Chapter 11
Jude must’ve stepped away, phone in hand, because his voice came through in a low growl. “I do whatever the hell I want, Ada. You don’t get to fucking babysit me.”
Fine by me. Not my circus, not my monkeys,” I said, voice flat as a pancake.
God, I was so over this dance with him. Done and dusted
I should’ve clocked it the first time he strolled in with some woman dangling off his arm like a trophy.
But no, I was too busy being a sap, bawling into my pillow like my life was a damn tragedy
Nights were the worst–lying there, scripting how I’d bare my soul to him, every syllable rehearsed, every pause timed
I was so fucking scared of wrecking him, of seeing those eyes go dim, of leaving him gutted..
What a pathetic joke. It was obvious now: I was not worth a single tear in his world. So why drag up the truth? No use crying over spilled milk.
Sull, I must’ve poked the bear, because he was back at it, voice like a chainsaw. “What’s with the snarky bullshit, Ada? You really think you’ve got the right to play judge and jury‘
“Let’s get this straight; everything in this place? My cash. You don’t get to stand there acting like you own the damn joint.
“And don’t even think about messing with Vivian. She’s not your average fling, so keep your claws off her.
“Haul your ass back to the office, or I swear, you won’t see a fucking penny.”
I thought he’d slam the phone down, but he didn’t. Stubborn bastard was holding the line, waiting for me to crack.
After what felt like a century, I drawled, “Alright. But I’m billing you overtime, big shot”
“Fuck’s sake, deal!” he snapped.
The call cut off, but not before Vivian’s syrupy voice slithered through, purring, “Jude, baby”
That name–it used to be mine, soft and special, just for us. Now it was hers, and it burned like cheap whiskey.
1 knew in my gut that jude and Vivian weren’t just screwing around.
He was parading her through the office like she was royalty, the two of the glued together like a bad rom–com.
She was splashing it all over Instagram, each post a middle finger aimed rightat me.
My heart gave a weak little lurch–until my phone pinged. Three grand for overtime, wired straight to my account.
Poof, the hurt vanished like smoke. If I could just treat him like my boss, maybe I wouldn’t feel like I was drowning
Then he saw I’d grabbed the cash in a hot second and sent a voice message long enough to choke a horse.
I didn’t even hit play–just switched my phone ofT. Why waste my time? I could recite his crap word for word.
Same old song, year after year, painting me as the money–grubbing bitch. So what was the crime in taking what was offered!
The day I got out of the hospital, Casey was stuck jetting off for work. She kept pushing to have her folks drive me home, but I dodged, saying a coworker was on it.
Leven staged a quick selfie with an Uber guy to shut her up. Worked like a charm.
When I finally limped back to my place, I heard Toro’s whiny yips.
My neighbor, Mary Carter, sweet as pie, flung her door wide. “Oh, honey, you’re home! You’re holding up okay, yeah!”
She swiped at a tear and took my hand, her grip warm and steady. “Dear, girl, you’re all skin and bones”
“Hey, skinny’s where it’s at Ireased, giving her hand a squeeze. “Saves me sweating it out at the gym, right!”
Her kindness, so real and effortless, thawed the ice in my chest. Toto was going nuts, circling me like I was his whole universe, tail wagging so hard it could’ve powered a jet
Mary kept yelling at him, “Slow down, goofball, she’s not strong enough for your tackle bugs!” So he just kept looping, too hyped to chill. 11/2
1:19 PM c d
Chapter 11
I dropped to my knees, and Toto’s tail went full–on helicopter. I hugged his big, slobbery head, and for the first time in forever, a real unile spread across my face.
“Jude, Jesus Christ, that dog’s a fucking beast–scares the shit outta mel“Vivian’s piercing scream made me jump and set Toto barking like crazy.
I stood there, watching them roll up with their matching couple’s luggage, decked out in tacky coordinated outfits. How did I end up here, staring a the wreckage of my lifet My gut twisted, a bitter cocktail of fury and heartbreak clawing at me.
Jude gave me a once–over, his frown deepening. “Damn, Ada, you’re wasting away. What’s the deal?”
“None of your goddamn business,” I snapped, my voice sharp enough to cut glass.
I crouched to stroke Toto’s Israd, intrmuring for him to cool it.
Vivian, quivering like she’ll seen a ghost, ducked behind Juile, “Jude, you swore you’d get rid of that mutit Why’s it still here?”
She kept up her pathetic act. “My allergies are finally clearing up, Jule. Can’t we just ditch the damn thing?”
“You heartless fucking shit–say that again, I dare your planted myself in front of Toto, my stare boring into Vivian like a laser.
This bitch stole my guy and now wanted to slaughter my pet Over my cold, dead body. My blood boiled
Teo caught her malice and my anger, going ballistic, his barks echoing my rage.
Jude pulled Vivian into his chest, glaring at me like I was the villain. “What’s your fucking problem, Ada! Since when do you swear like a goddamn trucker? You’re losing iir
Loving it She fucking earned that I fired back, my voice sharp enough to cut glass. “Touch one hair on my dog, and I swear you’ll regret ever crawling into my life, you pathetic leech. ‘Try me, bisch!”
My chest heaved so violently it felt like my heart might burst, the old wound in my side throbbing, stealing my breath.
Jude took a step p toward me, but Vivian latched onto him like a barnacle, “Juile, she’s nuts! That dog’s a fucking menace!
“Big dogs like that aren’t even allowed in the city, right? Let’s call the cops–don’t they put down rabid muity?“”
Her voice shook like she was scared, but that sig glint in her eyes was pure venom.
That’s when it slammed into me like a sucker punch. Dog allergies? Afraid of Toto? Fucking lis
She knew Toto was my whole world, and she wanted to rip him away just to twist the knife in deeper.
This bitch thought she could break me? She was about to learn I didn’t crack–fucking shattered shit.
I thrust Toto’s leash into the neighbor’s hands and, channeling every ounce of fury in my veins, yanked Vivian toward me.
Crack–Crack-
Thour two slaps landed like lightning bolts, her cheeks swelling red in seconds.
She lunged at me, claws out, but Jude shoved me back before she could touch me. “Adda, what the–fuck!”
A vicious snarl ripped through the air. Toso broke free, launching himself at Jude and sinking his teeth deep into the arm that’d pushed me, clamping down hardl
12/2
