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I smirk and get in her face. “I know you. He left you. Did you try and manipulate him, too? I don’t care about your woes. I only care why you felt compelled to mess me up? Tell me. Tell me now. It’s time. ” It’s my cruel voice again, but she deserves it.

“You want to take my brother just like you took the rest of my family.”

“What on fuck crazy earth are you talking about?” I smirk at this cray bitch. Then step back so I can get a full view of her. She puts her shoulders back and shakes her hair.

“Your father was absent so you took mine.” She says in a deep tone of voice, “You could really be something if you acted more like Jillien. Did you know Jillien got all A’s? Jillien’s the star of her soccer team. Jillien got a scholarship to Northwestern, that’s a tough school. I’m proud of Jillien. Should we invite Jillien to join us? I just love that Jillien Thompson. Just talked with Jillien’s boyfriend, helluva guy.”

I stumble backward. Her hand slaps over her mouth, shocked she let her shit slip.

We stare at each other for a long time, dodging the power of all these revelations.

“You did all of that to me because you have daddy issues?”

She scoffs. “That’s a simplistic way to look at it, but you don’t get to have Liam, too.” I sit down, and she crosses the room. I look at her and all my anger abates. It’s just gone. Released. The resentment and fear all evaporate while I’m sitting in the chair where I had one of the best orgasms of my life.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were hurting. I don’t think there’s a path forward for us, Leese, but you’re dead wrong about two things.”

Her voice is calm and collected. She fixes her perfect brown football helmet hair and wipes around her lips for nonexistent feathered lipstick. “What was I wrong about?”

“I was always your friend. And I do get to have Liam. He was meant for me, and I for him. And despite your best efforts, some force brought us back together. And not even you are strong enough to fight against that. I look forward to meeting your kids, but if you’ll be so kind as to get the fuck out of Liam’s house. It’s not yours. You didn’t call the police—you don’t have the authority. But I have a key, and the neighbor will vouch for me. So if I were you, I’d go before I call the cops.”

I grin and walk across the room. I stand in front of her and air-kiss her. “Kisses. Cheers and all that.” A phrase she used to say often.

“Enjoy your moment.” She winks.

I take off into the dining room and hear the screen door slam. I grin until I turn the corner. Boxes. The whole house is packed up. There’s no furniture. There’s nothing but boxes. Where’s he going? Where’s his history?

46

LIAM

I roll over to check my phone. The hammock and the sounds of the shore are the only things getting me through these fucking days. Jesus. The cats are trapped on my back deck and lying in the sun. I missed them. I can’t believe I spent so much time without my familiars. I grin at them.

I answer my phone these days for work or to make sure my mother doesn’t need me to lift something heavy down at her house. She came up to stay in her house about a week after I moved out here. She’s left me to my own devices for the most part, but Bev won’t be able to leave me alone for long. She keeps going back and forth to Philly.

My phone is rapid-fire notices now. She should be in the city now, so who knows what this is. Something at work must have blown up. Or my mother needs more jam. I’m not sure what to do with—holy fuck.

JILLY: [Selfie in Fletch’s kitchen]

JILLY : [Selfie in Fletch’s living room]

JILLY :[Selfie holding the red tin]

JILLY :[Selfie in Fletch’s bedroom]

JILLY :[Selfie in the attic, on the couch]

JILLY: [Selfie sitting on the hood of the car]

JILLY: Where are you? Please talk to me. Or don’t, but can you listen? Please.

LIAM: You’re in the house!?

JILLY: Oh My God. HI!!! I’m so happy. I’m so so happy. Like happy dance, Jillybear, happy you’re answering. I’d hug one of the cats happy. If it’s Other Cat. Tuxedo hates me. I’m sure of that. That one is totally #teamfletch.

LIAM: What do you want?

I almost fall out of the hammock. I swear and pace, like she would do. Fuck. I head to the shoreline. Each picture is goofier than the last. And more beautiful. She’s acting like my Jilly on the phone, but it’s false hope. Walking along the shore it’s a little crisp, and the wind is whipping a bit, but I need to feel the ocean spray to handle whatever she wants to say to me. I’ve refused contact. I’m not sure why she’s not getting the message. I wait for her to answer.