11. McCarthy
MCCARTHY
“ L ook what happens when you cooperate.” I don’t even have to see my older brother to envision him leaning back in his desk chair. Smug. “Jenna actually made you look halfway human.”
“Asshole.” Though there’s not as much vitriol as there usually would be.
“Just think—if you can keep your act together for a few more weeks, this will all blow over.”
I hang up on him, mood ruined.
Jenna blows out a breath. We’re in the car, and it’s stuffed with homemade ancient-grain bread, jars of pickled vegetables, and jams with names like pokeberry sea cucumber.
“You can have as much of that as you want,” Jenna offers. “Nathan doesn’t like my mom’s food— or my mom.”
“Rack like that? Really?” I drawl just to annoy Jenna. “I don’t believe it. Nathan seems like a tits man. ”
“And to think I believed you were actually turning over a new leaf.” Her hands clench on the wheel as she navigates the car onto the ferry.
That stung more than it really should have.
Screw her.
I don’t care what Jenna thinks. Jenna is trying to get pregnant by her worthless fiancé. She doesn’t know shit.
Nathan is waiting in the lobby when I storm through. Jenna immediately throws herself at him, kissing him and telling him she missed him, that he’s amazing.
He just grunts and tells her he’s only there to pick up Truman, who, I’m delighted to see, growls at Nathan as Jenna begs him to “just be a nice boy.”
The love of her life? I hate her boyfriend. He's an asshole. They deserve each other.
“You know he's cheating on you, right?” I say, brushing past the revolting display of public affection.
“No, he's not!” Jenna shoves her dog at her sputtering fiancé. “Don’t worry, baby. I know you’re not a cheater.”
Nathan stammers then finally says, “Right. Of course not. I’d never.”
“That man—”
I'm already at the elevator.
Jenna’s running after me, shoes slap-slapping on the marble floor.
“You are such an asshole. You can’t say things like that. That’s slander.”
The doors open.
“It’s the truth. I bet you know deep down that he doesn’t really care about you.” I step on, Jenna on my heels .
“Is this the part where you declare your undying love for me?” she snaps.
“No. Your blouse isn’t buttoned properly.”
She grabs at the front of her shirt. “My fiancé is a very nice guy.”
“Not that nice if he's cheating on you. Or…” I narrow my eyes. “Did you know?”
“No!” Her eyes bug out comically. “I mean there’s nothing to know.”
“I bet you do know he’s cheating, and you just want to keep your free place to stay. Cupcake. I’m appalled.”
“You—we are—I am in love with Nathan, and he’s committed to me.”
I stare at her. “Hn.”
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“ What? ”
“What time?”
“What?”
“What time does he get off of work?”
“We get off at similar times.” She seems apprehensive.
“You're dismissed early today. Leave at four thirty. Wait, no, you live in Renton Hill. That would mean you'd need my car. Leave at three forty-five so you can catch the bus. Go straight home.”
“I will not.”
I wave a hand at her. “I’ll cover for you. You'll see that I’m right.”