Chapter Eighteen
Chloe
I straighten my shoulders while standing outside the Cheesecake Factory. I wanted to confront Tabitha first thing in the morning but forced myself to wait until her shift was over.
As much as I want to shove it in her face that I know about the phony bet, I’m not going to ruin other people’s meals. It’s rude and tacky. Two things I don’t believe in being.
My knees shake as I stand on the sidewalk waiting for Tabitha to come outside. Confronting people is not something I’m comfortable with, but if there’s one thing dating Jim and being with Rich taught me, it’s that I’m done being a pussy.
I never get angry or want revenge. Jim – thank you for teaching me my worth. And I never grab what I want. Thank you, Rich, for that lesson learned. There will be no more blending into the woodwork. I’ll stand up for myself .
When the door opens, I scan the four staff members. None of them are Tabitha. The door opens again. There she is.
I march toward Tabitha. I’ve got to do this now before I lose my nerve. When Tabitha notices me, she stops in her tracks and glances behind her. Sweet cheeks, you’d better look for backup. “Tabitha, I need to talk to you.”
“What is it?” The blonde woman shoves her long hair over her shoulder.
“Stay away from me. I don’t know what you think you’re doing, but my personal life is none of your business.”
“What personal life?”
I growl at her snarky tone. Listen up, hussy. No, I’m going to be mature. Even if it kills me.
Car doors slam in the distance as the other workers get into their vehicles. Obviously, none of them are going to come to Tabitha’s rescue. Maybe they didn’t like her either.
“My personal life is none of your concern. I don’t know what your problem is with me, but I’m not a game to play with. Stop making bets and trying to hurt my feelings.”
“You’re a bitch.”
I jerk my head back. I’ve never done anything to her. I rarely talked to her in school. Not by choice, but because she never spoke to me. I wasn’t in her click. “What did I do to you?”
“You got into National Honor Society when I should have.”
What the flip? That’s crazy. We were sophomores. Surely. I heard her wrong. “What are you talking about?”
“I was supposed to get in first. You stole my spot.” She crosses her arms and taps her shoe on the pavement.
I blink and stare at her. “You’ve got to be kidding me. You’re mad at me over something that happened our sophomore year of high school?”
“Yes. And, Jenna. She’s an even bigger bitch. She always had Anthony’s eye.”
“What?”
“Anthony Timmerman. I tried to ask him out, and he turned me down. ”
“This is ridiculous. Tabitha, we aren’t in high school anymore. We’re adult women.” At least Jenna and I are. I don’t know what you are.
“You cheated your way in.”
Oh, my God. This “B” is crazy. “Fine. You can think whatever you want. I’m done with you.”
The door opens as a crowd of customers walks outside, chatting. Their laughter is a stark contrast to the conversation going on between us.
“I can’t believe you came here,” Tabitha growls. “You’re embarrassing me in front of everyone.”
“Get a life. You aren’t the center of the universe.” I shake my head. Tabitha is pathetic. Her present and future are too wrapped up in the past for her to get anywhere.
I twist on my heel and march to my car. My back is rigid the entire way on the off chance she starts swinging. I wouldn’t put it past her.
When I reach my vehicle, I hold my breath and spin around. Tabitha yanks open the door to her four-door sedan and slides inside. It’s gold with a dented fender and rust around the wheel wells. God, I feel sorry for her.