Page 52

Story: Anti-Hero

I was expecting that question from Lili at some point this evening, so it’s easy not to react. “Good. Fine.”
“Really? You downgraded fromgoodtofinein the span of two seconds.”
I huff a laugh. “I didn’t mean to downgrade.”
“Did something happen?”
“Don’t sleep with him.”
I tap my finger against the side of my glass. “We … argued on Friday.”
“I’m pretty sure you and Collins have argued every time you were in the same room together.”
“Yeah, well, we haven’t been arguing lately, so I … feel badly. I was stressed about some other stuff, and I took it out on her. I’ll apologize on Monday.”
“You’d better. What was the argument about?”
“Just a work thing.”
“Huh.”
“She wanted me to say hi to you, by the way.”
“If she’s talking to you on Monday, tell her hi back.”
“Ha,” I reply, but unease twists in my chest.
Herstrip clubcomment couldn’t be categorized asprofessional, but I definitely didn’t de-escalate things by interfering in her sex life.
“There you two are! I’ve been looking everywhere.” Mom walks out on the patio.
“You told me to come out here,” I point out.
“Twenty minutes ago. I figured you’d been back inside for awhile—oh no.” Mom’s fixated on a spot by the pool.
I twist to look, too, spotting the hole that’s been dug in the pristine grass immediately. It stands out, unfortunately.
“You can explain howthatgot there to your grandfather’s gardeners,” Mom states before heading inside with the dogs. They trot after her in tandem, the picture of perfect obedience.
I sigh. “I’m never dog-sitting again.”
Lili sits up and slips her heels back on. “C’mon, Kit. A little responsibility won’t kill you.”
“You weren’t exactly keeping a close eye on things yourself,” I call after her.
Lili just laughs as she heads inside.
I drain my glass, stand, and follow.
14
There’s a loud thud overhead. Another. Then a third.
I lie perfectly still on my lumpy mattress, silently praying that the ceiling will collapse and bury me in a cave of plaster. Unfortunately, it holds, even as the sounds overhead increase in frequencyandvolume.
Moaning joins the thudding, and I realize exactly what I’m listening to.
You’vegotto be kidding me.

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