I stare at him long enough that he pales, and the grin that was on his face fades. Long enough that he looks uncomfortable, and he goddamn better if he’s going to make comments like that. I’m seconds away from hitting him. I don’t know if I should tell him about Julia and me. I don’t want to. But I also need him to understand that his actions affect me. It’s a fifty-fifty chance whether that makes it better or worse. He was there when Julia said that we were together, but I’m not sure that it was registered.
“I love Julia,” I say, letting it hang in the air. “I don’t want her hurt by this. Jane has had enough problems without you making it worse, and she already distrusts me because of you.”
It’s dead silent for a few more moments, and then Kevin starts laughing. So hard that his face goes red and it looks like he’s having trouble breathing. “That’s hilarious. You fell in love with the little girl next door! I never thought that you were that desperate. I mean, you’re the biggest douche I’ve ever met but even I can admit that you’re good looking enough to get your dick wet, you know?”
“You’re on dangerous ground, Kevin.”
“You can’t do shit, asshole,” he yells at me. “I know that Mom and Dad make you let me stay here, and that’s not going to change. And I know that you won’t do anything to piss off the dear old ball-and-chain. I wonder how they would feel if they knew that you were fucking the neighbor’s daughter. It’s a match made in heaven, really. A spineless girl for a spineless boy. You could do so much better. But I suppose she’s cute enough. Hell, if she’s interested, maybe I’ll give her a spin too. I’ve always wanted to compare a mother and a daughter.”
I’ve always heard about people seeing red, but until this moment I’ve never experienced it. But that’s what does it. I swear the world turns crimson, and I grab Kevin. I don’t even realize we’re out of the house until I’m pushing him through the door and out onto the lawn. “Get the fuck out of here. You are not welcome in my home. Do not come back.”
“Mom and Dad might have some things to say about that,” he says from the ground, looking up and smiling.
“When I lay out the entire situation in detail, I’m sure they’ll side with me.” I’m sure they will. I’ve been lenient on Kevin because he’s family, but no more. He needs to take responsibility for his life and his words. Actions have consequences.
Kevin stands and casually pulls out of his phone. He calls a number, and I roll my eyes. He’s probably calling our parents right now. “Hey Jane, thanks for picking up.”
My entire body goes cold. “What the fuck are you doing?”
“Yeah,” he says into the phone. “I just wanted to tell you all the things that Edward has been saying about Julia. Really filthy stuff. No one should be saying that about someone’s daughter, you know?”
The world turns crimson again, and his phone is in my hand. And then it’s on the concrete under my feet, and I bring my heel down on it repeatedly. Kevin is staring at me in shock, and I grab him by the collar. “Let me make myself perfectly fucking clear. You are not welcome on my property. The next time you set foot here, I will call the police and have you forcibly removed. I will not allow you in my life, Julia’s life, or Jane’s life anymore. Now leave.”
He doesn’t move, but he’s gone pale, staring at me like I’m a completely different person.
I shove him away from me and stalk inside the house and grab his keys and throw them at his feet. “Leave. Now. Don’t come back.”
For once in his life, Kevin doesn’t have anything to say. And it’s about time. He picks up the keys off the ground, and it feels like he’s moving in slow motion. He grabs the phone off the ground too but doesn’t say anything. I’m almost shocked that he doesn’t try anything, or that he doesn’t speak. He just gets in his car, not even looking angry, and drives away.
When he’s out of sight, I feel like a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders. It’s been a long time since I’ve had that kind of relief. And I think that it’s been a long time coming with Kevin and me. I should probably call my parents and give them a heads up about everything before he has a chance to himself.
Turning back toward the house, I see Jane. She’s in the window of their living room, watching me. How much did she see? How much did she hear? Will any of that make a difference? I can’t make out her face, because the light is coming from behind her.