Propped against the entry cabinet, I stayed still for a long stretch before my phone rang.
Chase’s furious voice crashed into my ear.
“Astraea, if you’re not well, go see someone. Zaria kindly called to ask if you got home, and you dared call her some trashy temptress? You even know she has a weak heart?”
I didn’t answer him. I only said, “Where are you right now?”
He froze for a couple of seconds, then snapped with a mix of shame and anger, “You’re at it again, huh? I already said, I didn’t pick you up because I had extra work at the clinic. You want me to ditch patients for you? How old are you? Can’t you think straight? Stop nagging like some cranky aunt every day. Everything I do, who do you think it helps?”
His annoyance hit its height.
“I’ve repeated this so many times. There’s nothing going on between Zaria and me. Your thoughts are filthy; you twist everything into something dirty. You won’t stop until I admit I slept with her. Is that what you want? Pathetic and clueless, who besides me would even look at you!”
“Because you chose to throw one of your tantrums, I had to stay at the clinic all night soothing Zaria. Think about how you act.”