Page 62 of Fair Play
“She cheated first,” I grunt. “I told her I would find sex elsewhere if she continued to use it as a weapon to get me to buy her things. New diamond earrings for a blow job. A new car for anal?—”
“Rome!” My mother gasps, eyes wide.
“She started it,” I say. “I was no angel but neither was she. At least I can say I loved her at the beginning. Which is more than she can say.”
We all look up as the front door opens and Billie comes in. “Hey! What smells…” Her voice trails and she pauses. “Hi, Mrs. C.”
“Hi, Billie!” Mom smiles like they’re old friends. “This is my other daughter, Catalina. She’s in town for a long weekend. We brought dinner since Rome is under the weather. Are you hungry?”
“I am. Thank you. And nice to meet you, Catalina.” Billie extends her hand and Catalina frowns before quickly shaking it.
Billie cuts a glance at me, but I don’t dare look at her because I just want to shake my sister.
“Let’s eat while it’s hot,” Mom says quickly.
“I’m just going to wash up real quick,” Billie says, escaping up the stairs.
“Look me in the eye and tell me you’re not screwing her,” Catalina says under her breath.
Lucky for me, I have no problem lying when the occasion calls for it.
“I’m not screwing her,” I say without missing a beat.
I see a flicker of surprise in her eyes but then she shakes her head. “You’re lying.”
“Believe what you want. But if you say or do anything to embarrass Billie, I’ll throw your ass out.”
She sighs. “You haven’t changed at all. Mom said you’ve mellowed but?—”
“All right, enough.” Mom shakes her head. “Stop it. Both of you. Can we just put the past behind us for one night and enjoy dinner? I know you’re in pain, Rome, so it stands to reason your temper is short. And Cat, give it a rest.” She gives her one of those looks that mothers have been giving their children for millennia. Normally, it works like a charm. Tonight, Cat just rolls her eyes.
“Whatever. When she takes what little you have left, I’m not going to hesitate to say I told you so.”
“Mom.” I give my mother a warning look, and she must realize I’ve had as much as I’m going to take of my sister,because I can’t hear what she whispers to Cat, but Cat actually flushes.
“Sit,” Mom says to me. “I’ll serve. Do you want something to drink?”
I’m not going to mention the wine. Or the red velvet cupcake I picked up on my way home. Billie mentioned they’re her favorite so I thought it might be fun to share one after dinner. Maybe lick some of the cream cheese frosting off of her?—
“It smells wonderful.” Billie comes in wearing yoga pants and an oversized T-shirt, her hair back in a ponytail.
“Do you eat vegetable lasagna?” Cat asks her.
Billie grins. “I sure do. I make one that my brother loves.”
“You cook?”
“Bodi and I have been on our own since we were fifteen and eighteen,” she replies. “So I didn’t have a choice.”
“What happened to your parents?”
I open my mouth just as my mother lets out a put-upon sigh but Billie beats us both to the punch.
“They died. In a car accident. I was in the car, unable to move because my femur was shattered. It was hours before the rescue team found us. My brother dropped out of college to take care of me and we figured out the whole living alone thing. Any other questions?”
Cat has the grace to look embarrassed. “I’m sorry,” she says softly. “I didn’t know.”
“Then maybe you should think before you ask snarky questions,” I say.
