Page 100 of The Confidant

“ButIcan’t have a good reason, can I, Valerie? I can be left out of your loops and get blamed for it because yourbabiesare too pansy-assed to take what they dish out to others with both hands. I can’t miss a phone call or a text, even when they don’t come.” I raise both brows as if I’m realizing something. “Oh, yeah. I forgot I’m not allowed excuses at theBroussard’stable. I’m supposed to shut up and swallow all of your hate with a smile and an apology because I’m not like any of you. I’m only good enough to be your target when things don’t go your way. All because I look like a manyouchose to marry.”

I’ve never seen them so shocked before. And they’re so quiet. They stare at me as if they’ve never seen me before when I’ve been right here all this time. Apersoninstead of a scapegoat.

I keep going in my soft voice, determined to make her face her own hate. Maybe her children will follow suit.

“I don’t see you harping on Joseph for his anchor tattoo. Seems to me you thought it was sexy. The whole reason he caught your eye at first. And Daniella had a face chock-full of piercings at one point. Not one word. Sophia has a scorpion on her ass some other artist screwed up. Turn your hate on them for once. Oh, wait, you can’t, can you? They’re allnaturalblonds. What a big difference that makes, huh?”

Daniella blinks as if I’m a mirage. Sophia sinks down in her chair with burning cheeks and a look of guilt.

“Adelaide,” Joseph says in a warning tone, his eyes narrowing. “That’s your mother. Show some respect.”

I keep my eyes on Valerie, ignoring the rest of them. Everything starts with her. Once this string is cut, the rest of them will fall away, too. I don’t need to spread this out when the one constant spewer of venom is right in front of me.

“That monster isnotmy mother,” my voice tries to crack before I firm it up again, lifting my chin. “She stopped being that a long time ago, and I’m finally catching up to it. All it took was the news that I’m not enough of a Broussard to start the ball rolling. I did exactly what she wanted and startedthinking hardabout my life. I’ve finally realized that the only thing that devil has ever felt for me is hate, and she spread it to her babies like a disease. I’m done with it. And the rest of you, too. You can all find another scapegoat for every time you feel angry or need the focus on someone else, soyoucan get out of one of her rants. I’m tired of getting crushed under all of your cloven hooves, and I’m no longer picking up the demeaning phone calls, no matter who gets badgered into harassing me. The hoodoo text crap won’t work on a new number.”

I look around the table, taking in all the disbelieving, guilty looks one last time. They have the balls to stare back as ifI’mthe one who betrayedthem. Valerie is pale and ragged. Nothing like the overbearing, downrightpompousfigure from when I first walked in. It’s like she aged ten years right in front of me.

When my eyes meet Tera’s, the stark guilt and horror there give me pause. This girl deserves so much better. She shouldn’t have to witness this. All I can do is throw out some advice that I hope she’ll take to heart.

“Don’t trust any of these demons,petite. Not one. You keep an eye on your cake and forget the rest. They can only take from you what youletthem. The second they start throwing out hate, because theywill, you walk away. For your own peace.”

“What are you talkin’ about? I don’t hate on anyone,” Maman asks, and for the first time, she sounds weak, her accent slipping out on accident. As if the air got punched out of her lungs, and she’s shocked it was my fist that did it.

I scoff and give her a look of pure disbelief.

“Last time we talked, you had the guts to tell me I’m just like the disgusting piece of crapyouscrewed to make five kids, and you’re askingmefor a refresher? Let me help you out. If you need awrittenreminder, take a look at all the texts you’ve ever sent me,” I tell her in a mocking tone. “Any time I feel guilty for not reaching out to a Broussard, all I have to do is read one. Justonesentence from any of you. Or I can take a look in the mirror and see the scum that fathered me since you were kind enough to point outseveraltimes that I look just like him. I have to be evil if I’m not blonde, right, Valerie? You constantly remind me of what I look like to arealBroussard. I stop feeling bad real quick after Ithink hardon that. My shop is gone. My art is gone. None of you will ever have to hear my hick voice or see me dye my hair. No more struggling to be seen as a part ofyourfamily. You got what you wanted after what? How many years have you been ripping me apart inside, so I’ll leave? With your babies following like little duckies, eager to please. Well, you can have your little celebration dinner about it without me. Especially when you want to talk about things you haveno businessbringing up. You’re so damn full of yourself you don’t care who you trample over to get your way.”

I stand up, feeling how hot my face is from trying to hold back tears and rage. It’s all barely in check, and I refuse to let this woman see me cry anymore.

All of the things they find shameful in me are out in the open now. I can’t hide how much that hurts me. I shouldn’t have to. They’re supposed to be the people who love me most. I should be able to talk to them without the happy mask I’ve been wearing for so long. They can see what’s underneath it and suck it up. They won.

And so did I. I’m finally walking away and meaning it.

“Addie,” Asher whispers in a weak tone I haven’t heard in a long time. I harden my heart against it. It feels so wrong. But I can’t see him letting me get away with everything I said. He loves his Maman. No one is supposed to talk bad about her. Even me.

“Adelaide, sit down. We should talk about this like adults.” Joseph stands in my way, looking confused. He’s looking at Valerie as if he needs a hint on how he should behave. Be gentle like with the other girls or be firm like with Asher.

“Like adults? How about we trysanefirst? I’ll tell you now that will never happen, Joseph,” I tell him with a scoff.

“You’re just being dramatic,” Valerie protests, proving my words. Her voice is starting to sound less sure. I finally caught her on her back foot, and she’s never backed down for anything. The fight will come back to her as soon as her hate does.

I give Joseph a raised, knowing brow and a smirk.

“Since you requested drama so nicely, I’ll give it to you with some final advice as the cherry on top. How’s this for dramatic?” I point at Asher’s group with a shaking finger that betrays all my inner turmoil and lean in to get closer to her face. Let her see how much she disgusts me for once, up close and personal. “Stop trying to wipe off the frosting and sprinkles before you ruin that fucking cake.”

Her eyes dart to Frosting and Sprinkles and widen. Then, they move to Suzette’s men.

“Yeah, I see you for the disgusting creature you are. You own that hate for once,Valerie,” I sneer when her eyes meet mine again. “Swallow it down just like I had to most of my life, because it looks likethatcake might force-feed you logic until you choke on your bullshit lies. And one of them is even blonde. I’m sure that stings extra for you.”

I use the distraction of her mouth gaping, silent for once, and leave before I break down.

Chapter Twenty-One

Poe

I’m seated at a table with a few curious looks from the other customers. The place is packed with people. I can see the double doors that the hostess leads Addie to and keep an eye on it.

When I’m handed the menu, I set Racer in one of the seats, prop its arms so it looks like it’s holding it, and snap a few pictures.

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