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“One, I don’t want name-calling. Two, I don’t want to be demanding or bitchy. Three, I don’t want him to know where I am.”
“Why the fuck not? After what he did?” Audrey scoffed. “He should know you escaped as far away from him as you could.”
“I don’t want him thinking I ran to my grandparents because of him. I didn’t. I just wanted some distance and space to clear my head. And I don’t want any hassle or fighting. Hence, the no name-calling. He doesn’t know where I am, and I don’t want him to.”
“Don’t you think he has some idea?” Jenny asked.
“He thinks I’m still at Nev’s.” I sighed. “How about . . .” I suggested, taking my phone back and typing, “I need the money I gave you. Can you do a wire transfer to my account? Thanks.”
I could imagine the eye-rolls behind their shaded lenses. But like Grams always said,You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.
“I guess. Sounds kinda weak with the ‘thanks.’ But it gets the point across.”
“That’s all I need it to do. Well, that and convince him to give the money back.” My finger hovered over the send button. “What do you guys think? Is it okay?”
“Send it,” they conceded. I exhaled loudly, a huge huff of air, and with it, the weight of the world finally lifted off my shoulders.
“Okay.” I clicked the button closing the screen. “That’s done.”
Audrey’s lip curled up. “Fucking bastard.”
“Cheers to that!” I held up my mug for them to clink.
DJ, our favorite waitress, brought our breakfasts over. I ordered biscuits and gravy, my go-to after a heavy night of drinking. Lemon ricotta pancakes, crème brûlée French toast, and a Spanish omelet were the gals’ other favored dishes. You’d think four girls ordering breakfast would be simple. But with us, as per usual, the table was covered with dishes galore—entrees, sides, and huge cups of coffee.
We sat, enjoying a last cup of coffee after we cleaned our plates. My phone chimed, indicating an incoming text message.
“Oh, gimme, gimme. Took the asshole long enough.” Audrey snatched the phone to read Tim’s response. “Hey, Siena. It’s Michael. . . Ooh,” she read, raising her eyebrows. “Just wanted to let you know I’m bringing the plans over Friday night. Sophia said that’d be a good time,” she finished, a sultry cadence in her voice.
“How’d he get my number?”
“How’d you get my number?” Audrey typed, then smiled gleefully as she pressed send.
“What the hell, Aud? Why’d you text that?” I screeched.
“I thought you were dictating,” she giggled, brushing me off with a wave of her hand. “Ooh, he’s texting back.” She danced in her seat as we all scooted closer, watching the dots move on the screen. “Sophia gave me your number since she didn’t know when you’d be back,” she recited aloud. She wiggled her eyebrows. “Oh! Another one.” We watched in anticipation as the dots blinked again. “You’ll be there, right?”she read.
“Sounds like someone wants to see you,” Lauren crooned in a singsong lilt.
“Oh! Shut up!” I snatched the phone away as they all laughed.
“Yes, I should be there,” I read aloud as I texted back.
“Should?” Jenny scoffed. “Like you have something better to do?”
“Um, maybe I’ll be out doing something.” They rolled their eyes. “Or maybe I’ll be washing my hair.” I rolled my eyes back at them.
“You wouldn’t dare!” Jenny shouted.
“Oh, wouldn’t I? It’d serve him right.”
“You can’t!” Lauren insisted.
“And why not?”
“Because we need more juicy details!” Audrey added.
“And I’m living vicariously through you, remember?” Jenny exclaimed.
