Page 40 of Unhinged

I seethe, “So she’s the one who blabbed to you?”

“She didn’t know I’m your mother, and she didn’t use Greg. I deduced it was you.” My mother frowns and looks away from me.

“Really? And what name did she use?”

Mom shakes her head. “Nothing.”

“Sounds legit. Name?”

“She said her friend’s name was Rod. Okay? I know that’s what everyone in Richmond calls you.”

Putting my hands on my hips, I have no response to that.

“But what do I know since I’m just a stupid kid, Rod?”

That hurt worse than anyone else ever calling me that name. Even Morgan.

My mother says, “Yes, I took a chance with Simone, but Amos spoke highly of her. I even called Hadley—”

I tear my gaze from the overstuffed pinata and shriek, “You what?”

“I wanted to ask for her opinion. She’s your best friend.”

“No. How could you?”

“Hadley said she loves Simone. She also mentioned you haven’t talked to each other in months.” Mom’s judgmental eyebrow shoots up, and I know I’m in treacherous waters.

“So?”

Chewing on her lip, Mom glances at Simone and then into space, like she’s building a mental puzzle. Shit. That’s the last thing I need her to do.

“Why haven’t you talked to Hadley? Normally, when you were down here, apart, you’d call her all the time. You’ve brought her here. Eden and I adored her. You and Hadley were so close, but not lately. Now, you’re having a fit about her sister-in-law? None of this makes sense.”

“I don’t need this shit.”

She shakes her head as she focuses on me. “If she didn’t have a boyfriend, I’m sure you would’ve dated Hadley because I know you…” Her eyes widen, and they freeze me to the spot I’m standing. “Oh, my God. Did you leave because of Hadley?”

I cross my arms and laugh when I really want to cry. “First, it’s her and now Hadley? Forget it.”

“That’s why. Hadley.” Accurately taking that as something more, she gasps. “Greg, did you have an argument with Hadley? Or did you and Hadley…? Please say… You didn’t. She’s a married woman.”

Realizing I’m saying far too much without saying a damn word, I’m stuck in a rut of despair and rage that I need to aim at the source. “Fuck this.” I storm over to Amos and Garrison, whose blue eyes widen. Beneath her Sherpa coat, I gawk at the swell of her tit in her purple sweater.

“Oh, Greg. I want your mouth on me.”

Thinking of the night in her bedroom infuriates me more. She has zero control over me.

I stop at a distance because any closer and I’ll choke them. I go with a simple question. “Why?”

Amos holds up his hand. “Rod, let me explain.”

“I said to stop calling me that!”

“I apologize, Greg. It’s fine. We’re leaving.”

“Oh, no, you’re not.” I turn my glare to Garrison, who still looks shocked and hotter than all hell. I hate that. I should’ve nailed her that night instead of crying like a toddler meeting a mall Santa. Then she’d have to live with the misery of knowing we fucked.

Garrison sniffs, not from crying, but from her prissy attitude. Throwing her nose in the air, she says, “I never wanted to see you again. Do you think I came here on my own?”

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