Page 19 of Love Bitters

“They don’t know?” Jade asks.

At the same time Jolene says, “You love them.”

One question at a time, I shake my head at Jade as our eyes meet. Then glance at Jolene with a sad smile. “Yes.”

When this first went down and I was calling it quits, it was a lot harder to admit than it is now. After living without them and thinking about them every single day, for weeks, I can say without a doubt that yes, I do love them. All five of them.

The sisters look at each other then back my way as Jade says, “Damn, that’s deep. And I thought I had issues with having to deal with this dumb jerk...I mean, jock, at school.”

“Damn it, Jade,” Jolene demands, sliding my phone back to me and scooping herself a helping of food. “I thought you were going to tell me if that shithead kept giving you problems.”

Just like that, I’ve taken a load of pressure off my chest and received no judgment for my decisions. The conversation has turned to someone else.

I almost feel bad for the spotlight being shone in her direction, but Jade doesn’t seem to mind. She’s talking around a mouthful of salad as Jolene wrinkles her nose in disgust. “Everything is fine. He’s making his way down the roster of the cheer squad and flaunting it all over school. It’s disgusting and makes him look like a man whore, but he doesn’t like it when I tell him so.”

Jolene grins at her sister like I do when she says, “Good. I’m glad you’re not letting that turd walk all over you like you were.”

Rolling her eyes again, Jade disagrees. “Being a designated driver for stupid kids who get drunk at parties doesn’t mean I’m letting them walk on me, sis. I mean, seriously, he’s probably just dating all these chicks to hide the fact that he’s gay and hasn’t come out of the closet yet.”

Automatic response has me on the defensive before I can stop it. “There’s nothing wrong with being gay. Ollie and...” My voice trails off as both their eyes flick up to me.

Smirking, Jade sits back in her chair, crosses one arm over her chest, and brings her drink to her lips, asking, “And what? I never said being gay was a bad thing. Just that he’s trying too hard. But, seriously, I have to know...and what?”

Glancing at Jolene, I see she’ll be no help, probably because she wants to know the answer just as much as her sister does. It’s no one’s fault but my own either since I’m the one who opened the can of worms.

“Ollie, the redhead, and Evan, glasses, they’re a couple,” I confess.

Jade’s eyes narrow a little as though she doesn’t believe me, and her sister’s head tilts centimeters to the side like she’s trying to figure out the answer to a riddle.

“They’re both bi,” I add, clearing up the confusion. “Well, Evan is. Ollie wasn’t really into women other than me.” And just like that, I’ve accidentally brought us back to me.

“That’s pretty hot,” Jolene admits, making her sister give her the side eye like she’s gone crazy.

Jade snorts. “You would find it hot. Bet there are three different guys you’d like to have getting naked in your bed tonight.”

“Shhh,” Jolene hisses, trying to use her hand to cover her sister’s mouth.

“Nope,” Jade declares. “We’re sharing right now, so it’s only fair that you do too.”

My left eyebrow yanks up in question as Jolene’s cheeks turn pink.

“There’s nothing to share,” she tries and Jade snorts again before ratting her out.

With a small victorious pout to her lips, she says, “She was seeing three different dudes at one time. But they weren’t cool like yours knowing about each other and shit. They were pretty pissed when they found out.”

“Damn. I don’t know which of us has it worse,” I murmur. “I think you were right about this book club. It’s just what we all need.”

Jolene shoots me a grateful smile for the subject change. I’m sure when she’s ready to chat about this she will.

“So, how many people do you think would be interested in something like this?” Jade asks around another mouthful of food.

“Freaking A, Jade,” Jolene demands. “People are going to think you were raised by animals. Can we try to be more polite?” Which earns herself another eye roll. Damn. This chick is cool, but being a first hand witness to their dynamic makes me kind of dread teenage years with my baby.

Taking her sister’s advice, Jade swallows her next bite before asking, “Where all are you wanting to put up a flyer? Because I was kind of thinking if it was okay with you guys, I’d like to take one to group therapy with me. There are a couple women in there that can really use something like this. They aren’t all crazy, you know?”

That hazel-eyed gaze turns to me as she offers, “I’m not crazy either. Not really. They just say I have some anger management thing dealing with the whole Mom in the mental ward. Ask Jolene, she’s gone with me to group a couple times. They aren’t all bad, are they?”

Jolene shakes her head, agreeing with her sister. “No, they’re nice, and I think it’s a great idea to put the idea out there for them.”

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