Page 33 of Rousing Renee

“She can’t have you wrapped around her finger to the point where I mean nothing to you, Ezra.”

“No, she doesn’t.” I leaned close to her to make sure she heard every word I was about to say. “We can’t get back together because you made it so. You can excuse yourself now.”

I wanted to be far away from this restaurant right now. She’d sullied it with her bullshit. Roxanne stepped out of the way to let Renee through.

“Is everything okay?” She smiled.

“No, but it will be,” I said to her as she walked around Roxanne.

“Okay.”

“He’s going to treat you like shit!” Tammy spat as she stood up, not glancing at Renee. She quickly exited the booth, not daring to turn around.

“Tammy?” Renee asked as she recognized her.

Tammy whipped around quickly. “Renee? You’re fucking Renee McMillian!”

“Whoa,” Renee said, stepping back. “Why so hostile?”

“Darlin’, you’re going to have to go. I don’t allow this kind of drama here.” Roxanne said.

“I knew you wanted him, though you’d never admit it. Always wanting whatever belonged to me.” Tammy said, ignoring the request.

“Are you sure about that? You’re the one who stole my cheerleading scholarship because you couldn’t handle me getting it over you.” Renee retorted.

“Is that what they told you? They simply chose the better person.”

“Lies. You never wanted to cheerlead after high school. There was no need to apply or try out. You did it because you were jealous. And about Ezra, you knew I had a crush on him. I told you before you said that one day you were going to do whatever it took to make him yours. So I think you have your facts wrong. You want everything I have.”

“Tammy, she told you to go.” I sighed. She was fucking up my night and Renee looked like she was going to clock her at any given moment. I didn’t want to get put out of the only restaurant for miles.

“I was leaving. This bitch is the one who called out to me! Did you really come here for a job offer or did you come stalking this psychotic bitch? You know she’s fucking unstable and cuts herself, right? You know, y’all deserve one another. Neither of you gave a fuck about me.” Tammy turned around to walk away and before I could blink, Renee was running toward her.

I grabbed her before she reached Tammy and spun her around in the opposite direction.

“Did you just try to sucker punch me?” Tammy asked, now turning toward us.

“Fucking leave!” I spat at Tammy.

Instead of going in the direction back to our booth, I turned and pulled Renee into the bathroom while she was still trying to get to Tammy. I slammed the door and locked it.

Renee stormed into the stall and slammed the door. There was a knock on the front door, and I ignored it. Tammy wasn’t the woman I was concerned about. The one I needed was locked in the cubicle having her moment.

When she didn’t come out or say anything to me, I exited the bathroom, ignoring the looks being shot my way. I apologized to Roxanne for the disturbance and went to the booth. Sitting there, I waited for Renee to come out. Regardless of when she came out, we needed to talk. I’d be here when she surfaced, not only because I was starving, but I needed to make sure she was okay.

An hour later, the door opened, and Renee walked out of the bathroom. I’d gotten up to check on her and heard her crying and talking to someone on the phone. I gave her privacy and ordered mozzarella sticks to tide me over, watching basketball on the small tv in the corner until she appeared.

“Hey.” I sat up and gestured for her to come over to me.

“I think I should go, Ezra. I need time alone.” She sighed. Her eyes were puffy, and she sniffled between words.

“You don’t look like you need time alone. You need to be held.”

“I can’t be cuddled with you right now.”

“Why, because Tammy’s tantrum got to you? That’s what we’re not about to let her do.”

“What?”

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