I was sick of being the nice girl who got used and abused. Maybe I should take a cue from Jocelyn and be rougher around the edges.
“What?” I took a step closer to her, throwing my arms in the air. “You got your evil wish. I’m hurt. The man I loved walked away from me and his daughter all because of afucking ring. So, run along. Go throw your tantrum somewhere else because I’m done. This is my house, and your presence is unwelcomed here.”
At first, Jocelyn stood there in shocked silence, but then the corner of her lips curled.
She lifted her hands and slowly clapped. “Very good. You know, at first, I didn’t like you. Too much of a plain Jane for me. But this...” she waved her hand up and down my body, “this I like. A little sass. A little jalapeño in your Bloody Mary. It suits you.”
I rolled my eyes. “Like I care. I meant what I said. Get off my property.”
“And if I don’t?”
I was about to tell her, but Lydia beat me to it.
“All this is her property... acres and acres of land.” Lydia gazed at the cutting shears in her hand and then back at Jocelyn. “It would be a terrible thing if you got lost out there looking for your brother.” Lydia’s smile faded as she whisper-yelled, “And stayed lost.”
Wow. Lydia was scary when she wanted to be.
“I like you too. And I think I like you even better. A minor threat involving sharp objects is needed every now and then.” She reached behind her neck and took off her long golden necklace, which was thick like rope.
Jocelyn held the necklace and stared at Lydia. “That’s for you. I changed my mind and decided I don’t like it anymore.”
I tensed, worrying that it was a trick. That Jocelyn was going to pull Lydia in and hurt her, and it seemed Lydia had the same idea.
“Then drop it, and I’ll pick it up.” Lydia pointed to the grass.
I expected Jocelyn to rescind her offer or get angry, but she laughed. “Smart. I knew I liked you for a reason. Lola, keep her around. She’s good. What’s your name?”
“None of your business.” Lydia folded her arms but still kept the shears in her hand.
“I don’t have any friends... never really did,” Jocelyn said as she dropped the necklace to the ground.
“Not surprised in the least,” I mumbled.
“But if I did, I think you two would make excellent girlfriends. And you,” she pointed at Lydia, “you’d be my bestie.”
We watched as Jocelyn walked back into the estate. I would have followed her to make sure she was leaving, but I didn’t want to be near her anymore.
“That woman has problems,” Lydia said as she walked over to the necklace and picked it up. “Gold and diamonds. Maybe I should rethink being her bestie.”
I snorted.
“Oh, you think I’m joking?” Lydia placed the necklace around her neck.
“Looks amazing on you.”
“Exactly. If she normally gives out jewelry like candy, I would put up with her for that. Why would she think you knew where her brother was?”
I shook my head. “I wish I knew.”
Despite my heart still hurting from what Jenner did, I was worried about him. Maybe my brother knew where he was.
“I’m going to text Eric.”
I grabbed my phone from my back pocket and started typing.
Do you know where Jenner is?
Putting the phone in my pocket, I went back, inspecting the wall for cracks. The house hadn’t been kept up in over a decade, and it needed a lot of work.