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For several minutes, the table is filled with only the sounds of Leah’s hu at the surfaces of our plates Despite all the noise, I see to push their food around in pretense I shrug and lean forward, scooping another helping ontowhat’s a pretty decent frozen lasagna

"You see her fork out, pointing at Paige

Paige sets hers down carefully, taking tiainst her lips, not that she’s eaten a single bite She places it next to her plate then pushes back froh rooht--her head cocked so the curls in her hair slide down her shoulder

"Wow," she says, her lips wrapping around the ser than the three letters it is "You’re really going to take this thing far, aren’t you?"

Not that anyone was actually eating before, but nobody is chewing now Even Leah has stopped hu?" I ask after a few painful and long seconds of silence as we all watch the shon at the dinner table I feel stupid that I’e’s voice, I shouldn’t be s funny But it’s damn sure uncomfortable

"Oh sweetie You’ve always been the one in control of how far this thing goes," Cee Cee says I watch as both women level one another with similar looks It’s pretty obvious they know each other And it’s pretty obvious they hate each other The only part I’e says, her eyes never leaving Cee Cee’s face I glance at Leah, andher fro her with her new iPod and acco her into the other room I’m left in here, on the set of the Bold and the Beautiful

"Okay, I’ my hands on the table Inoalking to the door She pulls it open, pressing her back against it, her eyes giving Cee Cee a challenge

"You’re going to get a call fro Understand?" Cee Cee says, standing, e until each of them flanks one side of the open door

"Yeah, so I’e asks, and even though there’s a certain swagger to her defiance, I can also see she’s nervous, her fingers rubbing anxiously on the doorknob behind her back

Cee Cee sht chicks only did in teensounds like?

"Thanks for dinner, Houston You round checks on your renters, though Just sayin’," she says, leaving without even acknowledging Leah in the next rooe?" I ask

Her head falls to the side along the door, her gaze onas I’ve known her, she’s never looked nervous--she’s never looked scared She’s wearing both right now

Paige

That was unfair That was so fucking, unbelievably, horribly unfair

Houston is waiting for an answer Hisa beautiful, innocent little girl, but her eyes are on e?" This is the second time he’s said my name like a question

"I’m sorry, Houston, but I can’t stay here any more," I say I shuffle past him up the stairs and close my door, careful not to sla a tantru I’m so rattled--thrown by her level of crazy I don’t knoho told her I was here, but she knew That…all of that…tonight? It was all orchestrated for et to ht now--I need my sister I need to call her We’re broken, but we’re still stronger together

I knew he’d follow There’s a soft knock at my door, and when his eyes ask if he can enter, I nod for him to come in

"Mohonest It’s not the people in the house, though, it’s this ame I’ve been roped into