Page 149 of Something So Strong

“I am not!”

Leaving my side, Jesse steps to her. “So why were you tidying his room and putting him back to bed when he had night terrors?”

His words are like a knife to my chest, then my guts, then a slash across my neck from ear to ear. “What?” I knew I wasn’t crazy, but the thought of her coming into my room… It just doesn’t make sense. “Why would you do that, Alma?” My hands shake and my eyes sting with rising tears.

“I didn’t want you to—”

“Fuck.” My voice is feeble at best as I stumble back into the corner.

Every breath draws the walls in closer until it feels like I’m suffocating.

I clench into the fabric of my shirt and wring it in my hands to try to stop their shaking.

Never. Never did I ever expect that she’d abuse her power.

When I’m alone. Sleeping. Completely vulnerable. She’d let herself into my room?

I don’t know what she did. Could have done. What she wanted to do.

“How long? How many times?” I mutter.

“Babe, it’s okay.”

“No, it’s not,” I snap—pushing away the hands that touched me only for my eyes to focus on Jesse’s face. “I’m sorry,” I mumble quickly. “I’m not mad at you, but…”

Looking into his eyes, the walls stop pulsing.

My breathing slows, and I find my strength.

“I’m fucking pissed.”

I step around Jesse.

“You know everything. Everything! And you do that shit to me? You were the first friend I ever told.”

“Friend? Is that all I ever was to you?”

“How many fucking times? I never promised you anything else!”

“But you kept coming back.”

“Just cause I was tired of meaningless sex didn’t mean I wanted a relationship. I liked you, I told you that, but I never agreed to anything more. Jesus!”

“So what do you call this, then?” She dares to demand—pointing between Jesse and me.

“A relationship!” I yell back at her. Alma opens her mouth, but I’m not done yet. “Jesse never lied to me. He took his time, respected my boundaries. He knew my story before we ever hooked up. He’s been by my side with me, not trying to control me.”

“I never tried to control you.”

“I don’t wanna hear it, Alma! I’m done with you!”

“Done with me?”

“Done!”

“Alright, who wants first—”

Esther stands awkwardly between Jesse, Alma, and me—her eyes shooting back and forth between us. The tension around her growing by the second. “Ah… Someone not happy with the new couple?” she jokes dryly, closing the door and leaning against it.

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