My Scumbag Ex's Best Friend

A Sudden Switch

Adelaide

I don't know why, but every time I think about what Everett said to me about Rick, my face feels a little hotter.

I'm pretty sure he was just trying to be nice to me, but that doesn't take away the meaning of his words and how they made me feel. Sure, I have Granny's support and she understands why I have to leave Rick, but I also know that a lot of people won't feel the same way.

Which is why I haven't spoken to my parents about it yet, and I'm waiting until after Granny's birthday.

He's not at the breakfast table the next morning, but I try not to make too much of it. What would I have even said to him if he were here? Thank you?

I can't say that.

I do think that he's a surprising character, though. I'm finding it incredible, now that I'm thinking about it, how I never paid much attention to him back in the day. I can recall how Rick used to dress and style his hair, but with Everett, there's nothing, and whenever Rick was around, he was there, too.

It's so strange.

Anice and Veronica come to see me, and we sit in the tea room while I tell them about what happened back home. They're both...shocked, to say the least.

"So, that woman..." Veronica begins before trailing off. "I can't believe it. I'm so sorry, Addy. I thought I was helping you when I chatted with her and told her where we would be."

"You couldn't have known," I assure her.

"She's got a lot of nerve to show up here," Anice claims angrily. "After what she did?"

"What will she do about the pregnancy?" Veronica asks me.

"I don't know," I admit. "And I can't make myself care. That's on her. If she wants to have an abortion or something, why doesn't she? Why does she need my help?"

"Maybe she wants to keep it and claim that it's out of guilt," Anice points out. "Even so, that has nothing to do with you."

"Your ex-husband is a real asshole," Veronica remarks. "I can't believe you were going through all that for so long."

"I was an i***t," I say bitterly as I peer down at my fingernails. "At first, I just shrugged it off and told myself that he was busy. Over time, I got used to it. I kept waiting for things to change, but that never happened."

"You're not an i***t for loving him," Anice assures me, reaching for my hand. "He's the i***t for dispensing someone like you. Trust me, he'll regret this decision with all his heart at some point."

"I think he already is," Veronica states as she tucks a lock of black hair behind her ear. "Maybe that's why that b***h is so desperate to be in your good graces again."

"Maybe she just mentioned being pregnant to, I don't know, garner sympathy or something," Anice says. "How do you even know that's true?"

"Why would she make things worse?" I ask.

We share theories and it ends up being a two-hour-long discussion. The point is that we don't believe that Raquelle is innocent. I heard her that morning. I saw how she was touching him.

Whatever she's planning is going to go downhill because I don't believe her.

We part ways at around lunchtime because Anice promised her parents she'd eat with them and Veronica has a date.

Outside, we hug and hold each other closely, and Veronica says to me, "You're a strong and beautiful woman, Addy. We'll make it through this. You'll see."

I nod, not trusting myself to speak right now.

Just as they're leaving, Everett's car pulls into the driveway, and my heart skips a beat. I feel nervous all of a sudden and I have no idea why.

Maybe I should just head inside and see him there. I don't have to wait for him out here.

But I saw him, and I think that it would be rude to just head inside like I didn't.

Being an over-thinker will be the death of me one day, but that doesn't matter because he's already here. He raises his eyes to mine and I smile. "Good afternoon."

Everett walks right past me with a curt nod of his head, not saying a word in response. I'm so shocked that I look at him over my shoulder.

Oh?

I can't help but feel embarrassed. What have I missed? Hell, maybe he had a long day or something, and I should give him some credit.

I do feel pretty stupid right now, though.

Once inside, I spot him close to Hannah and Granny. Granny and I make eye contact, and she waves me over. He's seated next to his mother, telling them something that makes them both laugh.

So, he's not in a bad mood?

Why then did he—?

"Addy, didn't your friends want to stay for lunch?" Granny asks as she dabs the corners of her teary eyes. She's still laughing.

"Oh, they had other engagements," I answer, stealing another glance at Everett. He's looking at his mother, who's telling him something behind her hand.

"But everything's alright, isn't it?"

I nod just as Everett stands up. Looking back and forth between Granny and his mother, he says, "Well, I'll probably rest a little before dinner."

"You won't have lunch?" his mother asks.

"I already ate."

"But you're going to have dinner with us, won't you?" Granny asks him. "I have to know so we can set the table accordingly."

"I will. Thank you, Ophelia."

"And you, Addy?"

I nod.

Everett walks away without looking at him, and I can't help but feel like this is intentional. He's ignoring me intentionally and I have no idea why.

I don't like how it feels, though.

What's his problem?

I look away from him and make a mental note not to think about him anymore.

I don't know what I was expecting from a man who's best friends with someone like Rick anyway.