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She cuts me off, “Don’t judge me, Miss Perfect. You have no idea what it would have been like without him to save our asses.”
“I do. I remember.”
“If you remember, then shut the fuck up. If it weren’t for Ronnie, you would have been on the streets. Everything I did, I did for us,” she hisses. “That fancy college cost a lot more than money. So did the food you ate. You have no idea what I had to do to keep you fed. To keep you safe all this time.”
Her words sting. Because they’re true.
I know it in the bottom of my gut that, if it weren’t for Ronald, I’d probably be dead. Or worse . . .
A shiver runs down my spine for a reality I know would have been mine, had Erin not intervened.
My sister might not be the best person, but she did make sacrifices for me.
“I’m sorry, Erin. You’re right.” Despite my desire to rid myself of her toxic presence, I do know she kept me alive.
“It’s fine. You’ll make it up to me like you promised.”
I nod. “I will. Just need to get through these months.”
“Maybe if you try to butter up the son . . .” She licks her lips. “Maybe I should . . .”
“He would never go for that.”
“What are you saying? I’m not good enough for Trent Aldridge? Or are you already spreading for him now?”
“No. I don’t do”—I shake my head—“That’s not what I said.” Not even close. I hate that her thoughts are so binary—defend and attack. Sex and pride. “And I don’t want to fight with you. He hates us. There is nothing we can do to get the money faster.”
“Fine, whatever.”
We sit in silence, then Brad moves to stand and walks over to me.
My body instantly tenses.
He looks down at me with a look in his eyes. One I know too well from seeing them replicated on Erin’s past creeps.
“I’m sure you can think of a way to convince him not to hate you . . .” He dips his chin down.
His gaze lingers too long over my chest, and I feel dirty. Not the first time a man in my sister’s life has made me feel this way. But now I’m older, stronger, and use my voice.
I get up and move toward the door. Away from him. “I’m not going to do that.”
“Well, bills are due soon, so you might need to reconsider it,” Erin adds into the conversation.
With a sigh, I look at her and ask, “How much do you need to tide you over?”
Before Erin can give a number, Brad walks closer again. “Three grand, minimum.”
“I don’t have access to that kind of money.”
“Then find a way to get it, dammit. If there is nothing else, you can fuckin’ go,” Brad says. “The bills are due in four weeks. Tell your boy toy you need money for school. It’s yours, right?” He doesn’t wait for me to answer. “Then there ain’t no problem asking for it.”
“Fine.” I head out the door.
The trip was a waste of time.
My sister gave me no information I needed.
Not true.
