55. Chapter Fifty-Five
Chapter Fifty-Five
Kat
Iknocked. On my own door. Because I’d gotten a text from Tam that she was back at three this morning. Around the time I was passing out. From all the orgasms.
It was nine, now, but I was hoping she was up anyway. Because she always was. She was fastidious about these types of things. I breathed a sigh of relief when she pulled the door open.
“Why the hell do you look like you were attacked by a feral raccoon?” she asked, deadpan. She knew damn well why. I smiled sheepishly, pushing past her. She followed me into the room, not done with me yet.
“Why the hell do you look like you’ve been robbed by a junior high basketball team?” she continued, getting into it now. She plopped down on the bed as I steadfastly ignored her.
“And why the FUCK are you barefoot?” she finally finished. Or so I thought. I looked at her, and she smiled. A really, really, fucking self-satisfied, smug smile.
“Not the right person, huh?”
“We… didn’t have sex?” I said, not knowing why it came out like a question. Her grin turned feral, since I was clearly arguing semantics at this point. I sat down next to her on the bed, pulling my knees up with me. She leaned back on her hands, gloating.
Tan, freshly-vacationed bitch.
“It was his… birthday?” I tried again. She laughed, showing me her phone’s calendar.
“I know,” she said simply, continuing to look VERY smug. I squeaked in indignation.
“You did this on PURPOSE?” I screeched. She shrugged.
“I knew I’d be gone for his birthday. That’s it. You did the rest,” she cackled. But then she paused for just a moment. Looking a lot more serious. A lot softer. She hugged me.
“I know you were really not doing great when I left. I felt terrible for leaving. But I wasn’t the one that could help you,” she said softly. Then she continued on an even softer whisper, sounding a little like she was going to tell me something I wouldn’t like.
“And he told me he’d take care of you when I left.”
“Well, I don’t NEED taking care of, Tam. I’m a grown ass woman,” I said, more than a little bitterly. She got up and started puttering around the room, not responding. Great. So, everyone around me thought I was a fucking infant needing tending to.
“I’m so glad you arranged for childcare before you left,” I snapped, storming into the bathroom and slamming the door shut. I knew. I knew I was being unreasonable. And I knew I just fucking COULDN’T anymore. I started to trust one FUCKING thing, and the rug’s pulled out from under me again.
The night I’d needed my wrist cleaned out. Telling me to come to his birthday dinner. Taking me to his other party. Taking me home with him after. Taking all those orgasms.
I had to believe some of it was real.
But Jesus FUCKING Christ. It was STILL out of obligation. Came from it anyway.
FUCK.
I refused to let the tears fall as I got dressed to head into work, leaving Henry’s clothes in a pile on the bathroom floor.
I paused, then kicked them into the corner.
I left my hair wild and curling since it was still drying.
And it covered up the fucking HICKEY I had at the juncture of my neck and collarbone.
Because apparently, we were fucking fifteen years old.
I stomped back out of the bathroom, searching for my sneakers.
“Kat, you can let people take care of you sometimes,” Tam tried. I sighed. I wasn’t REALLY mad at her. But I was still angry. Really fucking angry at everything. Everyone.
“I know Tam, okay? Do you really think that’s what that was? Because I don’t. I’d started to think maybe…” I trailed off, swallowing both the words and the tears. She was going to answer me—I could see it. But then both of our phones rang simultaneously.
It was a group FaceTime from Bex. Except it was late at night for her there. If she was drunk or naked or both I swear to God-
“Hello?” Tam said tentatively. I ignored my call in favor of peeking over Tam’s shoulder.
“Hello ladies. Having fun?” Bex started. Tam grimaced, wanting to answer for me but knowing she shouldn’t.
“I just got back from some sun, sand, and surf,” Tam shared, grinning. Bex giggled.
“I can see that. You’re tan as fuck. Kat? OH MY GOD Kat is that a HICKEY?!” she screeched. I turned my head away so she couldn’t see it.
“Did you need something, Bex? Isn’t it late for you?” I asked, sounding irritated because I kind of was. Tam and I sat down as one on the edge of the bed.
“Yeah, I kind of… need Tam,” she said slowly, wincing slightly. Tam glanced at me quickly, then jumped in before Bex could say anything about me needing Tam to take care of me here.
Because apparently everyone knew I needed a babysitter.
And everyone took turns so no one had too much of their life taken up by it.
“I need Tam to come home. I’m sorry guys, there’s just a bunch of logistical stuff going on that I really don’t have enough time for. I’m at the office still, now. That’s why I’m calling and up so late,” she said, sounding stressed. I pushed aside bitchy baby Kat and let CEO Kat out of her cage.
“What’s going on, Bex?” I asked sharply. I knew they both could tell I’d switched gears—they could hear it in my voice.
“I am just inundated with fucking PAPERWORK at the wrong time, that’s all. Nothing bad is going on, it’s actually GOOD shit, girl. Don’t worry. I just need my little taskmaster,” she answered playfully. I saw Tam stick her tongue out at her sister.
Anddddd we were back to being children.
All of us, this time. Who knew who the hell would babysit us all now. I snorted, because I knew who.
Milo. Fucking Milo.