“Don’t give me that shit,” Stacey seethes. I look from one woman to the other, beginning to wonder if there’s going to be a cat fight. “You are so fucking weak when it comes to Xavier that you will keep letting him walk all over you. The difference is that, this time, I won’t be there to pick up the pieces when you realize that you don’t even recognize yourself anymore. From what I hear, he already got you to quit your job. And seriously, do you think he’s going to stick around this time? You’re nothing but a comfortable fuck while he gets over his dead wife.”
I look over Stacey’s shoulder and see the manager and a bartender making their way over to us. I jerk my head in their direction, making sure Melanie knows that our little party is about to be disbanded.
“Stacey, you don’t have the first clue when it comes to what we have. You’re so fucking pathetic that you spread your legs for anyone who’s willing to stick their dick in you and then you wonder why you can’t find a good man to love you.” As the manager gets closer, Melanie’s words come out in a rush. “I highly suggest you get the fuck out of my life for good this time. I told you I was done with your crap when I got back from my cruise and you still felt like you had to get the last word in. This is me telling you, it’s done. If you try talking to me, I will walk away, if you try sticking your nose in my life, I will knock it off your face. You’re a manipulative bitch and one of these days karma is going to give you everything you deserve. Now, if you don’t mind, I would like to have dinner with my family.”
The manager is standing behind Stacey, watching the interaction but not getting involved. I’m proud of my girl for staying so calm while telling Stacey to go to hell. It makes Stacey’s next outburst that much sweeter. “You’re a delusional bitch, you know that? And when you’re left on your ass, again, don’t bother crying to me because I’m so fucking done with your little soap opera life--”
“Ma’am, is there a problem here?” the manager asks, tapping Stacey on the shoulder. She whips around and glares at him. You can almost see the gears grinding in her mind, trying to pin this on Melanie or me.
“Sir, we’re trying to enjoy a night out and this woman came over attacking my girlfriend.” Okay, so it might be a slight exaggeration, but not much. And I don’t feel bad about it since Stacey is one of the most pathetic excuses for a human being I’ve ever seen.
“Miss, we’re going to have to ask you to leave,” the manager informs Stacey. She stands there gaping like a fish out of water. When Stacey makes no move toward the exit, the bartender reaches for her arm, physically escorting her out of the building.
“I’m sorry for the disruption,” I tell the manager, now a bit embarrassed for how loud we got. Every single word was deserved, but we’re adults and should act like it.
“Are you kidding? That woman is in here every week running her mouth. It felt good to be able to kick her out for once.”
“Feel better?” Melanie laughs, opening her arms to me. I don’t answer her, but yes, I feel as if I’ve purged a bit of the anger I’ve held onto for so long and, despite everything Stacey has done, we’re somehow back to being where we belong.
Chapter 19
United front. That’s the only way to describe how Xavier and I have been functioning for the past two months. Stacey being at Wing Stop the night we got back together turned out to be one of the best things that could have happened to us. Before that, I felt like she was this black cloud hovering over us, her lies a toxin to what we used to share. It was liberating to stand next to the man she tried to convince me had thrown me out like garbage and listen to him tell her that we’re stronger than ever because of her actions.
Sometimes, it’s hard to imagine how things were between us when we were younger. What we have now is so much different, deeper. We still have our fair share of rough days, but that’s to be expected in any relationship.
“Miss Melanie, will you make me a cake on Sunday?” Jacob’s eyes are sad when I look to where he’s sitting, watching me make dinner. Tonight, Xavier will be home from his last business trip and Jacob wanted to do something nice for him. I’ve quickly learned that Alyssa used to find all sorts of reasons to celebrate before she got sick and she’s passed that on to her son. It’s a bit awkward at times, and I do feel like I’m living in her shadow, but I’m glad Jacob feels that he can talk to me about his mom.
“Why Sunday?” I ask.