Page 90 of The Sidekick

“You’re fired.”

She gapes at my words, and I stand to walk around Max.

“W-what are you doing?” She finally catches up to how pissed I am and starts stepping back as I advance.

“I’m locking the doors after I toss your ass out of here.” I keep moving.

She turns to scurry away, grabbing her purse on the way past the bar.

“She isn’t even pretty! If that’s the kind of idiot you want in your bed, you really are pathetic.”

Jesus, is this the kind of shit people say to her face? Who the fuck would do that to sweet Tera? I’m a hypocrite because I said a few things that were damning myself. Slipknot is right. People do, in fact, equal shit.

When she crosses the threshold of the front doors, I force them to close faster and lock them in front of her face as she stands screaming insults. I don’t spare her a second glance. If she’s still there in twenty minutes, I’m calling the cops to help her find her way home. I need to start figuring out how I can possibly fix this. The fact that Max thinks it’s possible is the only hope I have right now.

Babygirl,

Are you happy where you are? I hope so. It’s getting harder to pretend I’m ok. How the fuck did you do this for so long?

Chapter Thirty-Two

Tera

When I wake up, I feel hungover. I have an appointment with Dr. Robinson this morning, but first, I need coffee.

I’m stumbling into the kitchen when Shade says good morning from the couch. I wave my hand halfheartedly, focused only on caffeine.

After the first blissful cup is done brewing, I take my time enjoying the nectar of the gods.

“You look like shit today,” he comments, and I turn to glare at him. I almost drop my cup when I realize he isn’t alone.

Felix and Blaze are in the living room, watching me molest a coffee cup. My entire body suddenly tenses as if I’m about to be attacked, even though they’re sitting there looking back and forth between us like we’re a morning sitcom.

My mouth seals shut as I shift in discomfort. I’m wearing a tank top and shorts, my weight loss readily apparent. I feel like I’m walking around naked, and the neighbors are getting an eye full and taking pictures. I shift my arms to block my chest with my coffee cup in a weird huddle maneuver.

Shade leans forward from his position between them on the couch, propping his elbows on his knees. “Why do you look like shit?”

“Would it kill you to be nice?” Felix asks and covers his face with one hand as he cringes.

“If it did, he would rise from the grave twice as jerky,” I comment without thinking.

Blaze laughs and nods his agreement.

“Stop stalling,” he says, ignoring the banter. Shade points at me and then at the empty chair catty-corner from him. I automatically obey, taking a seat with my coffee cup shield as I glare at him. “Start talking.”

I wince and look down at my coffee, feeling like I got called into the principal’s office. “Can’t they go away for a few minutes while you lecture me? This doesn’t feel like a safe zone.”

“Dr. Robinson homework task number 17,” he replies.

“You looked at my therapy notebook?” Why I’m surprised at his lack of personal boundaries, I don’t know. Of course, he read my notes from therapy. “You’re on an endless quest to destroy me, I’m convinced. You’re really my arch-nemesis. Admit it.”

“Number 17 hasn’t been checked off,” he ignores my outrage to continue. “Extend out of your comfort zone with a group.”

“I was thinking about going to an AA meeting or something, not this!” I gesture at his boyfriends.

“You hardly drink,” Shade snaps back.

“They wouldn’t know that! You’re not required to speak!” I defend.

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