“I see,” she responds.
“Not really. I just don’t like the idea that someone doesn’t value what he has in Kayla,” I interrupt again, looking straight at Tommy.
Tommy puts his fork down and looks me in the eye. I’ll grudgingly give him bonus points for that.
“I know her value,” he states. “It’s why I asked her to marry me. I wasn’t stupid enough to have her around for years and not notice how special she is.”
Fucking prick. I see the self-satisfied way he’s looking at me. My mother’s words come back to mind, but I shut them down. Kayla and I do not have that dynamic. I’m not having kids. I can’t give her what she wants. Besides, even thinking about Kayla like that would ruin our friendship. That absolutely can’t happen.
“I think it’s time we change the subject,” Kayla says, and her voice is filled with an unspoken warning. I want to push it, but when I see her face, I stop. I’m here to support her and maybe shine a light on what a loser Tommy Haynes is.
“I’d like to know why Kayla inspires a pissing match,” Cynthia says, rather bored.
“Cynthia,” Tommy’s mother chastises.
“What? I find it a legitimate question,” she says, looking at her nails as if she’s bored. Maybe she is. From what I know of Cynthia, if she isn’t the center of attention, she’s not interested.
“I think I’ve had enough of the family togetherness,” Tommy says, his voice tight.
“Oh, is little Tommy put out because I don’t like his little girlfriend? I’ve already warned you that if you insist on going through with this marriage, our daughter will not be allowed to stay with you. I don’t want that bitch anywhere near my child,” Cynthia says.
“I see you’re as charming as ever, Cynthia,” I say, looking at her. “Did you insist on being here tonight just to make everyone miserable?” Every time I see her I’m reminded of the hell she put my brother through. I can’t stand her.
“Fuck you, White. If it wasn’t for your brothers and that crazy mother of yours, Green and I would have been fine.”
“Gee, you don’t think it had something to do with the fact that you cheated on him with his coach and at least three other men?”
“I don’t think this is something we should be talking about tonight. Tonight is about—” Tommy starts, and I decide to turn my attention to him. It’s his fault really, the fucker should have kept quiet.
“You don’t think that’s something we should discuss? Could that be because you were one of the men she was screwing while my brother was busting his ass in the minors just so he could get called back up?”
“I think we’ve had enough…” Mrs. Haynes starts.
“White,” Kayla begins.
“I didn’t realize they were still married at the time,” Tommy defends, but if the motherfucker thinks I buy that shit, he’s crazy.
“Of course Green would never have gotten called back to the majors if he hadn’t found out his dear, sweet wife was the village bicycle and everyone around was taking turns pedaling her.”
“You bastard,” Cynthia cries.
My eyes should have been on her, but they aren’t; they’re glued to the bastard who is trying to put his claim on Kayla.
“Were you in on it, too? Helping her arrange it so the coach would give Green every shitty gut-punch he could to keep him away from home? All so you could get the bitch to—”
I’m cut off when Cynthia slaps me across the face. I rub the corner of my mouth where I can feel a sting of blood—probably from that rock she’s wearing on her finger. I wonder what idiot was stupid enough to give her that. Hopefully not my brother.
“I think my work is done here. Kayla, you going home with me or are you staying here?” I ask, getting up.
I’m watching her closely. In my head, I’m urging her to pick me. She jerks her head to look at me. I see panic and stress in her face, and I hate that I put it there, but I need her to see these assholes for who they are. I need her to see who the fuck Tommy is. I mean, what kind of numb-nuts invites his ex to a dinner where his fiancée meets his parents?
C’mon, Kayla. Kick them off like dirt on your shoe. Come with me. Come home to me.
“My fiancé will be staying with me where she belongs,” Tommy answers, wrapping his hand around Kayla. It takes all I’ve got not to tear the fucker away from her and throw him into the wall. The only thing that stops me is Kayla’s gentle voice.
“Tommy will bring me home, White.”
Fuck. Shit. Damn.