ricki looked up at Blythe.
Blythe smiled down at Ricki. “Nah, I don’t think it will.”
“Don’t be so sure.” Ricki abruptly stood and marched across the room. “Why are you always so fucking upbeat? Cluelessly optimistic? Sometimes shitty things happen.”
“I know that.” Blythe smiled again. “But sometimes incredibly wonderful things happen, too.”
“What, like hitting half a million followers?”
Blythe couldn’t tell whether Ricki was trying to lighten the mood, taunt her, or change the subject, so she said, “Ha. That’s for amateurs. I’m going for two million.” She walked toward Ricki. “If we’re going to move forward, you need to be honest with me.”
“Do you really want honesty?” Ricki said in a tired voice. “Really?”
“Really!”
“Fine.” Ricki bit her lip and looked into Blythe’s eyes, but she couldn’t hold her gaze. She stared at the ground and said, “I’m in love with your girlfriend.”
