Page 70 of A Hurt So Good

“Wait. I got you this,” he says, pulling the pink shit out of the bag and passing it to her. She holds it up in her hand and laughs.

“It’s pink. And it’s called Kinky,” she laughs as she reads the bottle.

“I thought it would be perfect for you,” War says with pride.

“It is. I’m going to down this shit,” she says as she takes the cap off and brings it to her lips. War watches her every move when I hear the door open. You can hear footsteps as someone comes down the stairs. We all look over to see Julie standing there.

“Whatever this is, it’s done,” she says, waving between us all.

“What are you talking about?” Arya asks, taking another drink from her bottle. By now, Denz has woken up and is listening in.

“This, Arya! What the hell are you doing with these men? Have you learned nothing from the last one?” She screams. Arya doesn’t seem fazed at first, just sipping from her bottle.

“How do you know anything?”

“I’ve seen the cameras, Arya. I’ve seen them in your room and you down here. I’m not stupid.” Now Arya stands to her feet and stares her mom down.

“You’re spying on me?” she asks.

“I was checking up on things. They’re your brothers, for God’s sake.”

“They’re my step-brothers, and that’s not the same.”

“You’re being childish is what you’re doing. Do you think these three are going to want you forever? Do you think any of them will stick around?”

“Childish? Are you serious?”

“Get out. You are not going to come in here and ruin everything, Arya. Get your things and get out,” she snaps at her. Now, the three of us are on our feet and crowding around Arya.

“She’s not going anywhere,” Denz tells her.

“This is my house, too. You guys are adults. You don’t live here. What I say goes,” she sneers at us. I pull my phone out and send a quick text to my dad, asking him to come down here if he isn’t busy. It takes a minute, but he finally comes down the stairs and looks between all of us.

“What’s going on?” he asks.

“I want Arya out. I’m so sorry, Jarrod. I didn’t know she’d behave like this, sleeping with all three of your sons.” Dad raises a hand to stop her there.

“Julie, this isn’t news to me.”

“What do you mean? You knew about this?”

“Yeah, I have.”

“I want her out, Jarrod. Now.” My dad looks at us and Arya before looking back to Julie. He shakes his head and turns to face her, gripping her shoulders in his hands.

“If anyone is leaving, it’s going to be you, Julie,” he tells her.

“Me? Why would I leave?” she asks in a confused tone.

“You’re cheating on me.”

“I am doing no such thing!”

“You are, and I have the proof. I was … I was hoping that things would change for us. I was hoping we could be together and travel and see the world, and to be honest, I haven’t been faithful to you either.”

“I’m always traveling, Jarrod. Why would I want to travel on my time off? And how the hell can you call me out on being a cheaterif you’re doing the same?” Dad shakes his head and runs his hand over his face.

“We don’t work anymore, Julie.”

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