Girl, Forgotten (Andrea Oliver 2)

“You act all high and mighty but who knows what you’ve been doing when we’re not around?”

“Nothing,” Emily whispered. “I haven’t done anything.”

Ricky got up and started pacing the room, working herself up more and more with each step. “You think you can make Nardo or Blake take the fall for this? Or Clay? God knows you’d love that, wouldn’t you? Clay’s ignored you for ten years and now you’ve figured out a way to trap him.”

“Stop saying I’m trying to trap someone.” Emily stood up, too. “You know that’s not true.”

“I’m not going to lie for you,” Ricky said. “If your plan is to drag Clay down with you, then you’re on your own. And the boys won’t support you, either.”

“I don’t—” Emily had to stop to swallow. “I don’t want to marry Clay. That’s not why—”

“Bitch,” Ricky spat out the word. And then something like recognition flashed in her eyes. She’d thought she’d figured it out. “You’re going after Nardo, aren’t you?”

“What?”

“You always take the easy path, Emily. You don’t give a shit who gets hurt so long as it’s easy.”

“What?”

“I said you’re fucking easy!” Ricky was so mad that spit came out of her mouth. “I bet your dad’s already worked out a deal with them. Rich people always bail each other out. How much money changed hands, Emily? Or was it entrée into DC society? Maybe your mom will throw a case his way? What kind of bribe did your dad give to ruin Nardo’s life?”

Emily couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “That’s not—no. That’s not going to happen. My parents wouldn’t—”

“You’re such a fucking Pollyanna! Of course they would! You just float along through life with fucking bluebirds on your shoulder, completely oblivious to all the people your parents screw over to keep everything nice and easy for their precious, good little girl!” Ricky looked maniacal. “What’d they say when they found out you’re not their virginal angel anymore?”

Emily opened her mouth to answer, but Ricky beat her to it.

“Let me guess. Daddy glowered and grumbled and Mommy came up with a plan.”

Emily felt the sting of betrayal. Ricky’s guess was only accurate because Emily had shared with her the many times it had happened before.

“You can’t get rid of it, right? Not with your mom on Reagan’s shortlist. That’d give the game away, wouldn’t it?” Ricky gave a bitter laugh. “They’ll probably use you as an example, right? Like some poor, pregnant black girl in the projects should follow the Vaughns’ righteous lead because their spoiled whore of a daughter is in the exact same situation.”

The words stung because they were so close to the truth.

“Brave Emily is pro-life.” Ricky was using the tone they used to mock Franklin’s country club friends. “That’s easy to say when your life comes with a nanny in a million-dollar estate two miles from the beach.”

Emily found her voice. “That’s not fair.”

“You think what’s happening to me and Blake is fair? And now you come along with even worse news?” Ricky demanded. “I’ve got the solution, Emily. This will fix everything! Just find an internship in go fuck yourself!”

The last words echoed in Emily’s ears like a siren. She had seen Ricky furious before. She knew how cold her friend could be. Ricky cut people out of her life like a cancer. And she was doing the same thing to Emily now.

“You stupid bitch,” Ricky muttered. “You’ve destroyed everything.”

“Ricky …” Emily tried, but she could feel the finality of her words. It was over. The clique was gone. Emily’s best friend was gone. She had no one. Nothing.

Except for this thing that was growing inside of her.

“Get out.” Ricky pointed to the door. “Get the fuck out of my house, you stupid slut.”

Emily touched her cheek. She expected to feel tears, but what she felt instead was the heat of shame. She had done this to herself. Ricky was right. She had ruined all of their lives. The clique was over. All she could do now was try not to drag them down alongside her.

“Go!” Ricky screamed.

Emily ran toward the door. She stumbled down the steep stairs. And then she stopped.

Blake was sitting on the bottom stair. He held a cigarette between his fingers. He glanced back at Emily. “I’ll marry you.”