Page 119 of Fall With Me (Sugarland Creek)

I blow out a hollow laugh. “You're unreal. After eleven years, you finally confess she didn’t jump and you can’t even be truthful enough about it to admit you pushed her unprompted.”

She holds up her hands in mock surrender. “Ya know what, believe whatever you want.”

“Get out,” I say, defeated.

“What? You can't be serious.”

“Just…leave. Please, I can't look at you anymore. You are my biggest regret.”

She overdramatically gasps but it’s all for show by the way her nostrils flare. She’s only mad I’m not buying into her bullshit anymore.

“How can you say that? We spent nearly every day together as kids. Sleepovers, shopping trips, movie theater outings. I loved you like a little sister.”

“You loved manipulating me. You're the reason I spiraled and became someone I wasn't.”

“Don't blame me for your little depressive episodes. If it wasn't for what happened, you woulda never gotten into barrel racing and made a successful career out of it. You should be thankin' me.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose because talking any sense into her is a loss cause. “You're certifiably delusional, Angela. And I don't say that as a joke, either.”

“Wow, that hurts,” she snaps, her jaw ticking as if she's trying to control her emotions. “What about the money, then?”

I should've expected she'd bring it up because that's probably the only reason she kept me in her life this long. She only valued me if I blindly followed her.

“Fine, you can have it. But then I never wanna see you again. I mean it, I want you out of my life forever.”

“You can't be serious. We're family.”

“And family doesn't do what you've done to me. If you want the money, that's what I want in return. Go start your life over…far away from Sugarland Creek. Don't bother my parents or your mother. She's suffered enough from your actions, too.”

“I think whatever medication they gave you is causing you not to think clearly. Maybe you should take some time to reconsider?—”

I fold my hands in my lap and sit up straighter. “I'm thinking more clearly than I ever have and it's so obvious now what you did. And you're not even remorseful for it.”

“Whatever.” She turns and grabs a purse off the chair, then slings it over her shoulder. “I’ll text you my account number so you can wire it. Once I do my six months at the re-entry center, Gage and I will find a place out of town.”

“Gage?”

“Yeah, my boyfriend. He's been my pen pal for the past couple years. I coulda sworn I mentioned that to you?” She shrugs casually. “I've told him all about you.”

Oh my God.

“Angela, no. You can't move in with him.”

Even though I want nothing to do with her, doesn’t mean I want to see her get hurt. Gage is bad news.

“Why not?” She crosses her arms, pouting like a defiant teenager. “You just told me to get lost and now you're tellin' me what I can and can’t do? You don't even know him.”

“He…”

Before I can explain, the door opens and my parents enter with Aunt Phoebe.

“You're awake,” Mom cries and rushes to the side of my bed, taking my hand. “You feelin' okay?”

Angela bails without a second glance or goodbye to her mother, and I watch as the door closes behind her.

I nod. “Great.”

“They gave you something to calm your racing heart and it knocked you out for a while.”

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