“I wanted to see if you were jealous. Clearly, you are.”
I chew on the inside of my lip. Yeah, I guess I am jealous. “I don’t want you seeing other girls.”
“I know, and I won’t. You can trust me.”
“Did it ever bother you that I had sex with Nix?” This is a sore subject, so I’m treading lightly, but I also really want to know.
“No, not Nix. That was different. There was never any jealousy between us. I’m not sure why. Maybe because I always shared everything with him. Or maybe because I trust him so completely.” He drops what’s left of his burger onto his plate. “Let’s get out of here. I’ve lost my appetite.”
“What? No! I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have brought it up.”
“It’s not that. I don’t mind talking about Nix.”
“Then what—”
“Hey, Colt.”
UGH.
Deborah’s voice makes me cringe worse than nails on a chalkboard.
She walks right up to our table but doesn’t greet or acknowledge me in any other way, which I guess is a step up from belittling and bullying me. Alongside her is a guy I’ve never seen before. He seems to be our age, maybe a little older, judging by all the tattoos on his arms and hands.
Unlike Deborah, his eyes are on me, zeroing in on me in a weird and creepy way.
“Funny meeting you here.” She waits for Colt to respond, but he is more interested in the leftover fries than her. “So, did you hear Bradley went on a weekend trip and never came back?” Another moment of awkward silence. If she was anyone else I would feel bad for her.
“Do you mind if we sit with you?” Deborah asks Colt as if I’m not even here at all.
Colt ignores Deborah like she does me and directs all of his attention to the guy next to her. “You know what’s funny, Jeremy? I was just telling Leni if someone looks at her too long, I’ll fuck her in front of him, then cut his eyes out and shove them up his ass.”
“Down his throat, actually. That’s what you said earlier,” I correct him with a grin.
“You heard her. Down your throat.”
Jeremy turns ghostly pale, takes a few steps back, and casts his eyes to the floor.
Deborah giggles nervously. “Well, can I sit with you?”
Now Colt does look at her. “Deborah, I don’t understand how you are this stupid and not realize when people don’t like you. No, you can’t sit with us. Not now, not ever. You are nothing but a stuck-up bitch, latching on to every guy who gives you a sliver of attention. So do us all a favor and get lost before I throw up the burger and ruin this date.”
I’ve never liked Deborah, but I can’t help feeling sorry for her. She turns her head away like she is about to start crying and doesn’t want anyone to see. “Let’s go, Jeremy.” She takes him by the hand and pulls him out of the restaurant.
I should be happy that Colt stood up for me, that he sent them off while also making it clear we’re dating. I should be giddy that Deborah got some of her own medicine, but instead, I’m reminded of how Colt can be.
The past few weeks have been so nice. He has been kind to me, even loving, and so attentive. I almost forgot this side of Colt. Just like his dad, he has two versions of himself, and though I’m glad I’m on his “good side” now, knowing that he could change his mind about me any day has my stomach in knots.
Dread pools in my stomach. My mind is so hazy with fear I barely notice the server coming to clear our plates and bring us the check. Colt throws a few twenty-dollar bills on the table.
“You okay?”
“Yeah. I’m fine.”
He slides out of his seat and comes to stand beside me. “Let’s go home. You look a little pale—”
“What if you change your mind again?” Still sitting in my spot, I look up at him, waiting on his answer.
“What?” He looks confused. “What are you talking about?” He sits back down, but this time, he takes the seat next to me.