Page 5 of Mayhem and Minnie

“No. I’m not,” I add slowly.

“Well, Julius is bringing his fiancée, and it will be our first time meeting her. I want everything to go well. I think she might feel better if there’s another woman around?—”

“He’s bringing her to the party?” I cut her off. The last thing I need is for my mother to talk to me about women—again.

“Yes, of course. Julius is excited to introduce her to us. He proposed, too.”

“That’s news to me.” I narrow my eyes.

I don’t speak with my brothers unless it’s through Mother. We’ve never been close. Each of us has different personalities that have never meshed well. But to hear that he has a serious girlfriend that he actually proposed to? That’s quite…interesting.

But not surprising.

At thirty-five, Julien is an accomplished heart surgeon and the face of his hospital. He’s the charming one, all smiles and fake platitudes.

He only cares about his reputation. Since the expectation was for him to get married soon, he of course decided to do what’s right. Never mind that he probably has a slew of other women on the side.

He’s a fucking selfish prick.

“Marlowe, why would you call me if you cannot be bothered to talk? You’re worrying me, you know.”

Another glance at my watch has my anxiety spiking again. The time is dwindling.

Damn it.

“I have to go, Mom. Have a good day,” I say as I hang up.

Immediately, I pull onto the road and start the long drive home. With the icy roads, I have to drive carefully, which means I’ll lose even more time.

Double damn it.

This snow annoys me, as does the white background it creates.

I hate white.

A tired sigh slips past my lips.

Fifty-two days until I have to go to the family gathering. Fifty-two days until I have to bear the presence of other humans in my proximity for an entire day.

Fuck.

I hate people.

2

It’s almost dark by the time I make it onto the highway.

Twenty-five minutes until I arrive home, and the minutes cannot go by fast enough.

My house is located in Upstate New York, an intentional choice on my part since it’s in a secluded area, with my nearest neighbor a few miles over.

From the moment I moved out of my parents’ house, I knew I wanted to move somewhere remote, where no one would bother me. My family knows the general location of the house, but they don’t have the address. No one does. By all intents and purposes, no one, not even the government knows who resides there. My mailing address is in the city, and I drop by a few times weekly to pick up my mail.

This is both for my peace of mind, since I don’t want anyone to drop by unannounced.

I hate guests.

But it’s also because at times, I might engage in some…questionable activities. And it wouldn’t do for my neighbors to hear people’s screams coming from my house, would it?

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