Page 34 of Trash Talk

“I’ll just tell him myself. Either way, she’s done using Knox. For anything. I’ll make sure she never gets between us again. I just wanna know why she did it. It’s not like she doesn’t have money; her family is loaded. If she didn’t want to be a single parent, there are other options available. She didn’t need to trick Knox. So why?”

“I don’t know; just be careful. People like that, can’t be trusted. Make sure you record any conversations you have with her. Not that Knox wouldn’t believe you, it’s just always good to have proof.” I nod, sage advice. “And if you need any help, I’m available for backup. I’ll skip out on movie time for you. I’m a firm believer that there’s a special place in hell for shady bitches.” I know that’s right.

“You and me both, sister,” I say and cheers my glass to hers.

I used Knox’s cell while he was in the shower to text Brit last night.

Need to talk. Meet me at La Mesa tomorrow at 2.

If I have to deal with her, I can at least have something enjoyable while I do it, and tacos always put me in a better mood. She’d replied:

Okay, can’t wait to see you. Kissy face emoji

This bitch.

I’m sitting at the back booth when she walks in, she looks around for Knox, but doesn’t see him. She talks to the hostess, who leads her to my table. When her eyes meet mine, she knows she’s been tricked. Doesn’t feel good to be lied to, does it, Brit?

“Oh, I must’ve gotten confused. Will Knox be joining us soon?”

She’s still standing, waiting on me to answer. I have the sneaky suspicion she’ll leave as soon as I say he’s not coming, so I lie. “Yeah, he’ll be here in a few. Why don’t you sit down? Have some chips and salsa. There’s something I’d like to talk to you about before he gets here.”

Now, she looks really uncomfortable. “Oh, that’s okay. Spicy foods don’t really agree with the baby. I’ll just wait for Knox and order something bland.”

“Suit yourself,” I say, shoving a salsa-laden chip in my mouth.

“You know what? I think I’m just going to use the restroom before he gets here.” She moves to scoot out of the booth, but I don’t let her get away.

“Sit down, Brit. I promise you’d prefer to hear what I have to say without an audience.” To my surprise, she slides back into the booth across from me. The server sets a glass of water in front of her and asks if she’s ready to order. I have already, but she will not be joining in on my taco-fest, so I smile up at him and say, “She’s not staying long. But I’d love a bowl of fresh guac.”

“What do you want to talk about Roxy?” She asks as soon as our server is out of earshot.

“First off, you know my name is Ruby. You’ve only been jealous of me for fifteen years. Is that why you’re doing this? If you can’t have him, you don’t want anyone to? Do you just not want him to be happy?”

She laughs, that annoying little laugh of hers, “I have no idea what you’re talking about. Did something happen, you know, with you and Knox? Did y’all break up? Oh, you poor thing. I hope it didn’t have anything to do with me, or the baby.” I want to slap that faux sympathy right off her face. But I don’t, ‘cause I don’t go around hitting pregnant women. She looks so smug. She honestly thinks she has the upper hand here. It’s almost funny. I can’t wait to see her face when she realizes, she doesn’t.

“Here’s the thing, Brit. You’ve done this twice now. It’s almost like you knew Knox and I were together, so you purposely tried to drive a wedge between us. It may have worked before, but it isn’t working this time. The bond that Knox and I have is strong. My only real question is, why? I mean, I know you’re a jealous person, but I also know that you’re vain, selfish and materialistic. There’s no way, the only reason you did what you did was to get Knox back. You don’t even love him. So why, Brit?”

She laughs again, and I have to clench my fists under the table. I can’t believe how badly I want to hit her. “Wow. He must’ve really done a number on you. I mean, I get it. He’s a catch. I was hurt when he broke things off with me. But you need to stop blaming me for your problems. He must’ve finally realized that y’all don’t belong together.” I cannot believe she is this deluded. “Wait. Did you send me that text last night?” She’s finally figured it out. I just need to pop her illusion bubble before she leaves.

“Yes, I did Brit. I sent it because, I know.”

“You know. You know, what?”

“I know what you’ve done. Someone overheard you and Jess yesterday at the animal clinic. I know the baby isn’t Knox’s. I know you tried to get Jess to side with you against getting a DNA test. And I know you lied to Knox about the baby the first time you pulled this stunt.” I don’t know why I threw in that last one. I guess I thought I could trick her into telling me the whole truth. And I’ve always wondered. “So, I’ll ask again. Why?”

Her face contorts. I really can’t tell if she’s going to scream, cry or vomit. I’m hopeful, it’s none of the above. I really don’t want to deal with any of that right now. Thankfully, Brit isn’t a fan of public spectacle, so I don’t have to. “Have you told Knox?” Bluff Master Rubes in for the win!

“No. I thought I’d give you the chance to come clean to him yourself.”

“Why would you do that?”

“Because Knox deserves to know the truth. He deserves to know it from the person who has pretended to care for him and lied to him for years. He deserves for you to explain why you did this to him.”

“How did you know I lied the first time? I didn’t say anything about the baby not being Knox’s to Jess yesterday. Who told you?”

“You just did. I didn’t know. It was a hunch. Thanks for confirming, though. Brit, I may be able to tell him what you’ve done, but only you can tell him why. Now, I may not deserve to know, but Knox certainly does. So, you can tell me now and I can relay the message if you’re chicken shit, or you can be a woman and tell him yourself. Either way, he will know the truth tonight.” I’m praying she gives me something. I’m just so damn curious.

But she gives me nothing. Just nods her head and slides back out of the booth, before quietly adding, “I’m sorry. I thought it was my only option.” Then leaves me to eat my tacos in silence.

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