Page 84 of Something True


Font Size:

"And Angelina happened to be there. And she, uh, hitched a ride to Detroit with him."

My gaze narrowed. "What kind of ride?"

"Well, it wasn't the kind that Angelina claimed."

"How do you know?"

"Because after you and I talked, I asked around."

"And…?"

"And I learned that hedidgive her a ride, I mean in his car, but it only lasted like two miles."

I felt my brow wrinkle. "What happened after two miles?"

Cassie leaned forward. "Get this. He kicks her skanky ass out and makes her walk."

"To where?"

"To the gas station. You know, where he picked her up."

I shook my head. "I don't believe it."

"Which part?" Cassie asked.

"I don't believe any of it," I said. "But especially about him making her walk."

"Why not?"

"Because he's a lot nicer than that."

Cassie laughed. "To you, maybe."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Look, I'm not saying he isn't a great guy. But how he treats you and how he treats Angelina are two different things." She gave me a wistful smile. "I've seen you two together, remember? He's crazy about you. Anyone can see that."

It was a nice thought, but I couldn’t take much comfort in it. True, Joel hadn't ditched me on the roadside. But hehadleft my house in the middle of the night. In the big scheme of things, it wasn't a whole lot better.

Still, there was something that I didn't quite understand. "So let me get this straight," I said. "When I told you that Joel and I were engaged, you were under the impression that he hooked up with Angelina? Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because I wasn't sure it was true, and I didn't want to say anything until I knew for sure."

I tried to laugh. "Well, you did saysomethings."

She looked utterly mortified. "I know. And I'm really sorry."

I sighed. "That's alright. Besides, you were right. Probably, I should've listened."

But Cassie was shaking her head. "No. Iwasn'tright. Mostly, I was in a rotten mood and took it out on you."

I gave her a concerned look. "Is something wrong?"

She waved away the question. "Nah, everything's fine."

I studied her face. I wasn't so sure.

As if eager to change the subject, Cassie leaned forward again. "Hey, you wanna know how I’m sure that Joel kicked the skank out of his car?"