A Twist of Fate Read Free Page B

vomit
burning up my esophagus and, when Edwin stood up, I was sure there was going to
be a blood bath.
    "Don't cross me, brother, or my fist will be in your
mouth," Edwin warned.
    I swallowed back the vomit pooling in the back of my throat
and held my freezing palm against Cam's burning chest to pull him back against
me.
    "Come on, Eddie.  It's not worth it," Aliah said,
as Hunter grabbed onto Edwin's arm.  Even he could sense the pure hatred
filtering between the two of them.
    “Try it,” was all Cameron said, but he struck a chord with
Edwin.
    When Edwin leaned forward, I reached a flat hand out and
pressed it against his solid chest to keep him back.  After scowling at him, I
glanced at Cameron, then back to Edwin again.
    "It's time for you to go," I said.
    "I'm not going anywhere, until I'm done fixing this
pretty boy's face," he threatened.
    "Right now!" Cameron hollered, calling him on.
    "Hunter, you've got to stop them," Aliah wailed,
noting the severity of the situation.
    I fought to keep them apart, but Edwin reached around me and
shoved Cam’s shoulder.  Cam instantly responded with a counter and drove Edwin
against the back of the tub.  Jessica looked like she had been enjoying a good
soap opera, until Edwin's arm flailed backwards and hit her square in the face.
    Jessica leapt out of the tub, her hand covering her battered
cheek.  "Thanks for fucking with my vacation!" she screeched.  Then she
spun around and ran inside, near tears.
    Aliah shook her head, disappointedly.  “Real smooth, guys.”
    Edwin ignored Cameron just long enough to show his regret, then
he narrowed his eyes at him again.  "Yup, it's definitely worth it,” he decided
aloud.  “Get out of my way," he warned, as he raised a determined brow and
drew his elbow back to wind up for a punch.
    Cameron put his fists up ready for the challenge as though I
wasn't even standing in between them, freezing my ass off.  I threw my hands
down in manic frustration.
    "I've had enough!" I screamed.  "I'm
leaving.  You two can do whatever the fuck you want.  I'm over it!"
    I climbed out of the tub and stalked toward the room, hands
clenched in fists, mad as hell.  I could see Maddie sitting on the bed talking
to Jessica as clear as day.  Thinking Jessica must have left the patio door
open, I made a pass for it, and my face planted firmly against the cold, clear glass.

CHAPTER TWO
    I WAS ALREADY MADDER than a wet hen,
but now, after smashing my face off the glass door, I was really freaking upset. 
I couldn't tell what I wanted to do first: scream, cry or vomit.  My little
episode seemed to get everyone's attention too, and now they were all chuckling
behind my back.
    "Yeah, real funny, assholes," I hollered, scowling
harshly at them before letting myself in the room.
    Maddie came running to me with a towel and I didn't realize
why, until she pinched my nose with it.  "Are you okay?" she asked.
    "No, I'm not okay."  With my eyes closed, sadness
choked me and tears flooded beneath my eyelids.
    Maddie tucked my hair back with one hand and pinched my nose
with the other.
    When I finally caught my breath, between sobs, I explained it
to her.  "Cam and Edwin are being dinks and Aliah wasn't exactly
discouraging it.  Nobody gives two shits about what I want," I cried.
    "That's not true," Maddie stated softly, but it
was no use.
    I had to get out of there.  I was sick and cold and upset. 
"I really can't deal with this.  I'm going home," I whimpered.  I
started to pack up the few things I had strewn around the room, as I held the white,
blood-stained towel to my nose.
    Edwin was already in the room, standing there silently,
water dripping from his soaking wet shorts.  Maddie excused herself to the
bathroom to escape from the menacing silence.  Jessica had already slunk out of
the room, hoping to stay out of it.  Edwin held his gaze on me, willing me to
look up at him.
    "I'm sorry, Abs.  I promised.  I won't let it happen
again."  He