Page 244 of Unexpected Hero

Talking in a dance club is dumb.

In fact, dance clubs are dumb.

This bitch is dumb.

I hate everything about this night. I should have just talked to James about what was bothering me instead of going out. He’d have apologized and spent the rest of the night between my thighs.

Maybe I should leave soon. I wonder if he’ll come pick me up. I’m sick of this thundercunt anyhow.

But then again… there was a sign on the door saying they were having a singing contest at midnight, and I already registered. The prize is a thousand bucks. If I am pregnant, that money could come in handy.

Vanessa shimmies her shoulders to the music, her eyes trailing up and down my body with her nose scrunched.“That’s a cute dress.”

My cheeks pinch with my fake smile.

“Doesn’t she look gorgeous tonight? Her shoes are new too.” Freya points at my heels, which aren’t new; they’re borrowed from her. Clearly, my friend doesn’t want to give Vanessa more ammo to use against me.

She purses her lips, her face doing nothing to hide her disdain. “Beautiful. Exactly like a Barbie doll.” She adds a fake grin that’s more of a nose twitch than a smile. “No wonder James is so smitten with her.” Right as the music quiets for a song change, she adds, “For now.”

She’s either gonna apologize or wear my drink.

And homicide is still an option.

“What’s that now? You got somethin’ you wanna say about my man? Either spit it out or keep his name out yer mouth.” I’m too ticked to try suppressing my twang.

She attempts to pass for confused, her ugly face contorted.

Guess I have to draw her a map. “You keep bringin’ him up, so you must have somethin’ you want to get off yer chest. Say it to my face and quit beatin’ around the bush.”

Looking affronted, she steps back and puts her palm to her chest. “What do you mean? I thought we’d just talk about our common ground. You know? Since we’ve both played with him. What’s the big deal?”

“That’s the thing. He’s not a game to me.”

Vanessa looks at Freya with her mouth agape and a barely restrained laugh rattling in her chest. “Is she for real, Freya? I knew she was inexperienced, but come on. This is hilarious.”

Freya stands dumbstruck, shock written on her as plain as day. Like me, she probably can’t believe this is happening.

I step in front of her, leaving Vanessa no choice but to look at me. “Do we need to have a Come to Jesus Meetin’, you and me?”

She juts her chin and arches an over-plucked brow. “When I said playing, I didn’t mean like a game. If you had any idea about the lifestyle, you’d know that’s what we call partnering or doing a scene. Or do you not know what that means either? Should I explain that to you and your simpleton vanilla mind?”

My drink suddenly feels damn heavy in my hand. I might need to toss it at her face to lighten my load.

“Vanessa, I don’t give a damn what it’s called, and I sure as hell don’t give a fanciful feathered flyin’ fuck if you know more about the lifestyle than I do. I won’t tolerate being shamed by you about something that’s nunya business.”

She steps closer, bowing her chest like she has a right to be offended. “Face it, blondie. You can’t possibly give him what he needs. You’re only interesting to him because you’re new and shiny. So you can sing? Big damn deal. He’ll be back on top of me soon enough. He always is. You’re just a phase. Better enjoy him while it lasts.”

I don’t back down, getting right up in her craw. “If I had a dick, this is when I’d tell you to suck it.”

Her stupid jaw drops, and her beady eyes bulge.

But I’m not done. “Now listen up, ‘cause I’m only sayin’ it once. Stop tryin’ to get under my skin. That dog won’t hunt. Face the facts, Regina George. Regardless of your past with him, that man is mine now. And I will fight for him. I give him everything he needs and more. I am not a phase or a simple fuck. That would be what you were. Any questions?”

Freya tugs at my arm, pulling me back. I shake free of her grasp and flay Vanessa with my bitchiest bitch face.

I’ll be damned if I’m ever going to feel shame about my sexuality again.

Not by my mama.

---