Page 90 of Getting Over You

“Boys,” Belinda croons. “There’s absolutely no need to fight.”

I’m met with the most smug smile, a light in her eyes, like she’s excited to watch what she’s done. And then it all clicks.The dinner. Having her newest date show up, even if she didn’t know it was Marcus. Even getting Cade to work at the diner, I’m realizing, was all part of her plan.

She just wanted Cade for herself. Couldn’t stand the thought of me having something she lacked, even Cade.

My eyes are burning. I’m shaking so much that I’m unsure if my legs will let me cross the room to confront her. I don’t know how I get there, but I’m in front of her before I know it.

“You are,” I spit, “the most vile, the most selfish, heartless—”

“Gigi,” she says coyly, the smug grin breaking out into a devious smile, “that’s no way to talk to me.”

I snap my mouth shut, blinking at her.

She has no shame.

I can’t take it anymore.

“I have tried,” I begin, “to be okay with you. I have made every excuse for you. I have told my parents not to hate you, because surely there was a reason behind you leavingmebehind. You weren’t a heartless bitch. There had to be a reason you abandoned me.

“And thenthis. I give you another chance, even though I haven’t heard from you since I graduated high school. You missed my graduation, you know. You didn’t bother to call and congratulate me, no card, nothing. You’ve never done anything that shows me you give a shit about me, Belinda. I am your daughter! I’m yourchild.”

The front door slams shut, and I’m relieved to see Cade still standing behind me protectively. Must have been Marcus who fled the scene.

I wouldn’t hesitate, either. I’d feel bad for him if I wasn’t so full of hatred.

“I had a cruise planned,” Belinda says. “I had a cruise. That’s why I didn’t come to graduation, sugar.” She places a hand on her hip, staring into my eyes. “See what your outburst has done?You’ve made Marcus think it was bestheleave. You have no idea how to behave in front of guests, do you, sugar?”

“Stop fuckingcallingme that!” I exclaim. “I hate nicknames. I’ve never told you that, so you could keep the peace in your dreamland where you’re actually a good mother. I didn’t want to hurt your feelings. But you know what? Fuck you andfuckyour feelings, Belinda. It’s obvious you have never given a damn about mine.”

She’s unmoving—a soulless statue. “Are you willing to destroy your relationship with your mother over some little jealousy squabble, Gigi?”

My jaw drops. “You really think that’s all this is? That I’m jealous of you?”

She levels her gaze at me, lips pursed. “Clearly. Seeing me get attention this summer has evidently riled you. Plus, I’m sure your father is reeling at my success here while he lives hishomelylife.”

I take a breath, my shoulders shaking. “You will never understand, will you?” I feel a tear streak down my cheek. Another. I plead with my eyes and the ache that has started at the back of my throat to just hold out for a few more minutes.

“Why do you think I worked at your diner the whole time I’ve been here? You asked, and I wasn’t going to tell you no. But all you did was not pay me properly, make me work crazy hours, and take advantage of—” I take a breath, but the aching in my chest makes it hard.

“I didn’t force you,” she chides. “You offered.”

“Oh, my god,” I say, stepping back to put some much-needed distance between us. “You are unbelievable.”

“You’re being extremely unreasonable over nothing,” Belinda says flatly. “I don’t know what to say because I have no idea why you’re breaking down on me. On what was supposed to be a good day. A good dinner, that I—” She takes a breath as if to calmherself. “You know what? You will never appreciate what I do for you. It’s a shame that being stuck with your father and that woman made you so ungrateful.”

“My dad and my mom are the best parents,” I whisper. “They are the best parents in the entire universe. You don’t know a thing about that. You don’t know how to be a good parent, let alone be a parent at all.”

I turn, storming past Cade and up the stairs to start packing a bag. He follows me closely, and when we reach my bedroom, he clicks the door shut.

“Is it wrong of me to say that I’ve never been more turned on by you in my life than I am right now?” he mutters.

I throw a pink satin pillow at him. “Mommy issues turn you on? Now who’s the creep? Maybe youdidmake a move on her.” I cackle wetly.

“Give me the biggest fucking break, princess,” Cade sighs, his jaw pulsing. He loops an arm around my waist, pulling me into him and kissing the back of my head. “Pack quick so we can go get you some ice cream.”

“I never thought the woman who brought me into this world would be the one to try and steal my boyfriend from me.”

Cade’s eyebrows raise. The hairs on the back of his neck are surely standing at attention. “You know what I mean,” I tell him as we climb the stairs to the apartment.

---