Page 24 of Salace

“You’re a terrible fucking lay,” I say, as my hand moves swiftly to knock the bowl off the table. Her sundae splatters onto the floor, and she finally gives me her attention. She looks angry, which is exactly what I want.

“Have a good one,” I tell her with a nod, before I finally turn and walk away closingthatdisastrous chapter of my life.

The ice cream parlor is silent as I walk by the patrons gathered at tables, watching me in stunned silence. When I reach the door and push it open to step out into the early evening sunset, I let out a happy sigh.

Back to who really matters,I muse, as I dig my phone out of my pocket.She replied,I think happily with a smile.

Now I just have to figure out how to get her away from the competition.

Shouldn’t be too hard,I decide as my fingers move over the screen while I walk to my car.

JULIA

Since my therapy session, hell, since I came to this morning, I’ve felt off. Unhinged or out of touch with my life. I’ve watched the video I recorded last night a couple of times over and Ilikethat woman. Bold. Confident. I want to be more like her. I want what she has. I have no idea whose phone number received my pictures and video but I did scour my phone for Kasey’s number and can’t find it. Something in my brain can’t make sense of that fact. IknowI have his number. Perhaps after the last time I saw him, I deleted it in a drunk panic. Even that seems ludicrous to me somehow. Logical and responsible in a way I’m often not. Aimee makes a pleased purring sound breaking my train of thought.

She’s in the kitchen, twirling her phone on the countertop. A smile creeping on her face.

“What’s got you in such a good mood?”

She snaps her eyes to me and is nearly glaring. “Nothing.”

I chuff out a sigh. “You don’t have to give me attitude. I was just asking.”

“Mom, do you even care? I mean really? We both know I’m only here because the courts say I have to be.”

Rage and resentment war for top emotion as I stare at her twirling her goddamned phone on the countertop. I suck my lips between my teeth then blow out a breath. “Of course, I care.”

“Yeah, okay,” she rebuts. I snatch the phone off the countertop. I just need to take the edge off.

“Mom!” she cries out. "Give it back. Now."

My chin tucks into my chest.Give it back?Who's the boss here?

"You can have it back when you leave."

"Are you off your meds again? Drunk? Which is it? You're acting crazy." She juts out her hand and waggles it palm up at me to fork it over.

I chuckle at her audacity. "You don't get to talk to me like that, young lady. Watch your tone or you'll regret it." Her glare intensifies, but I just stare back, daring her to push me further.

"Whatever, you're crazy," she mutters under her breath.

I close the space between us, towering over her. She looks up at me, her eyes wide with fear. I grab her chin roughly, forcing her to look at me. "You know what happens to girls who disrespect their mothers, don't you?"

She shakes her head, her breath shallow and uneven.

"They get punished," I whisper, my fingers trailing down her neck. I can feel her shiver under my touch, her eyes locked on mine.

"Punished?" she stammers, her voice barely a whisper.

"Yes, punished," I reply, my grip tightening on her chin. She jerks out of my grasp and back-steps until she’s near the stairs.

“I’m calling Dad.”

I hold up her phone. “Good luck with that.”

Aimee bites her bottom lip, her eyes well with tears, and then she bolts upstairs slamming her bedroom door behind her.

I let out a blood-curdling scream of frustration. She’s not wrong. I haven’t been taking my meds but I feel fine. Better than fine. I toss her phone on the counter and pour myself a full glass of wine. Her phone vibrates.Kasey.A grin creeps over my face. I could use some Kasey, I’ve been craving Kasey. I open the notification and read through their texts. Banal. How my own daughter hasn’t learned the first thing about flirting with a guy is beyond me. I glance at the clock. Aimee’s dad should be here to pick her up in thirty minutes—eight o’clock on the dot, per usual.

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