Page 51 of Caught in Us
I don’t know what my face does, but my insides feel as if they’ve been pummeled. Even though we’re sitting down, I can’t catch my breath.Chase and Julia are moving in together?I think I might be sick.
“Here’s your water, ma’am.” I’m saved by the server as he reaches between us, then turns to Julia. “And what can I get you to drink?”
“I’ll have a glass of the Cabernet Sauvignon.”
“Perfect choice.” He nods his head, then leaves the room.
“What’s everyone getting?” Jill asks from the head of the table.
“It all looks so good,” Callie gushes. “Oh! Let’s get a bunch of appetizers to share. Unless you’d rather we each get our own items?”
“No, I’m good with that.” Jill lifts a glass of beer to her lips, but before she takes a drink she finds my gaze. “Alicia, is that okay with you?”
“Of course.” I glance around, a little taken aback she’s only addressed me when there are ten others at the table. “You know I love everything.”
“I wasn’t sure. I feel like I don’t know anything about you now.” She’s smiling, but the snark in her tone catches me off-guard.
“Jill,” Callie warns.
“What?” Jill shrugs, her words slurring slightly. “I’m just being honest.”
The conversations around the table quiet and I feel the heat of their gazes.
“We’ve been drinking all day.” Callie meets my stare. “She doesn’t mean it.”
Jill’s smile disappears and a hard scowl takes its place. “Don’t apologize for me.”
I already feel out of place. I don’t belong. Not really. It was silly to think we could pretend the last three years never happened. I wish I could make things right, but now is not that time. I don’t want to ruin her night. “Maybe I should go.”
“No.” Callie frowns, pushing her chair back from the table and shoving to her feet. “Can you ladies give us a minute?” Her smile is forced. “Jill, Alicia? Can I see you in the ladies’ room?”
I wait for Jill to stand first, then follow behind as Callie leads us out of the room. This feels like a walk to the principal’s office—no, worse, really. My cheeks are hot with embarrassment, but I hold my head high.
Callie stalks into the restroom, checking the stalls before turning on us. “Okay, whatever the hell that was can’t happen tonight.”
Jill crosses her arms over her chest, lifting her chin in defiance. “I’m just trying to enjoy my party.”
“I’ll just go.” I swallow back the urge to cry.
“No.” Callie shakes her head, then pins Jill with a glare. “Okay, Loose Lips, now’s your chance. Air all the dirty laundry so we can enjoy this night without any bullshit drama.”
Jill’s jaw ticks and her heel taps the tile floor. She heaves out a sigh before turning to meet my stare. “You stopped returning my calls.”
Shame washes over me. “I know.”
Her hand goes to her hip. “Why?”
Defensiveness prickles up my spine. I know I hurt her, but fuck, it’s not like I didn’t suffer too. “I was alone and pregnant in a foreign country. I was dealing with a few things.”
“No, that’s bullshit.” Jill shakes her head. “You know I’d have been on the first plane to help you if you told me. I get that you were scared. I get that it was hard, but what I don’t get is why you cut us out.”
“It’s not that simple.”
“But it is.” Jill throws up her hands. “Damn it, Alicia. You were my best fucking friend. I would have stood by your side for anything. Whether you wanted an abortion, or to give him up for adoption, or to keep him. You know I would’ve done anything for you.” Her voice cracks, her eyes sad. “But you pushed us away and we deserve to know why.”
Callie touches Jill’s shoulder. “Maybe we should go back inside to the party.”
“No, I want answers.” Jill shakes off her touch, stepping forward with challenge in her stare. “Explain it to me. What was so damn important about keeping your baby a secret? What didn’t you want us to know?”
