Page 56 of Shameless

Crew’s withering glare is full of warning. “You don’t know shit about me and what happened in Cambridge. Stay out of my fucking business and leave my brother alone. Rikki is headed to MIT in a few weeks and Trevor’s death is a fucking blessing. It’ll make it easier for him to get clean.”

Rather than backing down, Paris ups the ante. “I’d be careful if I were you. If the sheriff heard you, he might think that’s a motive to kill Trevor right there. And it isn’t a secret that you never forgave your father for skipping town.”

A storm is brewing in Crew’s dark blue eyes. “You know nothing about me and my family. Stay away from us, Paris. I fucking mean it.”

She flicks her hair, her chin jutting out, her tone defiant. “Fuck you, Crew.”

A low growl comes from behind Crew.

Napoleon comes barreling down from the kitchen, jumping on his owner’s lap and baring his teeth at Paris.

“The fuck?” she squeals, jumping backwards to put more space between her and the snarling pooch. “I thought you and I were past that bullshit, Napoleon.”

Crew chuckles darkly, but he keeps Napoleon from closing the distance between him and Paris. “If you think a couple of pieces of beef jerky will buy Napoleon’s loyalty, you’re even more delusional than I thought. He just saw you yell at me, you’re lucky I’m holding him back.”

Paris’s tone is aggressive, but the way she paled speaks volumes about her fear of Napoleon. “If he bites me, that’s it. I’m going to have your psycho dog put down.”

“Will you guys stop?”

The desperate plea comes from Rikki, who’s been sitting next to London this whole time, watching his brother and Paris like you would watch a tennis match.

Tears stream down Rikki’s face, his trembling hands raking his bleach blond hair over and over. “Paris, maybe we should cool it off with the partying. I—I’m gonna go back to rehab.”

The tension in Crew’s shoulders eases a fraction at Rikki’s words. “That’s a great idea, Rikki. I’m glad you’re ready to take control of your future.”

Rikki nods. “I’ve had time to think at the police station. If you and Stefan hadn’t stayed with me all night, I would have been with Trevor. A part of me wishes the shooter had caught up with me when I ran. I miss Trevor so fucking much.”

Paris rolls her eyes. “Stop acting like you cared about him. You were his friend just because he gave you anything you wanted. Since the night we met him, all you’ve done was using Trevor and cockblocking me. Every time I wanted to get laid, you were in the way, just begging for a fix.”

London speaks for the first time. “Paris, that’s enough. You’re projecting. If you were so into Trevor like you said, you wouldn’t have been flirting with every guy who would give you the time of day at Maura’s party.”

I’ve seen the twins bicker before, but I’ve never witnessed a full blown fight.

“What was I supposed to do? Every time I thought Trevor and I were gonna have sex, he disappeared on me. And the few times we were together, he was so wasted his dick wouldn’t even gethard. He had too many distractions.” She accuses, pointing her finger at Rikki.

“I wasn’t a distraction,” Rikki says, his brown eyes full of unshed tears. “I was in love with him. And Trevor had no problem getting hard with me, even when he was high.”

Another thing I never thought I would see is a speechless Paris.

“What—” she keeps babbling, clearly shocked. “What the fuck are you talking about? You and Trevor?”

Rikki nods, hot tears steaming down his handsome face. “Yeah. I am - I was in love with him.”

She shakes her head, struggling to come to terms with what Rikki just admitted. “You were hooking up with my boyfriend?”

“Trevor wasn’t your boyfriend. And to me it wasn’t just a hookup. I?—”

“You fucking piece of shit!” Paris snarls. “You were trying to steal my man and cheating on my sister?”

London intervenes again. “He wasn’t cheating on me. Rikki and I want to explore beyond the two of us. He’s attracted to guys and I’m trying to figure out if I’m gay or bi.”

Shock mixes with the fury on Paris’s face. “You knew? You knew he was hooking up with the guy I liked and you didn’t tell me?”

London remains calm in perfect contrast with her twin sister’s agitation. “I would have told you if I thought you had feelings for Trevor. But like I said before, you’re accusing Rikki of doing exactly what you’ve been doing. You wanted Trevor because he was older and popular in town and you didn’t mind the freebiesyou scored by hanging out with him. Acting like you cared more than you actually did is in bad taste.”

Paris raises her voice. “So that’s it? You’re taking his side over mine?”

“I’m just calling it the way I see it, Paris.” London says softly. “And I’m glad you weren’t in love with Trevor. The last thing I want is to see you heartbroken.”

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