Page 44 of Blood

I spin my head, looking around, but the only people staring are Kaleb, Shelby, and poor Judy. The older woman probably thinks I’ve lost my damn mind.

“Move,” I practically shout, shoving Kaleb in the side.

“Sam,” he tries, but I’m done. I need to leave. “Samantha,” he says again in a tone I recognize as my last warning.

Stop now, or I’ll have a red ass.

If I wasn’t in the middle of a breakdown, I’d listen, but I am, so instead, I shuffle toward the end of the bench, pushing my body against his.

The fucker barely moves. I hate him more.

“Sorry about that.” Kaleb smiles at Judy like I’m not making a scene. He reaches for his wallet.

Judy waves him off when he tries to pass her two fifties.

“For today and last week,” he explains.

Closing my eyes, I count to ten and take a deep breath. I feel a buildup behind my eyelids, and I need to get out of here before they come.

“You had three orders of waffles.”

“I hear that granddaughter of yours is having braces fitted next month.” I feel him shrug.

“Sooner,” Judy chats. “She’s not looking forward to it, a little self-conscious.”

“She’s at that age. They’ll be off before she knows it.”

I hear Judy agree before someone calls out from another table.

“I owe you a meal, Shelbs.”

“It’s okay,” my best friend replies, her voice wavering. Even she thinks I’ve lost it.

I feel her eyes on me. What is she thinking? A few days after Kaleb left last week, I panicked and told her everything. She sat and listened. Never judged, at least not out loud. She even made sure I got home safe after I drank a bottle of wine alone.

But I haven’t seen her since. She’s been busy.Or she thinks you’re a freak who fucked her own brother.

He’s not my brother!

The first tear makes its escape.

Kaleb’s hand slides along my lower back to my right hip, where it stays.

“Come on,” he urges softly, encouraging me out of the booth after him.

My body shivers at the touch, igniting. My heart pounds in my chest, matching the pulse in my clit.

Another tear spills.

Kaleb keeps his hand anchored, leading me out to the parking lot.

“My car’s over here.”

His words are a mental slap, and I stagger away from him.

“I’m not going anywhere with you.” I shake my head. “I lied.” I sniffle. “Earlier,” I explain, wiping the back of my hand under my nose. My voice is thick with tears. “I had my phone, and I just didn’t want to talk to you. Ignoring thirty calls should have been a clue,” I say, my voice raising. “Stop calling, and stop texting. Leave me the fuck alone, Kaleb.”

I hate myself, and he should hate me too.