ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝟙𝟞 #3
"It's going alright, Polly." I say, taking a sip of my sparkling water just so I don't have to talk.
Of course, she finds her way around it.
"Heard your case took a hit."
I pause mid-sip. Polly really knew where to click some buttons.
"Unfortunately." I tell her, placing my glass down.
"Are you not sad, or anything? I mean, considering how many losses you've had.."
Right away, I could tell she was talking about Jordyn. Cameron had noticed it too because when I glanced over, he raised his eyebrows, his jaw tense. He caresses my knuckles with his thumb.
"Well, what kind of lawyer would I be if I let one case affect me?"
Ralph pats her shoulder, I guess signaling for her to stop, but she keeps on going.
"You certainly let a lot of things affect you." She mumbles quietly.
Under the table Cameron's fingers intertwine with mine completely.
Before I can start anything, Ralph clears his throat.
"Polly, we should probably start getting ready for my business party. It's 6:00 PM. It starts at 7:30, remember?"
Polly glares at me before turning back to him. "Right, of course. I'll follow you upstairs."
Jonathan and Molly take that as their sign to probably go to their room and get changed. Luckily, me and Cameron were already ready. Once everyone is up and gone from the dinner table,
I immediately shift my attention to Cameron.
"What the hell is your mom's problem?" The words leave my mouth the second the dining room empties.
Cameron exhales slowly beside me. Under the table, his hand squeezes mine once. "Dixie."
"No." I pull my hand away just enough to look at him properly. "No, because what was that?"
His jaw tightens slightly, slightly frowny.
The chandelier above us casts warm gold across the table, making everything look softer than it actually is. The expensive silverware Jonathan definitely almost dropped three times. Meanwhile I feel like I'm seconds away from launching one of Ralph's decorative plates into orbit.
"She knew exactly what she was saying." I continue quietly. "She brought up Jordyn on purpose."
Cameron leans back in his chair slowly, folding his arms and watching me carefully. "She shouldn't have said it."
"That's not even the issue." I laugh sharply. "The issue is she keeps doing these little comments and everyone acts like I'm supposed to smile through it."
"She's difficult."
"Wrong, she's cruel." I correct
I struck a nerve. I can tell by the way Cameron's expression shifts slightly. He looks conflicted. I mean, that was still his mother I was talking about here. And unfortunately for him, his mother was a snake dressed in polka dots and bleached blonde hair.
I stare down at my plate- the fruit I picked at suddenly feels nauseating. Jordyn loved strawberries. Every time I reached for one tonight it felt like swallowing glass.
Cameron notices me drifting immediately.
He always does.
His chair scrapes lightly against the floor as he moves closer beside me like we weren't already close before. His arm wraps around my head, bringing it to his mouth and giving me a kiss. The sensation is warm.
"I'm sorry," he says quietly.
I look at him, staring deep into his aquatic eyes. "You didn't say any of it."
"I should've stopped it sooner."
I shake my head immediately. "No offense, but your mother seems like the type to steal from a shop out of pure spite. I don't think anyone can stop her."
Despite my harsh tone, he laughs. His head drops briefly as he rubs his thumb against his mouth, trying not to smile too much.
"Geez, you're terrible."
"I cope through insults." I say sarcastic
"I know." His voice softens on the last word.
It makes my irritation wobble a little- which is frustrating because I worked hard building it up. I glance toward the staircase to make sure nobody's coming back before lowering my voice.
"She hates me."
"Dixie, she doesn't hate you."
"She literally told me not to touch her children."
His face immediately hardens as his eyebrows pull together. A flicker of anger flashes behind his eyes so quickly I almost miss it. "She said that?"
"While you were busy getting your cheeks pinched like their prized possession." His eyes close briefly.
"For Pete's sake."
"I know."
He rubs his hand down his face slowly, Embarrassment and red paints his features now. Then he turns to me, apologetic.
"I didn't hear her say that."
"Well, she did."
The room goes quiet for a second before Cameron reaches for my hand again. This time I let him take it.
He lifts it toward his mouth absentmindedly, pressing a kiss against my knuckles. The gesture is so gentle and automatic it almost startles me, like loving me is instinct to him now.
"I'll talk to her," he says finally.
I snort immediately.
"And say what? 'Hey mom, can you stop terrorizing my wife between appetizers and dessert?'"
Like that'll work.
I lean back in my chair, exhausted suddenly.
Upstairs I can hear faint footsteps and closet doors opening. Another few hours of pretending everyone here actually likes each other.
And I was going to have to live through every minute.