One of Us Is Dead

by Jeneva Rose

I placed my hand against my chest and made my face sympathetic. It was my least favorite facial expression.

“I don’t want to be the bad guy here.” Yes, I do

I, on the other hand, always believed there was another option on the table. Forgive, forget, or fucking never let it go.

Fear makes people crazy. Insecurity makes them crazier.

People that get their way think they’re the ones in control. But the ones that give are the ones that rule. It’s not the politician in office, but the donor behind the check that wields the sword.

The truth is, I’d rather be dead than poor, and the easiest way to stay rich is to stay powerful.

Little Miss Country sure put the pathetic in sympathetic. How dare she not stand behind her man? Bryce did nothing wrong. It’s not his fault Shannon is like a case of herpes: hard to treat and never truly goes away. The only way he’ll ever get rid of Shannon is via a death certificate.

I dropped my mouth open, acting as though I was appalled by her words, but really, I was rather enjoying myself. I thought I’d have to do so much more to get Shannon out of our group, but here she was, committing social suicide.

Bryce was off to the side like a true politician—causes a commotion and then just watches the chaos unfold, keeping his hands clean while everyone else got dirty.

Women weren’t meant to be quiet.

“Man bashing. There’s always time for that.”

I could have spoken to her about it, explained how she hurt me, but where was the fun in that? Forgiveness is boring, but revenge . . . now, that’s a real thrill! Betray me once, and I will bury you, one shovel of dirt at a time.

He wouldn’t take care of it. I would take care of it. I couldn’t trust a man to do a woman’s job.