A Summer to Remember(33)
I threw my arms in the air in exasperation. “Well, for one, I didn’t just develop a ‘thing’ for Paul. It has been a long time coming. Second of all, I really do adore Paul and this isn’t a crush or just infatuation. I have loved the guy for as long as I can remember—I had feelings for him way before Kevin even came on to the scene and I thought perhaps if I found a guy that was like him, maybe those feelings would slowly vanish but they never did.”
Savannah walked over and stared at me with those gorgeous cerulean blue eyes of hers. “Then we want you to be happy, Jerrica. We all got sick of the male merry-go-round after Kevin and if Paul makes you happy then we are all very excited for you.”
Talia grabbed Autum’s hand and she took Savannah’s. “How about a group hug, huh? To seal this wonderful friendship and to remind one another that we have all been through some relationship troubles but through it all, we have always seen one another through.
We embraced and for the first time in a long time, I was completely satisfied because I had my friends back and besides finding a wonderful guy, friendship was definitely at the top of my list.
That evening, everything went from bad to worse as far as Jude and Ashley were concerned. By the time we sat down for dinner, she had decided to seat herself next to Cyd and hung on his every word like the vacuous bitch she truly was while Savannah sat next to my brother and discussed men’s clothing.
Paul and I were late for dinner as usual but it wasn’t because we’d taken the plunge and that is what was starting to drive me crazy. I wanted to be with this man desperately and he teased me to no end but the results were always the same. It was never the right time and I didn’t know how many times I could bitch slap my libido into place before it took overtook me completely.
“You two sure did take your sweet time…what were you doing exactly?” Autumn teased in an overly dramatic voice.
I swear I would have knocked her sideways if she wasn’t one of my best friends. “We weren’t doing anything except showering and getting dressed. Would you like a detailed itinerary?”
“I don’t think that’s necessary,” Ashley spoke up before she sipped from her Dom Perignon rosé champagne. “When we were together, Paul had a certain technique that definitely drives every woman he’s been with crazy…me included. I’m sure he was just trying it out on his new conquest, isn’t that right, Jerrica? It’s not as if you have a great track record with men and how long is this one going to last? A week? A month? Perhaps a bit longer before you get bored and your eyes wander to yet another one of your brother’s friends to f*ck?”
“Excuse me but who do you think it is you’re talking to?” Talia interrupted in an icy voice. “How dare you believe just because you are from some well known WASP family you can talk to my friend any way you like?”
“It’s no problem, Tal, I can fight my own battles.” I glared at the icy brunette with the stunning bluer than blue eyes. “And speaking of whores, how many have you been through? First Paul, then my brother and now you have moved on to Cyd? Damn, woman, as they say in some hip-hop songs, you sure do know how to get around…and around—”
“Don’t you dare act so self righteous towards me! You know absolutely nothing about me!”
“I know all I need to know and sweetie, that is more than enough. You’re nothing but a socialite fishing for a rich husband and what is so sad about your predicament is you don’t even try to hide it. You’re just here…trying to see what kind of great deal you can get and if someone better comes along then I pity the guy who falls for you!”
Ashley stood and faced me at the dinner table. “Oh yeah? And what does that make you? Some poor helpless little freak who can’t even have children because Kevin squelched on the money and you had to get that bad abortion at Vassar? You don’t think the whole of high society knows about that? Did your brother act surprised when you told him and what about Paul? Did he cry the necessary crocodile tears and tell you everything is all right?
“Kevin used you and when he was through with you, he told everyone and sundry what happened and why he dumped the great Jerrica Peterson. He said you couldn’t have babies because he made sure to ruin you the way your father ruined his family. And you know what the funny part about the situation is? You fell for that weak game and his even more pitiful charms hook, line, and sinker.”
I stared at the young woman who possessed a smirk so wide it almost looked like a smile belonging to The Joker from a Batman film. She wasn’t just making this up and everyone in our circle of friends knew about my humiliation at Vassar College?