“Yes,” she said. “It’s my turn, Harper. I’ll take the blame thistime, and you can take it out on me for as long as you need but I’m not going anywhere.”
“You shouldn’t have to deal with this.”
“But I will,” she said. “For you. I’ll always fight. I’ll always stay.”
I was speechless. Blinking at her as she dug her feet in and planted herself in the shit storm with me, I was realizing that I didn’t know how to do this. How to stay and work through feelings as big as these. I talked a big game but when it came down to it, when things were tough I did the same thing Mar did. I ran.
But Alta wasn't letting me run. Not a single step.
The feeling I left the Fernandez’s offices with was the equivalent of a dog being scolded but given dinner afterward. I was no clearer on the issue of my family appearing and wanting to be a family again without my sister, but was unmistakably clear about one thing. Alta Fernandez was not leaving me. Even if I tried to push her away with harsh words and accusations.
That was… weird. If someone would have told me the girl who looked at me sideways for merely existing would one day hold onto me so tightly I wouldn’t have believed them. And ifmy hypothetical tail was tucked between my legs as I cowered away from Alta’s, the sharp voice that caught me just as I was passing through the lobby made that tail stand straight up. Alert and cagey. Ready for an attack.
“Hey!” Clay’s voice was distinctive as it barked through the air. “Yo, what the fuck, Montez?”
Whipping around, I found myself eager for the feeling of anger that immediately washed over me. I wasn’t able to be fully angry with Alta. I was already sorry about the rude things I’d said.
But with this motherfucker, I could be as angry as I damn well pleased. “What’s wrong with me? What’s wrong with you? When we’re you going to fucking tell me, huh?”
“You didn't want to know,” he scoffed, reaching me just in time for me to push him, my palms smashing into his shoulders and launching him away from me.
“Bullshit,” I said. “You know damn well this is something I’d want to know.”
His eyes screamed murder, and I think it was a great courtesy that he didn’t move against me. It must have been him showing remorse for not telling me what was going on.
All remorse fell away as he continued to bark at me like I was the one at fault here. “Alright. Fair, I’m sorry I didn't say anything, but that’s me. We’ll sort our shit out later. But why the fuck did you blow up on Fernandez like that?”
Somehow, these words made me want to fight him more than the ones previous. For some reason him even mentioning her made me want to throttle him.The first clear emotion I’d felt in hours bubbling to the surface and bringing me right into his face.
We were about the same. Same height, same build, I think I had him by a good ten pounds. And if I remember correctly, I won that fight we had as kids. I’d win another.
“That doesn't have shit to do with you, Clay,” I spat.
A hand clasped me by the shoulder and squeezed. “It sure as shit does. Especially when you’re being a dumbass.”
“Excuse me?” I blinked.
“You. Dumbass. That’s what you’re being,” he said more clearly.
I prickled. “Are you trying to piss me off?”
“Maybe. If that’s what it’ll take to pull your head out of your ass.”
I blinked. “Do I get an explanation for these kind words?”
He rolled his eyes and glowered. “She stuck her neck out for you in there, and you’re what? Mad at her?”
“Shut the fuck up Clay.” I pushed away, trying to get away from him.
He turned me right back around. “Not a chance, Montez. You’re mad at me for not opening my mouth when I should’ve, so let me fix that. Starting now. I’m opening my mouth to tell you that you’re being an idiot—no, anassholewhere Alta is concerned”
My eye twitched. So now she was Alta, huh?
“I’m sorry, I fail to realize when this became any of your fucking business,” I snapped, sending him a death glare.
“It became my business the moment my friend started acting like a dumbass who doesn’t know how to treat somebody he loves.”
Heat climbed every part of me as I became officially pissed. The situation was catching up to me in a helpless spiral, this asshole at the center of the tornado.
