Page 220 of My Sweet Dollie, You Have to Love Me
Ambrose:
I get how it looks, but I never hurt her as Lucky.
I just wanted to talk to her.
“Oh, you did hurt her.” Annabelle leans in. Our faces are so close at the bar, it looks like we’re sharing secrets, and in a way, we are.
My phone’s bright screen makes the shiny stuff on her cheeks and those blinding teeth shine a little more.
“She liked you. She really liked you. She even sexted you. You’re sweet, innocent, doesn’t-even-look-at-a-guy-who-isn’t-that-loser-Shane, little sister sexted you, Ambrose! That is definitely hurtful for her!”
A quick glance around to see if any locals will have a new reason to talk tomorrow leaves me relieved. No one looks this way.
Thank fuck.
“God, I don’t know which of you is more fucking stupid. Her, for not realizing it was you, or you, for thinking this is okay. I mean, do you hate her that much?”
I type quickly to catch up with Annabelle.
Ambrose:
I don’t hate her at all. I know that if she knew it was me, things would have played out differently, but she doesn’t.
“So, you took advantage of that.”
Ambrose:
I crossed some lines.
“Oh, you don’t say. What were you thinking? She is gonna fucking flip. Do you realize what this could do to her? The setback this could have. I mean, why would you even talk that way to your sister?”
Ambrose:
Because she isn’t just my sister, Annabelle.
And I wouldn’t have done it if I weren’t desperate to talk to her.
Annabelle’s head shakes from side to side, frustration evident as she sinks onto a barstool. “What the fuck are you talking about?”
Do I do it?
Do I admit the truth or tell another lie to someone who doesn’t deserve it?
I’m so good at the latter, but I don’t want to lie to Annabelle, whose wide eyes stare at me from behind those driving glasses still on her nose.
The voice comes in again,admit how you feel, or that lump will end Dollie’s life.
Decision made.
Truth.
Ambrose:
I love her, and I don’t know how to live out here, where living isn’t forced, without her.
My mind coos and praises for the admission. Then torments me again.Two more, or Dollie dies.
Ambrose:
