Page 31 of Love to Hate You
Un-freaking-believable.
This is so not the time for that.
Marnie’s eyes widen, and her mouth falls open as she realizes the dessert was meant for me. “You made laxative brownies for…Carter?”
Before Daisy can offer up any explanations, Marnie throws up a hand, cutting her off. “You know what, I don’t want to hear any excuses right now. There are more pressing matters that need to be taken care of.” She points to the couch. “Go sit. I’ll deal with you two later.”
Wait just a minute here…
Why am I being included?
I haven’t done anything wrong. I’m the victim in this situation.
More explosions rumble from the bathroom.
So maybe I’m not the victim per se. But I was the intended victim. That should count for something.
I square my shoulders, ready to defend myself. “Ummm, can I just say—”
Noah’s Mom whirls toward me faster than expected, catching me off guard. “No, you may not.” She stabs a finger toward the couch. “Sit!”
“Okay, okay.” Wanting to placate her, I hold up my hands in a gesture of surrender. “I’m sitting.”
She gives me an exasperated look much like the one she gave Daisy and turns back to the bathroom. “Noah,” she says softly, “I picked up more toilet paper—”
“Thank God,” he groans.
“And some Gatorade to replenish your electrolytes, along with an anti-diarrheal medicine that should help the stomach cramps.” She pauses. “I’m going to open the door and place the bag inside, okay?”
“Yeahhhh,” Noah’s drawls on a whimper.
Marnie opens the door and staggers back a step. “Sweet baby Jesus. That odor is certainly pungent.” With her head turned away, she sets the grocery bag on the floor inside the small windowless room and slams the door closed again. She staggers back a few paces and sucks in a deep breath before exhaling it.
Eyes narrowed, her gaze swings toward us. She plants her hands on her hips and says in a no-nonsense tone, “Whatever problems you two are having, get them solved now before someone gets hurt.”
I straighten, as does Daisy.
“I have been hurt!” Noah shouts from the bathroom. “I no longer have a colon!”
Daisy collapses and hangs her head. “I’m sorry, Aunt Marnie. This is all my fault. What I did was childish and irresponsible. I wasn’t thinking about the repercussions.”
“No, you certainly weren’t.” Marnie’s gaze slides over to me. A blond brow lifts.
Apparently, I won’t be getting off scot-free. I’m not even going to try and argue my way out of this one because deep down, I know I’m partially to blame.
“It’s my fault as well,” I pipe up. “I started it.”
When I crashed her date, I never expected the situation to escalate so far out of control. Everything I’ve done to mess with her lately floods back to me, and I realize this is probably more my fault than hers. I’ve screwed with Daisy since the day I met her. Usually, all I get in return is a bit of attitude.
Obviously, that wasn’t the case this time.
Daisy gives me a bit of wide side-eye.
“I love you both.” Aunt Marnie jerks her chin toward the bathroom. “And so does Noah. But you two need to figure out how to coexist peacefully without acting like a pair of unruly children.”
With bright red cheeks, Daisy nods. “We will. I promise.”
“Yeah,” I add. “We’ll do better from now on.”
My need to push Daisy away is what started this ball rolling and ultimately shaped our relationship into what it is now. I did whatever I could to keep her at a safe distance. I guess it’s up to me to rectify the situation moving forward. There are eight months left before we go our separate ways.
Surely, I can behave that long.