Page 42 of Retribution

She picks up practically straight away, I swear that girl is glued to her phone.

“How’s my favorite big sister?” she beams.

I roll my eyes. “I’m your only big sister Lola.”

“Exactly.” I shake my head at her, giggling.

Since I told her about what happened with Scott, she’s been exceptionally chirpy on all of our phone calls. She’s tried to avoid talking about her wedding, despite the date growing closer. I appreciate it but, I don’t want her to feel the need to tiptoe on eggshells around me because my plans for the future haven’t worked out.

I’m so glad that she has someone like Greg, someone who would move the world for her if it got in her way. She’s a hothead when it comes to protecting the people she loves.

She’s like a shooting star in a sky full of darkness, she manages to bring people around her up to her level and make sure that we’re all okay.

Maybe she should have been the big sister?

“You look terrible. In the best way,” she jokes.

I glance to the small square that reflects the worn out, tired version of me.

“Exceptionally worn out,” I grimace, trying to laugh off the apparent trauma ongoing in my life.

I can’t even begin to think of the mess I’ve got myself into.

First, the obvious. Scott and his little mistress.

The next? I close my eyes just even letting it cross my mind, what was I thinking? Reed and Willow and Allie. I have enough drama in my personal life to even think about getting in the mix of the loss of a mother and wife. I was meant to be Allie’s friend, and before she has even been buried, I’ve jumped into bed – not quite but not the point, with her husband.

I groan, causing Lola furrows her brows in confusion.

“You do know I’m always here for you, don’t you?” Her innocent face concentrates on me.

I don’t deserve any sort of sympathy right now, I don’t deserve the goodness of Lola’s heart. I may as well run right back to Scott, I feel as bad as he should.

I’ve always taken pride in my loyalty, my dedication to people and here I am being the biggest hypocrite in the room.

Maybe I just need to keep to myself for a while? Britney’s advice certainly hasn’t worked in my favor, it’s just landed me in an even bigger hurricane.

Instead of Lola worrying about whether her wedding cake will arrive in time, she’s concerned about my well-being. This is certainly not meant to be her issue as my little sister, so I plaster the widest smile across my face.

“Of course, I know, how could I ever forget? Now, have you managed to get the wedding cake delivered on time?” A well-thought-out subject change.

The conversation carries on for a long time, rambling about the changes that have been put in place for the wedding as well as my input for the final seating arrangement. Thankfully, I don’t have to endure any small talk with my mother.

I end the call with a few words of affirmation about how the day will turn out.

Drawing myself away from the rest of the apartment, I enter our – my bedroom. I focus on the bed and stand in the doorway as the unmade sheets glare back at me.

My chest rises and falls before I’m pulling them from the bed, tearing at them with frustration and regret. It’s almost like they’re taunting me, knowing something I didn’t.

By the time I finish, the bed is stripped bare, pillows litter the floor and just a naked mattress lay on the bed frame.

My lungs feel flexible, like they have permitted me to finally relax.

Diving onto the bed, the nakedness welcomes me into a slumber I so desperately need. The familiar scents of my bedroom, blanket me with a warmth of protectiveness, allowing me to endure in the best night’s sleep I’ve had in years.

Days go by in a blur. The constant grind of keeping myself indulged in the dance classes and figuring out my new independent life manages to keep me distracted from the rest of the world.

That is until, I’m hand-delivered a court summons regarding ownership and shares of Scott’s accountancy business.

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