Page 185 of Unhinged

“I think they’re right to a point about Hadley.”

“For fuck’s sake, Simone. I’m so tired of talking this to death.”

I shrug against my pillow as I wipe an unexpected tear. “But you haven’t. You’ve avoided it to death.”

“You’re not a psychologist yet. Can you please give me a break until then? I’ve lived with two all my life. It gets old fast.”

“I never said I’ll be one. But it’s good to know you’re already tired of me helping you.”

“It’s not like I’d come home every day and spew legal advice to you, but you’d be psychoanalyzing me constantly.”

I sit up and look over at him as he plays on his phone. “I wouldn’t do that.”

He laughs. “You’re doing it now.”

I throw the blanket off me. “No, I’m not.”

I see his eyes roll. Oh, I don’t think so.

Not tired anymore, I go to my suitcase to find my swimsuit. I always pack one for swimming emergencies. Clutching it, I grab a few other things I’ll need.

From the bed, Greg asks, “What are you doing?”

“Nothing.” I go into the bathroom, change into my lime-green-and-black string bikini, put up my hair, and then throw on my T-shirt and pajama bottoms. When I leave the bathroom, I grab my shoes.

“I’m sorry.”

I scoff, “For what? Telling the truth? That’d be nice once and a while.”

“What do you think I’m lying about?”

I shrug. “At IHOP, when I asked if you had been in love, you said yes. But you never said how many times and to whom.”

“It’s just been you.”

I shake my head as I prop my foot on a chair and tie my shoe. “I think your sisters saw something you didn’t. And now you do too.”

“Like what?”

After tying my other shoe, I straighten. “I think you loved…or love…Hadley.”

He’s swift on defense. “What the fuck? Why are you doing this? We’re friends. She’s married.”

“So are you.”

“Right. So, no.” He crosses his arms with an irritable frown. “I told you I love her as a friend. Why are you harping on me?”

“I’m not harping. I’m not even judging you for it, but I think you hide things.”

“You saw me in the damn shower earlier today. Was that hiding?”

I sigh. “Sometimes, I do feel like the rebound. You couldn’t get with her, so there’s…me. A plaything to kill time. Ready to fuck whenever.”

“Rings? Vows? Remember?”

“I believe you’re committed, but we didn’t start out like a normal couple, so I have valid concerns.”

“Seriously, Simone. Why are you jealous of something that isn’t true?”

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