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Chapter 31 (Lou-Lou)
I knock on the door and stomp my foot, hating that Ricardo's putting me in this position.
He said he had to leave for a few hours to handle some business, and if I wanted to continue staying at the apartment, I had to go over to Jackson and Alyssa's while he was gone.
In other words, he basically hired them as my goddamn babysitters.
I never thought I'd miss Marlene, but then again I guess there's a first time for everything.
I really wish Tyrone and Shelby didn't have to do wedding shit today, because I'd totally choose to hang out with them right now.
It's weird as hell when Alyssa opens the door and we stare at one another for a moment, neither of us knowing what to say to the other.
On one hand, I know I should give my condolences for her mother's passing, but I can't really do that without bringing him up, so that's not happening.
I also really don't want to talk about her being pregnant.
Basically, I don't want to talk to Alyssa at all—I'd almost rather talk to Jackson and he's about as interesting as cabbage.
I don't like either of them, and the more Ricardo keeps pushing them on me, the more I want to explode.
We've only been back for 5 days, but every single day, he forces me to make contact with them in some way, shape, or form.
Today I've officially reached my limit. I've had enough of these forced pleasantries, and I have every intention of telling him that once he gets back.
But for now? I have no choice but to deal with baby bump Barbie and her jackass Jackson Ken.
I cross my arms and she moves to the side, silently inviting me in.
I glare at her and she glares right back at me.
For a moment, I wish I had a gun so she could experience how it feels to be taken hostage at gun point after inviting someone in.
Yeah, I guess some things you just don't forget.
I haven't had many relationships with people in my short 25 years...but out of all of them? The one I have with this chick wins the award for the most awkward relationship in the history of ever.
I don't exactly hate her, sometimes I even tolerate her.
And by technical standards, she's my step-sister—but neither of us dare to bring that fun fact up.
And now thanks to my sick, pedophile father having just killed her drunk, poor excuse for a mother—I'm guessing the chances of us ever reconciling our differences are pretty damn slim.
Yet, for reasons I can't fathom, Ricardo keeps insisting on it.
I stride past her and settle in on the couch, making myself comfortable since I'm going to be here for a few hours.
She sits on the couch next to me and the silence continues.
I think we're both grateful when Jackson walks into the living room.
He rubs the back of his neck, his gaze ping-ponging between the both of us.
“Did Ricardo say when he was going to be back?”
“Nope,” I answer, reaching for the remote. “You guys have cable?”
“Yeah, but—”
I sit up. “But what?”
“I don't think it's a good idea to watch television...considering the circumstances and all.”
He looks nervously between the both of us again. “I'm go
“They can't...they're out doing wedding stuff,” Alyssa answers, looking like she's sucking on a sour grape.
Jackson looks up at the ceiling. “Momma?”
“With them doing wedding shit,” I answer, crossing my legs and averting my gaze away from them.
“This is go
“You're telling me,” I mutter right back.
“You know, you don't need to be such a miserable bitch right now. Not for nothing, but you are a guest in our home,” Alyssa spews and the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
Jackson opens his mouth but I bolt up from the couch. “Yeah, a home I have no desire to be in.” I shift my weight to one foot and narrow my eyes. “And last time I checked, the DeLuca's owned this apartment complex now.”
Jackson pinches the bridge of his nose and Alyssa snorts. “Which DeLuca exactly? Because quite honestly, it's getting a little hard to keep up.” She shoots me a cruel smile. “In fact, I'm starting to forget one of them is dead since I can hardly tell the two apart anymore.” She puts a finger to her lips and her eyes narrow into tiny slits. “Can you? I mean, do they screw the same or do the similarities end at being sick, evil, manipulating, murdering, assholes?” She sits upright. “Who can't even manage to kill the right people because they're nothing but traitors.”
Oh hell no.
I charge at her, pregnant or not, there's no way in hell I'm going to let her talk about Ricardo like that.
She waddles toward me but a thick arm wraps around my waist and tears me away.
“Enough,” Jackson barks, loud enough the windows rattle.
Great. The stupid bitch provoked this side of Jackson. It's on the tip of my tongue to remind her that Jackson's not exactly Mr. Sunshine either, but Alyssa starts crying and Jackson's expression softens. “I'm sorry, Jackson,” she cries, reaching for a tissue. “But this is ridiculous. Everyone was better off without this psycho. She comes back in like a storm and rips everyone's lives apart. I'm sick of it, I'm sick of dealing with the DeLuca's.” She juts her chin out. “And their crazy whores.”
If Jackson wasn't still holding me, I'd probably stumble back from that blow.
I knew Alyssa didn't particularly like me, but even I misjudged just how deep her hatred ran.
I open my mouth, I'm not sure whether it's to call her a nasty name or to rip up one side of her and down the other, but to my utter surprise Jackson comes to my defense.
“No, Alyssa. Everyone wasn't better off without her.” His jaw flexes. “And for you to call her that after everything you've been through...is just...wow. Usually you amaze me in a good way, but not right now.”
He releases me and walks over to her. “I know you're sick of dealing with the DeLuca's, Alyssa. I know what that family has taken from you. But Ricardo's part of our family. He's not a traitor.”
He tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. “I'm sorry about your mother. I'm so sorry you didn't get to mend your relationship and I'm so sorry she died...but this isn't the way to deal with the loss. Lashing out at Lou-Lou and blaming her and Ricardo won't make anything better. You're better than that, damsel.” He plants a quick kiss on her lips. “I know you are, because you're the best thing in this world.”
She squeezes her eyes shut and Jackson turns to face me.
“I'm not usually one to admit when I'm wrong, but I think I might have misjudged a few things about you in the past.”
His face hardens. “Don't make me think my original thoughts about you were spot on. And don't ever charge at my girl, who happens to be carrying my baby, ever again.”
He takes a step forward and glares down at me. “Or you will break both mine and your man's heart...because I will burn the bridge between us and wipe my ass with the match. Feel me?”
“I wasn't going to hurt her.” My eyelids fall shut. “And I would never hurt your baby.”
My eyes cut to Alyssa. “Ricardo's not Bruno DeLuca. I'm sorry your mother died. I'm sorry he's still—” I pause, trying to get some control over the way my voice shakes. “I don't know why he's still alive...but if you're thinking it's because I asked DeLuca and Ricardo to spare him...it's not.”