Stop.I shouldn’t cry. As her older sister, it was my job to be her shoulder to cry on. Not the other way around. And with all the boys she always had chasing after her, she frequently needed a shoulder to cry on.She’d know what to do about my current boy situation.
“So I need your advice,” I said. “I met this amazing guy, but he claims it would be too dangerous for us to be together…”
“Sounds complicated,” said someone behind me.
I looked over my shoulder and saw Joe standing there, holding a box of Dickson & Son’s Sugarcakes.What the hell?He was the last person I wanted to see ever. And today of all days? I was grieving.
“Mind if I sit?” he asked. But he didn’t wait for my answer. He just sat down next to me. Onmybeach towel.
“Yes, I do mind if you sit,” I snapped, yanking the towel out from under him. I stomped across the clearing and sat down in a new, Joe-free spot. Maybe someone else would find it sweet that he’d remembered how important today was to me. But that someone wasn’t me. I hated him. And he had no right to interrupt Rosalie’s birthday. I just wanted to be alone.
He followed me. “Ash, don’t be like this.”
“Go away.” I hated that my voice quivered. Because I really could use a hug.Don’t you dare think like that, Ash.
“No.”
“Why are you here, Joe? Would it kill you to not be an asshole for a single day?” He knew what today was. He knew how much I missed my sister. Why the hell did he have to pick today of all days to show up in my life again?
“I know we didn’t end on good terms…”
“You think?” I scoffed.
“…but I thought you might need a friend today. Someone to talk to.”
“You’re not my friend.” But there was a small part of my heart that thawed. Just a little.
“Fine. A person.”
“You’re not a person. You’re a monster.” Just because a small part of my heart had thawed didn’t mean the rest of it didn’t hate his guts.
Joe sat down next to me. “I deserve that. Want a cupcake?” He pushed the box toward me.
I shook my head. “You mean a cupcake made with the recipe you stole from me?”
He stayed silent.
“God, I wish I had listened to Rosalie about you. She always knew you were an asshole.”
“I thought she liked me?”
“No. She hated you.”
“More than Madison hates me?” asked Joe.
“God no. By the way, you should keep an eye out for her. She’s been lobbying hard for me to cut your dick off.”
“Maybe then she’d like me. You know…since she hates penises.”
I laughed. “I’m actually not sure about that. A few weeks ago she got super drunk and admitted to wanting, and I quote, ‘The biggest, blackest man.’ ”
Joe laughed too. “Are you kidding me?”
“I swear.” I couldn’t help the smile on my face.
“Well I’ll be damned.” Joe shook his head.
I started to laugh more but it got caught in my throat. What the hell was happening? Was I seriously sitting here with Joe making lesbo jokes about Madison? It felt so natural. I looked down at the grass so I wouldn’t be tempted to look at him. “What happened to us?” I asked.
