Page 40 of Hate the One You're With
Is staying with Emmersyn a mistake?
Chapter Twenty-Six
Caleb
She-Devil: Why did you email me a copy of my grandmother’s letter addressed to: BENTLEY’S owner?
Satan: The letter is addressed to you, and I think you need to be the onein charge of the feline.
She-Devil: You wanted him. No, you demanded to own him. I gave him to you, and I’ve washed my hands of that high-maintenance cat.
Satan: You tricked me.
She-Devil: Nope. You were adamant about getting the Bentley. Well, it’s yours and no take-backsies.
Satan: Backsies? What are you, twelve?
She-Devil: It’s hilarious that you think only twelve-year-olds use that word. In any case, I’m not taking the cat back. If you’re smart, you’ll figure out how to work around his damn schedule.
Satan: Something tells me you’re not a fan.
She-Devil: He’s fine . . .
Satan: So you twodon’t get along then.
She-Devil: It’s more like I’m over his nonsense. While Grandma was sick, I had to follow his schedule. It was mostly the Sunday walks around the park that drove me insane. Though . . . I cheated. I bought one of those strollers for running, had a guy modify it so I could get Bentley there safely, and just took him for a run.
Satan: Did she ever catch you cheating the system?
She-Devil: No, but when she felt well enough, she’d come with us, and I had to endure the painfully slow walk with the cat. Children stopping us, Moms taking pictures . . . It was like owning a walking petting zoo (lets out a big sigh).
Satan: Sounds painful, but I can see her not letting you stop the show. The woman was a force and liked the attention.
She-Devil: She was, and even with all her BS, I miss her a lot. Not a morning goes by that I don’t check my phone, hoping she’d call to ask if I’m wearing the right clothes or have planned the charity auction or . . .
Satan: Sorry about your loss.
She-Devil: It’s life. Life that seems to just like taking the little I have left.
Satan: You’re a billionaire, Em. You’ve always had everything.
She-Devil: I would give up my entire fortune to have a family, love—all of it.
Satan: You can always buy yourself one. I mean, you already started by buying yourself a husband.
She-Devil: You’re such a fucking asshole. I don’t even know why I’m talking to you as if you’re a human who’ll understand other people’s feelings. Never message me again.
Satan: You’re the one who started this conversation.
She-Devil: Because you . . . never mind.
Satan: Fine, before you stop talking to me, what would happen if I blew out all the doors in this place?
She-Devil: What?
Satan: I’m thinking that if there are no doors—or doorframes—we can use all the rooms.
She-Devil: I don’t know, but if you want to go to war with Percy, good luck. Justkeep me out of this.
