Page 43 of Interference

“I…” She trails off.

“What? Tell me. You can tell me anything,” I urge her.

Then she reaches out and grabs my hand. “I think I can face anything with you by my side.”

It’s not a declaration of love, but it’s a step in the right direction.

I’ll take it.

“Good. Now let’s go get you a foot-long Coney dog with chili cheese.”

She smiles wider. “Extra chili and cheese.”

I laugh. “Whatever you and Apple want, you get.”

If she were mine, I would lean across and kiss her on the lips, but we aren’t, so I do the next best thing.

I lean over and kiss her temple.

One day.

eleven

Standing in the kitchen, I set the pitcher down and put the lid on my water bottle after refilling it. The front door opens then closes. Grabbing the pitcher, I put it back in the fridge.

“Hey, how was class?” I ask Ashley as she comes into view.

“Fine.”

Something about her tone sets me on edge.

I turn to look at her. “Is everything okay?”

She crosses her arms over her chest. “Actually, no, it’s not.”

“What’s up?” I ask as I lean against the counter.

“What’s wrong is I didn’t know I was living with a whore,” she spews.

I can’t help but flinch when her words hit me.

Whore? She thinks I’m a whore?

“Excuse me?” I manage to say.

“When I agreed to live with you, I didn’t realize that I was moving in with the hockey team’s whore. It’s no wonder you got pregnant.”

Her words hit me hard. I can feel the tears building in my eyes, but I will them away.

“Look, I don’t know what you’ve heard, but I’m no one’s whore,” I spit out.

She scoffs. “Really? Does Brett know?”

“Does Brett know what?” I ask.

“That you’re hooking up with his best friend. Don’t even try to deny it. I saw Wyatt here the other night. Is your baby even Brett’s, or are you settling for him because of his money?”

Is this bitch for real?