If Only

Chapter Forty-Four: Ultimatum

Jared

I watch Jade stride towards the minivan. With each step, she increases the distance between us, and I can sense the cool wind sweeping across my bare upper body, sending a slight shiver down my spine.

Kiera just wouldn't stop shrieking in the water when Dave tries to get physical with her. He takes her by the shoulders, playfully dragging her through the water, and she lets out a loud noise, as if she's making fun or, I don't know, as if she's being murdered.

A few minutes have passed, and I don't know what's taking Jade too long. Dave and Kiera decided to take a break from swimming and joined us by the bank.

Dave glanced around, noticing Jade was nowhere in sight. He made a clicking noise with his tongue.

"So, where's the princess this time?"

"Fuck off..." I dismissed him, to which he snickered in response.

However, Natalie seized the opportunity of the limelight being on Jade to speak her mind.

"Yeah, Jared, where's the princess. I thought she was going to join the rats?" she says with distaste evident in her voice.

"Fuck off, Nat..." I spat out the same kind of venom she uses when speaking about Jade. I understand that her father may have been a jerk to her, but she has no right to speak of her like that. Whatever Jade's father had done to her is not her fault.

"Come on, Nat... don't be like that. It's nice to have Jade around," Kiera chimed in as she put on her shirt, soaking it.

Natalie scoffed at the reply and began throwing bitter comments at Kiera.

"Oh, come on, Kiera. What'd she feed you this time? Did she invite you into her castle to sew her dresses?"

Despite Kiera's tough appearance, her shoulders actually slumped at Natalie's bitter words.

"Why do you have to be such a bitch when it comes to Jade, huh? I mean, we're here... why not let it out? What'd she do to you?" I directed my attention to Natalie, my voice firm.

"Oof, now this is getting saucy..." Dave joined in, and I shot him a death glare. He shouldn't add more fuel to this already tense situation. Natalie's anger is burning enough, and I just wanted to reach a conclusion where she damn well apologizes to Jade because that's what Jade deserves. Fucking respect. The air thickened with tension as I awaited Natalie's response, determined to put an end to this unnecessary hostility.

"Well, this is new," Natalie responds. Her voice remains calm and challenging, but she knows damn well I don't settle when I don't get what I damn well want.

"Who are we kidding, Jared? You know what? You're actually the last person I ever expected to act like this. What? She gives you attention, and you've fallen head over heels? What are you, a goddamn teenager?"

"Nat..." Dave gives a warning, though it was meant to be playful, the tension could be cut like paper.

"Or is this some kind of pity party you're trying to pull off since grandpa daddy died, and you're up to the rescue in the bedroom?" Natalie's words cut through the air, leaving an uncomfortable silence in their wake. The tension escalated, and I could feel the need to address the situation before it got completely out of hand.

"Shut the fuck up, Nat!" I snapped, my patience wearing thin.

My blood boiled as Natalie's words hit a nerve. "You have no right to bring up personal matters like that. Jade deserves respect, and your constant hostility is unwarranted. She's been through enough shit already. She's mourning. What the fuck's your problem?"