Page 245 of Unexpected Hero

Not by the church.

Not by myself.

And damn sure not by this jealous, bitter skank.

“Are we done now? Ya good?” I ask, my rib cage heaving with rage, and my fist choking my water bottle like it has an asphyxiation kink— and yes, I know what that means despite what this bitch may believe.

Vanessa eyes me down long enough that I can count the hairs on her upper lip. Finally, she plasters on a fake smile, softens her shoulders, and takes a step back. Then another.

“All good. Just a misunderstanding. I’m sorry for talking about him like that. I’m sure you two will be very happy.”

She doesn’t mean it. Her hairy upper lip is curled with blatant disdain, and her eyes can’t hide the hate in her black soul.

But I don’t care if she believes it.

Because I believe it.

I dismiss her with a curt nod and my own fake smile, adding, “There we are then.” That was Papa’s secret code for calling Mama a twat — There We Are Then.

Freya stands between us, looking confused as I do when I’m trying to decide whether it’s effect or affect.

Needing a moment to calm down, I announce, “I’m going to use the restroom now. If you’ll excuse me.”

For some reason, I tip my head like a Southern gentleman and prepare to exit stage right while my water is still in my hand instead of running down her face.

“Me too. My bladder is about to burst,” Freya tosses, grabbing my hand to stop me from making a dramatic exit à la Scarlett O’Hara. “Vanessa, can you get me another cosmo? Get yourself another beer and a shot. It’s on me. In fact, get us three shots. Here’s my card.”

Freya flings her credit card at Vanessa and begins weaving through the crowd toward the bathroom, dragging me behind her.

When we get there, it’s just as you’d imagine. There’s a crap load of girls waiting for the three precious stalls, as per dance club tradition.

Although we didn’t have clubs like this back home, Stella and I made a few trips to Tallahassee to experience nightlife a time or two after we turned twenty-one. Sowing our wild oats, minus the sowing. At least it wasn’t sexual oats — just learning to drink and dance after being denied fun for years.

I cross my arms and park myself in the potty line. Smoke still fumes from my ears.

Freya promptly pulls me out of line, dragging me to the corner of the restroom. Reluctantly, I comply while wearing a pout that would make Keira Knightly proud.

Attempting to get my attention, Freya lowers her face a few inches from mine. Unfortunately for her, I’m distracted by an oddly-dressed lady singing and dancing in front of the sinks.

She’s wearing a tuxedo shirt with a black bow tie, cummerbund, and tiny black hot pants. In a lovely soprano, she sings about everyone needing to pee faster to move the line along.

Freya recaptures my focus. “Lettie girl, I’m so sorry about Vanessa.” Her tone is apologetic and genuine. “Believe me, I had nooo idea she was such a cuntface. Hell, I didn’t even know she was into James. I mean, I knew they scened before, but I had no idea she was a psycho.”

“She’s obsessed with him.” I shake out my shoulders and twist the ends of my hair around my index finger. “That woman is friggin’ lucky I didn’t cloud up and rain all over her. Why did you invite her?”

Freya nibbles her lower lip, her eyes flitting to the ceiling. “The last few weeks, she’s been constantly suggesting the three of us go dancing. But what I don’t get is this. If she’s that hostile toward you, then why on earth was she so insistent we all hang out?”

“Maybe to fuck with me? Get in my head? Mess with our relationship? I don’t know how crazy people think. Too bad she drove, or else I’d slash her tires. I can bring out my inner trailer trash pretty damn fast in a pinch.”

Shaking her head and fighting a smile, Freya wraps her arms around herself. “Honey, I feel like shit. This was supposed to be a fun night to cheer you up. I was just trying to prevent the guilt trip she’d have given me if she heard we went dancing without her after. I never would have invited her if I knew she would start shit with you. Can you forgive me?”

“Of course I can. How could you have known? She’s never said anything about him to you, right?”

“Not once. I would have shut that shit down immediately. No one messes with my girl.”

I attempt to smile at that, but I’m still spitting mad.“Nothing says GNO like half the group endingup in the bathroom bitching about the other half.”

“Sad facts.” She glances over her shoulder. “Before we get back in line, let me say this. Don’t you dare let the things she was saying get to you. She was wrong for poking at you like that. And damn wrong about what she said. It’s not true. You are plenty enough for him. More than enough. Any man would be lucky to have you, especially him. I’ve never seen him this happy before.” Pausing, she darts her eyes from side to side and pinches her mouth to the corner. “Like ever. Come to think of it, I’ve never seen him happy at all. Or sad. Wasn’t sure he had emotions. Honestly, he was kind of a robotic sex machine until you.”

---