“We need to talk.” He pointed to the chair. “Have a seat.” When I sat in a different chair, he laughed.
“Do you think I’m funny?”
He leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. “No, Rebel. I don’t, but I do think you’re behaving childishly.”
“Fuck you.” I stood and he did too.
“We’re going to talk, one way or another.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“It means you are going to sit down, shut up, and listen to what I have to say.”
“Or?”
“Or you can leave.”
“Perfect. That’s exactly what I intend to do.” I stalked back to the master bedroom, shoved my photos in one of my boxes, picked it up, and carried it into the kitchen.
“What are you doing?”
“Leaving, like you told me I had to.”
“You can’t.”
“Watch me.” I stalked back into the bedroom, grabbed the other box, and carried it out. “Please give me my car keys.”
Edge shook his head. “You can’t leave until after the hearing.”
“Tell you what. I’ll drive from here straight to the sheriff’s office. If he wants to put me in jail until the hearing, I’m fine with that.”
“You’d rather go back to jail than talk to me?”
“Damn straight. It’s what I’ve wanted since you bailed me out.”
I watched as he clenched and unclenched his fists and then reached behind and rubbed the back of his neck. “Please, Rebel. Let’s just talk. I’m begging here.”
I set the box on the floor and folded my arms.
“Can we sit? Please?”
“Sure.” I walked back over to the chair I’d been sitting in before, plopped myself down, and waited.
“Somehow, things went terribly wrong last night. I’m still unsure of exactly what I said that set you off, but whatever it was, I’m sorry.”
He looked at me as though he expected me to say something. I had nothing.
“Was it that I suggested we go away?”
I looked out the window. “In part.”
“Explain why.”
“You may be independently wealthy, Edge, but after everything I’ve told you, how could you assume I was?”
“I didn’t assume anything of the kind. I’ve told you time and time again that the money doesn’t matter to me. I thought that, after what you’ve been through, you’d appreciate getting away for a while.”
“Just like that? The murder charge is dropped, and suddenly, I go ‘back’ to living my fancy life?”