Page 44 of Under the Influence

“I grew up in Jersey,” she says, swatting away my laughter. “Why?”

Everything that happened over the last couple of days starts to pour out like water that has been compressed in a dam overflowing. She doesn’t interrupt me once, and when I’ve finished, she gives me a long hard look.

“You two are so messed up,” she says with deep fascination.

“What?”

“You refused him sex on your wedding night, and you wonder why he’s pissed.”

“He wouldn’t answer my question,” I say stubbornly.

“You really want to know how many women he’s been with? What would be gained by knowing that?”

“At least I feel I would know what I’m getting into.”

“You knew who he was when you signed that marriage license. You knew who he was at his birthday party when I almost caught you making out. Just admit you used it as an exit strategy to not sleep with him.”

“I didn’t.”

“You don’t want to give all of yourself to him, but you want him to give himself fully to you. Kinda selfish, Sophia,” she says musingly.

“You’re biased,” I say pointedly.

“Hardly, when you have another man’s initial tattooed to your wrist,” she says as I pull my sleeve down. “If it was the other way around…”

“So, what? He knew I had this before we got married.”

“Yeah, but he probably figured you would remove it.”

“Everybody has a past,” I say snappily. “Why don’t you lecture your brother on all the whorehouses he has visited?”

“What?” she says, shocked.

“Don’t pretend you don’t know,” I say, rolling my eyes.

“Rocco would never go to a whorehouse, ever.” she says firmly.

“Oh really,” I say sarcastically.

“Yeah, really, because that is how our father died in a whorehouse surrounded by crackheads.” she seethes. “Who told you that?”

“It was something Keira said at the wedding,” I say, thoroughly embarrassed.

“You really would take into account anything that heifer would say?”

“Angela said something too.” I say trying to not wilt under her glare.

“You think they’re both reliable characters?” She asks sharply.

“I guess not.” I mumble.

“So, you’re judging him on something that you don’t even know is true, but when it comes to your transgressions, I’m sure you don’t feel the same. Yes, Sophia, I’ve heard the rumors… we all have. How do you like having the past thrown in your face?” she says, turning on her heel and leaving the room.

I sit there feeling numb for a second before Rocco walks in wearing a cream pantsuit and a crisp white shirt, a nice change from the usual black.

“Did my sister just come out of here?” he says, raising his eyebrow.

“Uh-huh.”

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