Page 11 of The Sidekick

If I thought it was cramped before, it’s nothing compared to the six hot men now taking all of the air out of my apartment.

“Hey,” Trevor walks in naturally as if he’s been here a hundred times before, coming over to hug me. I want to sink into his arms, but it feels wrong to use him as a support when he’s just my boss. I half-heartedly return the gesture before I back into the sink to get away.

“Eat,” Max says with a frown, tossing me a donut. I fumble, catching it, and stare at the glaze. Why is he talking to me? And it’s three in the afternoon. When did they get these?

“Come on, let’s sit down and fuel up,” Trevor wraps a tense arm around my shoulders and leads me towards the loveseat. The concerned glance he shares with Max doesn’t go unnoticed by anyone. The shuffle of feet as people try to get out of the way without running into one another should be funny, but I can’t laugh.

Trevor sits beside me, one arm around my shoulders that I can’t find the will to shake off, and Max sits on the floor with the coffee table between us. He sets a box of donuts down and takes one, biting into it as he watches me intently.

“One of you could close the door,” Trevor suggests darkly as he reaches for his own food and takes a bite.

“We aren’t staying,” Felix says. I only know it’s him because of the tone.

“Bye,” Max says without inflection, and I can’t help but stare. I actually saw his mouth move this time. He really can talk, the big faker.

“She’s going with us,” Alec informs us, and I’m surprised. I’ve finally realized that a bunch of pushy jerks are in my place, demanding I do things.

“Why would I do that?” I ask in confusion, drawing all the hostile glares in my direction.

“Because Andi is worried about you,” Ira tells me in a slow voice as if he’s said it several times. Well, he may have, and I just don’t remember.

“I’m fine,” I look down at the donut so I don’t have to see the judgy looks I’m getting.

“You aren’t fine, babygirl,” Trevor frowns at me, rubbing his hand up and down my arm. It feels so nice I want to melt right into him. Just hand all my problems over and let him carry them for a while.

“Babygirl? You call all of your waitresses that?” Blaze takes a step forward threateningly. “Some boss you have there, Tera.”

This is the first time I’ve ever heard him say it, and it’s my fault somehow. And why does it matter? He’s just being nice. It’s what Trevor does. I remember one time Diana came in crying because her boyfriend broke up with her, and he let her stay in his office all her shift to play games on his computer. He even paid her and gave her all the tips he got for the night. He wore her name tag and everything.

Of course, they have to try and rip him to shreds, too.

“Get out,” I say to the donut in my hand. I’m tired of listening to all the venom they spew without caring about how it affects people. They can pollute someplace else with their words.

“Excuse me?” Blaze takes another step, surprised.

I lift my head and stare him right in the eyes, something I try never to do with any of them. If I meet their eyes, they’ll acknowledge me long enough to try and tear me down. If I don’t see them, they can’t see me. I let the numb feeling that’s been keeping me company take over my voice because I don’t think I could ever say this without it.

“I said, get out. I won’t sit here for another second listening to all of you degrade every part of my life anymore. I’m done with it. Go be jerks somewhere else, far away from me. I’m no good. Trouble. I’ve been arrested before. I’m probably only friends with Andi because I want her stupid money. Or her crappy boyfriends. Maybe I’m working my way up to identity theft, too. Or arson. Sadomasochism. And when I get arrested again, I’ll just tell the cops Andi made me do it so I can get a coffee. Isn’t that what you’ve been telling her? What else have you said about me? How long did it take you to wear her down so she wouldn’t even answer my calls anymore? Was it a week? A month? How long did she hold out with all of you telling her how rotten I am? Or did she even hold out at all?”

I’m rambling. Why can’t I just go back to being quiet?

“Tera,” Felix tries to interrupt my tirade in his arctic tone. It tips me over the edge into pure rage when I see him holding my torn-up backpack, one pant leg sticking out as if it’s trying to escape. Who gave him permission to go through my things? Now I have to wash the rude cooties out.

I pop up from my seat and scream, “Get the f-f-fuck out! I never want to see any of you again!”

Wide eyes stare at me, and I take a second to breathe in shock, my hand flying up to cover my mouth. I just cursed out loud. My mom would be so disappointed in me right now. The F-bomb! What was I thinking?

When Alec opens his mouth to say something, it snaps me out of my guilty daze, and I throw the donut at him. It smacks him in the face, and he blinks at me in shock.

“I won’t have anything to do with any of you anymore. Just disappear, and I’ll do the same. Problem solved. No more fake worry for criminal Tera,” I sneer over the words, poorly imitating a mixture of Felix’s tone and Blaze’s.

“I’m free to live my life of crime and debauchery, and so are you. Bye!” I’d wave, but my hands are clenched into fists at my sides, and I’m a little worried I’m going to hit someone. Violence isn’t the answer to my problems, but it is sooo tempting.

Max begins laughing, not trying to cover it up, and I stare at him. I’ve never seen him smile, much less laugh. This can’t be the same man I’ve worked with for years. It’s not possible.

He calms down enough to inform me gravely, “Sadomasochism isn’t illegal if it’s with consent.”

“Oh, whatever, Max!” I stomp my foot and glare at the laughing jerk. “Like I would know.”

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