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A flash of black silk catches my eye, and I know without really looking who that glossy head of hair belongs to. This is the last thing I want to do, but I need to talk to her. “Sophia!” I call out with a wave, hoping she sees me as she marches down the corridor. She does.
My mouth goes dry as I realize this isn’t going to be pretty. I almost wish we’d have it out because it will happen sooner or later. I took something away that she has always viewed as hers. I wouldn’t blame her for giving me more than a piece of her mind because I deserve it.
She comes to a stop and glares, setting me ablaze with a look alone. “Sophia, I need to talk…” But she doesn’t let me finish.
Her response to me wielding a white flag is a slow shake of the head, while appearing to envision me dropping dead on the spot. I’m nothing but ashamed of my actions, so I need to explain. “I really am so—”
“Don’t you dare say you’re sorry because we both know you’re not.” I don’t bother denying it because she’s right.
“Yes, that may be true, but I’m sorry I hurt you. It was never my intention—”
“Oh, please,” she interjects; her eyes narrowed, and her lips pursed. “You’ve been flirting with him for weeks. I was just hoping he’d see you for what you are.”Flirting? I was? This is news to me.
I swallow, knowing what comes next. “And what’s that?”
She snickers, her customary caring nature completely obliterated thanks to me. “A whore.” I blink once. “One brother just wasn’t enough for you. You had to go and work both.”
Her statement hits a nerve. “I didn’tworkanybody. What happened between Saxon and me was not premeditated. I didn’t mean for any of this to happen.” I sound pathetic as I make excuses for my behavior, but it’s the god’s honest truth.
“Save it. Tell someone who obviously still gives a damn.” I have no idea what she’s talking about until her glacial gaze focuses over my shoulder.
“Lucy, what’s going on here?” Kellie doesn’t hide her utter confusion, but I’m certain she can put two and two together. She is in no way innocent, but I still can’t help but feel like the bad guy.
Sophia is a woman scorned, and I know she will never forgive me for what I did. “Samuel, I’ll call you. I think, from now on, our sessions are best conducted here.”
“Why?” Kellie asks. Moving to stand beside me, she makes a point to look at me. All I can do is peer down at my scuffed sneakers.
“Ask Lucy,” Sophia replies; a final fuck you as she pushes past me, head held high. I stumble backward, already unsteady on my feet.
Sam’s hand shoots out to stop me from face planting. “I’ve got you,” he affirms, tightening his hold on my upper arm. Those words take on so many different meanings.
“Thanks,” I reply in barely a whisper, looking over my shoulder.
The bright fluorescents draw out the gray flecks in his eyes, and now that I can manage to look at him for longer than five seconds, I see that he appears as beat as I feel. His sandy hair sits in angry tufts, thanks to him running his fingers through it and yanking it in frustration. His heavy scruff seems to heighten his weary state. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him this unruly before. The sunken bags and his pale complexion are just the icing on the cake.
I can’t stay here a second longer.
“Lucy, care to explain exactly what is going on?”
Her tone and her high and mighty demeanor are my undoing, and I snap. “No, actually, Kellie, I don’t. I’m tired, and I want to go home.” Her mouth hinges open, moving in wordless animation.
I’ve never spoken to her like this before. I doubt anyone has. But I suppose I’ve never found myself in my current situation either.
Just as she appears to compose herself, Sam intervenes. “I’ll ride with Lucy.” No surprise she insisted he drove in with her. Greg was needed on the farm, but he promised to come as soon as he could. My parents were in New York for a spontaneous getaway, but it didn’t take me long to spoil their vacation with news of my dire need to see my mom.
“Samuel?” Kellie’s hand flutters over her chest.
With fingers still wrapped around my bicep, he stands beside me, never wavering. I quash down the nostalgia because this is what the old Sam would do. He would stand by me through thick and thin. “Go home, Mom. I don’t need you to babysit me. I’m a big boy. Besides, I need to talk to my fiancée.” Bile rises.
Sam is not so discreetly telling her to read between the lines, and Kellie is far from impressed. She had her hooks deeply imbedded into the stranger Sam, but now that the old Sam has returned, she realizes her shit won’t fly. Surprisingly, I’m relieved.
“Very well then, but I’ll be back tonight.” We both know it’s the best compromise we’ll get.
She kisses both Sam’s cheeks, not masking her distaste that Sam has chosen me over her. It’s not that clear cut, but in her eyes, that’s exactly what he’s done. And now that I know their deep, dark secret, I can only imagine how much she hates being anything but Sam’s number one.
She doesn’t bother with pretenses. “You have some explaining to do.”
I’m done being everyone’s punching bag. Pulling back my shoulders, I stand my ground. “I think we all do.” Her hatred for me rises to astronomical levels, but I couldn’t care less. I turn on my heel, not bothering to wait for her reply because I’m certain I’m in for an earful tonight.
