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“What do you think, Ava?” I ask with interest. “Or do you want to piss me off, Ava?” Those at the table have grown quiet. I love it. I have everybody under such control right now even my parents are quiet. Just imagine that.
“So, what? Do you want to go at me like you went at Carter? Go for it!” she replies provokingly and her eyes sparkle challengingly. She is so sweet.
All right. I rest my cheek on my fist as I look at her and uncertainty flickers in her gaze.
“How’s cheerleader practice going,” I ask gently because she hasn’t been going for half a year. When she claims she’s going to practice, she meets her boyfriend, who also deflowered her. Just a little side information in case anyone is interested. I’m sure Dad would find it incredibly interesting especially if he knew who her boyfriend was.
She’s pale and I grin lazily. “Why?” she replies sheepishly and suddenly, she’s not so challenging anymore.
“Shit, Emilia, we gave birth to a demon.” Dad is stuffing his lasagna into his mouth and staring at me like I’m a scientific object. I realize you’re rattled again and I glance at you after I take a bite.
“What do you think? When is it cheating? A look, a conversation, or a kiss? Mom, what do you think,” I ask with interest and my sister exhales with relief because I no longer have her in my sights.
“Oh!” Mom cries. “Don’t ask me that!” She and Dad stare at their plates. I know all about their pasts and who cheated on whom. Each other, the partner, each other, it was a fu
“What do you think, baby?” I ask you softly and spare myself the accompanying, girl. You stare at your plate and grind your teeth, and I notice how tense you are.
“Shit, Caden, stop it,” Carter grumbles, a
Finally, I can punish everyone for the shit they’ve pulled. Ava for her smart mouth, Carter for fucking you behind my back, and you for letting him fuck you. I love you, Alayna, but I can’t deal with this unless I discipline you in my own way, otherwise, I’ll remain jealous forever and that’s not good for you, even if you don’t know about all this. I’ll deal with it myself, baby, it’s okay.
“So?” I repeat.
When you glance up, I see the fighting spirit in your eyes that sparkle green, like you want to spear me.
“I don’t know. You tell me, Caden, what is your definition of deceit? And where does madness begin for you?” you hiss and your cheeks slowly redden.
Carter chokes on his bite and coughs, which is why Dad slaps him hard on the back but looks spellbound at us. You are still staring at me. I’m smiling because I like it, Alayna. I never thought I would.
“My definition of cheating is when the person who is in a committed relationship with me makes eyes at other men, kisses them, talks to them, and thinks about them, imagining that they are there when they are not, in moments when you are definitely alone with the person. For me, madness begins exactly at that moment, Alayna. And you? What do you think?”
You blink, baby.
Dad pushes his chair backward abruptly so that it scrapes across the floor before he stands up. You and I are still staring into each other’s eyes even though I know what’s coming. But it was worth it, it always is. Right, Alayna?
“Come with me. Now!” Dad hisses before he whirls around and marches audibly up the steps. I realize that he was talking to me. Of course, who else? Again. I follow him without looking back, feeling your eyes on my back until I disappear around the corner.
Angry. I am really angry, Alayna. And everyone who knows me knows I should never be angry.