Page 54 of Operation Annulment
Nate follows my gaze, and his jaw clenches. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. Is this normal with your family?”
I take a deep breath, but there is no centering myself this time.
Namaste… and kick Dakota’s ass over this.
“Dakota Mae! Get out here now!” I scream at the top of my lungs, and everyone freezes.
“Holy shit, Hail Mary! You got some pipes on you.” Little Ricky nods approvingly before sitting down in a nearby chair. All he’s missing is a bucket of popcorn.
Dakota comes out of her bedroom with her arms crossed over her chest. Once she sees Jeremy, she smirks.
Do not hit a pregnant woman…
“Hey Jeremy, just in time! I think Nate was just leaving. Kate, did you say hello to Jeremy?”
Tears sting my eyes, but I refuse to cry right now. My hands are balled into fists at my side. I have never been so angry at my sister, including the time she drew superhero capes on every member of my N*SYNC poster tomake them happier.
Jeremy takes in the situation. “I thought you said they broke up.” He looks over at Nate, “I’m sorry, man.”
Nate pulls his keys free from his jeans. His face is a mask, so I can’t get a good read on him. “Kate, I’ll be outside.”
“Bye, Nate!” Dakota waves and Zane looks to me for advice. I give him a look as if to say,She’s your fiancée. You handle it,but he just shrugs.
“Okay, I’ve had enough of this. Cut the crap.”
Nate pauses in the doorway.
She widens her eyes. “I don’t know what you mean. Is there a problem, Kate?”
I take a few steps forward, only to be stopped by Little Ricky. “Hold up, Hail Mary.”
“Don’t touch her,” Nate warns, and I turn around to smile sweetly at my husband before kneeing Little Ricky in the balls. He drops to the floor with a groan. Yeah. What he said.”
Zane takes a step forward with his hands held out. “Kate…”
“Move out of my way, you big tree, or you’ll be next. This is between me and Dakota.”
“What—are we supposed to fight like Captain America and Ironman now? Because you have me at a disadvantage.”
I shake my head. “No, I’m not going to fight you, but I will give you a piece of my mind. And you’re going to listen to me. I’ve taken care of you for far too long now. I have sacrificed everything for you!”
“No one asked you to do that, Kate.”
My words are forced through clenched teeth. “What other choice did we have when Mama took off? Seriously, it fell on my shoulders. You watched me go through everything with Benjamin and claimed I deserved better. I find someone who makes me happy, and where are you? Oh, that’s right. You’re running behind my back, trying to sabotage everything. Just. Like. Nan!”
Dakota’s mouth drops open in surprise. “I’m nothing like her!”
“You are exactly like her, carrying on with this ridiculous revenge plot and screwing with people’s lives to get what you want. I’ve supported you as long as possible, but I can’t be a part of this anymore. What you’ve done tonight is probably the cruelest thing anyone has ever done to me.”
She puts her hands on her hips. “I have Zane and Little Ricky—I don’t need you. So, anything else before you show yourself out?”
I take a stuttered breath, adrenaline coursing through my veins. No wonder Nate’s addicted to this—it’s better than being drunk. I feel invincible.
And I may not be able to hit my sister physically, but I can get her where it’ll hurt the most. I smile. “Yeah, there is one more thing. I sawSuicide Squadand feel thatDChas a much better lineup of superheroes.”
She gasps and clutches her chest. “Y-y-you did not just say that. They’re not even superheroes—they’re villains! Get out!”
I wipe the tears that have begun to leak from my eyes and join Nate at the door. Little Ricky starts to stand and Nate gives him a look. “Don’t even think about following us out right now.”
