Straightening, she brings the cigarette to her mouth and inhales deeply. The smoke escapes her nostrils. “Well, well, well. It looks like you just might have some of me in you. But you’re playing a game you can’t win. You think you know Jett?” She smiles, and I want to cover my ears because I know what she’s going to say will hurt me.

“You think you can actually keep someone like him interested?” My mother shakes her head. “Has he shared you yet, Raven?” She smirks as my brain starts to buzz, like little bees trying to protect me from what’s coming next.

“Because that’s what he likes. He gets off watching, and fucking, other women. It’s what he does. So you thinking you’re special is kind of laughable.” She licks her lips, dropping the cigarette and putting it out with her heel.

“This, my stupid little girl, is why he’ll never leave me. Because I like it too.” She saunters to the door, then turns. “You don’t believe me? Make sure you’re home tonight, my love. You’ll see firsthand exactly who and what Jett Powers really is and what he likes.”

She walks out, her heels clicking on the floor, or maybe it’s my teeth. I’m shaking.

“What the fuck?” I look around as if the room can answer me, give me the strength I need to compete with someone so awful.

“Think, Raven, think,” I say, closing my eyes, then opening them.

I need Jett.

I rush over to my phone and stare at it. What am I going to say? My mom might finally have snapped. You’re engaged to a bad person who says you will want to share me. Oh, and by the way, I’m in love with you in case you didn’t get that last night…

“Oh my God.” I drop my phone and pace the room. Okay, I need to get ready for work. I can do that; then I’ll get some coffee and try to talk to Jett.

“Perfect.” I march toward the bathroom. I’m in and out of the shower, barely even remembering it, my mind is spinning so much. What did she mean about tonight? Are they planning some kind of… what? Orgy? Threesome? I grab on to the sink because I refuse to believe her. He’s not like that. He can’t be. She’s just trying to scare me. I look up at myself in the mirror and stare. Somehow, I look different. I don’t know what it is, but I’m certainly not the same person who showed up a month ago.

Clearing my throat, I straighten and grab some lip gloss. I’m pale now that the horror has worn off, so I apply some light blush… I need to talk to someone.

Cher.

I need her. There’s no way I can handle this alone.