Abby mouthed,thank you,to Ricki and handed her the phone. She stood and put her hand on Blythe’s shoulder. “Come on. Let’s go for that walk.”
CHAPTER 28
Blythe lay on thecouch with her feet propped on the back as she scrolled through TikTok. She went to Sweet Cyn’s page, but there was still nothing new posted. It had been four days since Sweet Cyn’s public meltdown on Sunday, and Blythe still hadn’t heard from her. At least yesterday, Cyn’s sister posted an update, letting her followers know she was fine and getting help.
Blythe sighed and kept scrolling. She hadn’t been home long, but Ricki still wasn’t here. All week, Blythe had been working long hours, taking as many Uber fares as she could. Still, she’d beat Ricki home every night.
“Honey, I’m home,” Ricki called when she entered the back door.
“In the living room,” Blythe called back.
Despite the dark circles under Ricki’s eyes, she sported a smile. “How long have you been home?”
“About half an hour.” Blythe waved her phone and chuckled. “There’s more drama in social media land.”
“You know that shit is like crack.” Ricki dropped into the chair across from the couch and propped her feet on the coffee table.
Blythe sniffed the air. Even though she couldn’t smell anything, she crinkled her nose.
“Stop, you idiot. My feet smell fine.”
“Whatever. You seem to be in a good mood tonight.” It was a baiting comment, but Ricki still needed monitoring.
“I am.” Ricki raised her arms over her head. “Two more days. Friday and Saturday, and then the dickhead is gone for two glorious weeks. Nirvana.”
Blythe’s insides settled. Perhaps she was worrying too much about Missy when Ricki’s job was the problem. “Then I can tell Mom you’re coming to the cookout on Sunday afternoon?”
“Yeah. Abby will need reinforcements.”
“She’s not going.”
“What? Why not?”
“I don’t think she’s ready to meet the whole fam damily yet.”
“She’s okay with that?”
“Uh…I think she was a touch hurt, but it’s for her own good. They’d eat her alive.”
“Your family is wonderful. They’d treat her like a princess.”
“I’m not ready to listen to their shit. The group text has been brutal. My brothers want to meet the woman whose ass I’ve climbed up.”
Ricki laughed. “Typical. How many family things have you missed since Abby’s been here every weekend?”
“Only two. You’d think I’d disappeared forever.”
“In the Willoughby family’s world, two missed outings is sacrilege.”
“I know. That’s one reason I’m not subjecting Abby or myself to their shit.”
“But you’ll subject me to it?” Ricki grinned. “You know they’re going to corner me to get the dirt.”
“And like the best friend you are, you’ll keep your mouth shut.”
“Until your mom asks me, and then I’ll sing like a canary.”
Blythe groaned. “You could never resist her. She’s the biggest manipulator of the bunch.”
