Page 85 of Blades of Obsession

“Amelia!” Frankie beams, practically tackling me in a hug. It hurts a little, but I swallow any moans of pain that want to slip out. “I missed you!”

“I missed you too,” I reply, before breaking free to grab a plate. The food is laid out on the table in serving trays, so I pile on anything that looks good.

“So, how was your trip?” Frankie asks.

“My trip?”

“Yeah, Ash said you found out your mom was in Colorado, so you took a trip to get her. That’s why you were gone for a couple of days.Andyou missed our spa day, which I may or may not forgive you for.”

I pass a look to my mom, who shrugs, so I turn back to Frankie and say, “It was nice. Lots of mountains and beautiful scenery.”

“Guess what?”

“What?”

“We’re going to the mall later!Woo!” Frankie starts fidgeting in her chair, doing a little dance with her arms out, fingers pointed, moving them in a circle around the table while humming.

“Frankie, have you had a lot of sugar or something?”

She abruptly stops, fingers still pointed. “Don’t tell anyone that.”

I laugh. “Okay?”

The blonde, I think her name is Amie, leans forward with an overly bright smile. “So, Amelia, any plans for the weekend? Maybe we can go skating or something.”

I shrug noncommittally. “I’ll let you know.”

Even though I don’t plan on letting her know. This happens at least once a week, some random girl filters through the house trying to play nice and be my friend. You’d thinkthey’d take the hint when I’m always nonchalant and indifferent in my responses.

I know Blade is some kind of big deal around campus, but why do they try so hard to be friends with me? For cool points? To steal him away? To be able to hang around him more, eat lunch with us?

I cut into my pancake, but I immediately notice the texture seems off. I inspect one of the pieces more closely. “Is this gluten-free?” Everyone at the table shrugs, so I stand. “I gotta go ask Julie—”

“Ask me what?” Julie’s voice cuts in as she walks through the side doorway of the kitchen.

“Oh.” I sit back down. “Are the pancakes gluten-free? They look different.”

“Yes, you know everything I cook for you is gluten-free. I just used a slightly different recipe since everyone would be eating this time. Is it good?”

“Wait, you cook for Amelia a lot?” my mom asks, her eyebrow raised.

“That’s why I’m here. I’m here three to four days a week, and I meal prep for the rest. I usually don’t spend the night, but last night it got pretty late.”

My mom’s mouth falls open as she stares at me. “I didnotraise you to be like that, young lady. To rely on someone else’s labor. Like she’s your servant or something!”

A knot tightens in my stomach at her disapproving look. “Mom, it’s not like that.”

Julie chimes in. “Yes, it’s perfectly fine. I love cooking, and I love Amelia. Plus, I make almost five times more here than at my old job.” She chuckles.

My mom’s voice takes on a sharp edge. “This is exactly what I was afraid of leaving you with your father. You not being raised right.”

Her words cut deep. Her harsh tone is a far cry from the woman I knew six years ago. She would never speak like this, especially to me.

“I work hard too,” I reply. “It’s not fair to say I’m spoiled or wasn’t raised right.”

“Clearly you weren’t because now you’re talking back. I never thought I’d see the day.”

As she continues her tirade, the door to the dining room section of the kitchen swings open, and Blade walks in, his presence instantly shifting the energy in the room and commanding everyone’s attention.

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