The Road to Rose Bend, Naima Simone [jenna bush book club .TXT] 📗

Releasing Leo, Jenna bestowed more hugs on Cecille, the clique behind her following suit. But when Jenna eventually turned to Sydney, her mouth pulled into a tight and utterly fake smile. No hug for her.

A shame.

“Sydney.” Jenna treated Sydney to a not-so-subtle up and down look that clearly relayed she found Sydney lacking. “How nice to see you again.”

“Likewise,” Sydney replied. Yeah, she wasn’t subjecting herself to this high school, mean girl bullshit. “I’ll be right back,” she said to Leo and Cecille. “Nature calls.”

Leo coughed into her fist, and Sydney could’ve sworn it sounded a lot like, “Liar.” Grinning, Sydney wiggled her fingers and walked off.

But not before Jenna called out, “I’ll go with you. No woman should be alone among this...riffraff.”

“That’s not necessary.”

“Oh, I insist,” Jenna cooed.

Annoyed at both the other woman’s doggedness and her snobby attitude toward the people gathered, she didn’t say anything, but stalked off. Hoping she could lose Jenna in the crowd.

But no such luck. Jenna sidled up beside Sydney, matching her step for step and sticking beside her. Like a freaking pit bull with lockjaw.

Shit.

Sydney didn’t attempt to convince herself that Jenna gave one bit about her welfare. Accompanying her had a purpose. But damn if she would ask. Nope, if Jenna was going to get her petty on, it would have to be without Sydney’s help.

“So, how’re you feeling, Sydney?”

She deserved an award for containing her eye roll. “Fine, thanks.”

After several more moments, Jenna tried again. “Hmm. I heard you’re having a girl. I guess congratulations are in order. Or are they?”

Heat surged up her from her stomach, scalding her chest and throat. Sydney jerked to a stop, fixing her expression into what she hoped was an aloof mask, one that didn’t betray the anger simmering inside her.

No way in hell am I giving this chick the satisfaction of seeing she’s getting to me.

“You obviously have something you’re dying to say to me, so just say it,” she ordered, her tone almost pleasant. Almost. Nothing she could do about the thread of Bitch, please it contained.

Jenna halted as well, her eyes widening in an innocence that didn’t fit her. At all. “I don’t know what you mean. I was just commenting on the fact that the news might not be as joyous as it usually would be considering the father isn’t here to share it with you.”

“Funny, but no matter how I look at it, I can’t seem to find how any of my business is yours. Hold on a sec.” Sydney rolled onto the balls of her feet, propped the side of her hand over her eyes and made a show of scoping out the open, wide field of people. “Nope.” She shook her head, spreading her hands wide. “Still can’t find it.”

The faux pleasant smile dropped from Jenna’s face, and her mouth twisted into a sneer, her eyes narrowing into angry slits. Aaand there we are, ladies and gentlemen, the real Jenna Landon.

“You always had such a smart mouth and acted like you were more than what you were. What you still are. An embarrassment. You think we all don’t know the truth? That Cole took pity on you and convinced his family to give you a home out of charity because your own family doesn’t want you under their roof? You might act high and mighty, but you’re not. You’re just a charity case.”

Her words jabbed Sydney’s heart, her self-esteem...her soul. Because though Jenna had the story wrong—if it were up to Cole, his family wouldn’t have leased her one of the guest cottages—it still contained elements of truth. Enough that she quietly bled. She did embarrass her family. They didn’t want her here—her mother had practically begged her to return to Charlotte.

She shoved the hurt and shame down; she’d excavate them later. But right now? Jenna wouldn’t ever get the satisfaction of witnessing her poisonous darts striking a direct hit.

Jenna would never get to watch Sydney crumble.

Even if Sydney silently shook.

“What did I ever do to you?” Sydney murmured, the question escaping her almost without her permission. She hadn’t planned on asking it. Hadn’t planned on delving into the past. But apparently, her mouth had different ideas.

Jenna stared at her, mouth twisted into a sneer. “What are you talking about?”

“For a while there, we were actually friends. Except for Leo, you were the person I was closest to. What happened between freshman and sophomore year that made you hate me so much that you used every opportunity you could to tear me down and make me feel like shit? What made you hate everyone so much?”

Something flashed in Jenna’s gaze—something dark, bleak even. But then, her eyes narrowed, and those lips that could actually form a very pretty smile turned up in a deviant version of it. “Hate everyone?” she repeated with a dismissive scoff. “Dramatic much, Sydney? And as for our so-called friendship, what can I say? It’s not a mystery. For a year, I was into charity. Just like the Dennisons. But like I did, they’ll discover you aren’t worth it.”

That shouldn’t have hurt. Sydney recognized the gibe for what it was—a poisoned dart aimed straight at her confidence. But it struck true with deadly accuracy.

Still... Damned if she’d allow Jenna to see it.

Sydney shook her head. “I almost feel sorry for you, Jenna. Your life must be damn boring and pitiful if you’re consumed with mine. Because again. None of. Your. Business.”

“Who you hurt with your ‘poor abandoned single mother’ routine is my business,” Jenna snapped, leaning closer until her face hovered inches from Sydney’s.

You’re pregnant. You can’t lay her ass out because you’re pregnant.

The warning boomed in her head, and Sydney drew in a deep breath, trying to grab her fury and wrestle it into submission. Besides, Jenna wanted her reaction. She sought to put Sydney “in her place.”

Like father, like daughter.

Well, fuck that.

“I’m not going to allow you to manipulate the people who are in my town. And