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“You can’t do that. You can’t destroy my life for that fat bitch.” She jumped to her feet, tears forgotten, and there was a sigh around the room from the others who were in shock, I think. There were raised voices, but I heard none of what was being said because I was doing everything in my power not to explode.
“I’d planned to end it at just taking away your hefty allowance and making you get a job to support yourself, but your lack of remorse last night and now again today cinched it for me. You are exactly what you sound like on that recording.”
“The person you pretend to be in front of me is a façade, and quite frankly, I don’t like you. Get this through your head; I am done with you. I won’t accept an apology for Steph or me ever unless, somewhere down the line, I see a distinct change in you, one that I can believe. Save it!” I held up my hand to stop her from speaking.
“You’re a detestable human being. I won’t regret the things I’ve done for you in the past, but I won’t ever support you again.”
“Just because of that? It’s because you never loved me. How could you choose a complete stranger over your own flesh and blood? Mom, dad, do something.”
“Be quiet, Roz. You brought this on yourself.” My dad spoke up for the first time.
Roz broke down and just fell on the floor with great heaving sobs. I guess the enormity of the situation was now hitting home, now that she realized neither mom nor dad was going to change my mind. “I’ll see the rest of you once she’s gone, and we’ll work something out for the future.”
“When are you bringing your young lady home to meet the family son?”
Pop asked the question that had been bothering me all night. I’d planned to introduce her to them sooner rather than later but now, “That all depends on the rest of you. Just know that I won’t be bringing her around Roz anytime soon.”
“Are you saying you’re leaving the family?” Mom asked in a panic.
“No, just Roz.” I left after that, not willing to subject myself to any more pleading. I felt like shit as I walked away, but it had to be done.
I’ll never forget hearing those words or the way they made me feel. And knowing that only made my heart hurt for Steph. There’s no guarantee that it wouldn’t be repeated again at some point, that she wouldn’t be subjected to that shit to her face and from my sister, no less.
The girl I just saw and the one I heard last night is a complete stranger to me. Nothing at all like the sweet little girl who used to follow me around with her hand held firmly in mine. It felt as if I’d lost a vital part of me, I won’t lie. I never imagined severing ties with anyone in my family; I never thought there was anything that could make that happen.
With that, I realized that I wasn’t just falling in love with Steph; I was already there. I pulled up her number on the dashboard, and she answered almost immediately. “Hi baby, do you want to do something?”
“I thought you were busy.”
“I finished earlier than I expected.”
“Sure, I’d love to do something with you.” That tone in her voice; she’s such a freak.
Steph
I hung up the phone giddy as a teenager. Last night, what I remember of it, was amazing. For a while there, I was sure there was something on Mace’s mind and had even played around with the idea that he was leading up to breaking up with me. No man has ever gone overboard to please me like that before, so I was expecting the equivalent of a goodbye gift and shown to the door.
But as it turned out, it was far from it. There was something on his mind, sure, but whatever it was, it wasn’t about us breaking up. And the sex afterward was something for my journal. Hot, rough and out of control, and oh so very pleasing. Every touch made me feel desired, beautiful and wanted.
Mace is always good in that department, but last night was a whole new beginning. I didn’t ask him what had brought it on; I think I was too wary to ask, truth be told. I’ve never seen Mace lose his cool, and though he’d done a good job of hiding whatever it was that was bothering him, I still sensed his anger just beneath the surface.
Maybe that’s what he’d had to take care of this morning because his voice sounded much better, lighter, in that call just now. I got up and went into the closet to find something to wear on this bright sunny day.
