Seething

Lila's blood ran cold as soon as she saw Jane standing on her stoop.

Chloe had come over with the baby because Kevin said he was overwhelmed and needed rest. Alex had shown up unannounced with his parents in tow because Vanessa wanted to get to know 'Eric's baby momma,' while Eric was out of town on business, and Sebastian showed up when Alex texted him.

With so many people under one roof, Vanessa decided to order food and create a last-minute party for this newly formed nucleus of friends and family.

"The question is," Jane spoke angrily opposite of Lila, "what kind of friend are you to have a gathering and not invite me?" she tried to sidestep Lila, but she was too fast for the younger woman. She stood in front of Jane, preventing her entry into her home.

If Jane entered her home, Lila knew disaster would ensue.

"Jane," Lila said in a stern whisper as she held a hand up in front of her former friend. "You need to leave right now. You are not welcome here anymore."

Her former friend snorted. "As if, Lila!"

Not knowing where the strength came from, Lila grabbed Jane's wrist and aggressively spun her around. She began to drag her away from the front door. "You will never again be welcome here," she seethed, "so as of right now you are trespassing on my property."

They were nearly at the end of her property line when Jane managed to pull away.

"What the fuck, Lila?" she spat out loud. Her voice echoing in the dark of night. Lila immediately noticed the sounds of merriment that had filled her home just seconds earlier now began to quiet down. "You can't still be mad at me because of those guys that tried to stick me with their fetuses!"

"Leave!" Lila ordered while pointing an angry finger away from her home. "Now!"

Jane stared at Lila with a frown. "No!" she responded. "Lila, you and me! we're friends! Those two college guys, they just wanted a good time, and I gave it to them," she placed her hand on her chest. "I bet they were already nested by the time I met them! I mean, I can't even remember their names. No way could they have gotten nested by me!"

Lila was about to suggest they walk to Jane's car when she heard the front door open. Both women turned to the sound of the door.

Alex stood in the doorway in a loose black T-shirt and blue jeans.

Jane's eyebrow cocked as she looked from Alex to Lila. "Mmm. Guess I'm not the only one that likes them young," she said before walking back toward Lila's house. She extended a hand toward Alex. "Hi, I'm Lila's friend, Jane."

Lila, who had been right behind Jane grabbed her hand, yanking it away from Alex. She was about to give Jane a piece of her mind, when Alex's broken voice beat her.

"Are you joking?" he asked. "You really don't remember me?"

Lila's heart broke for Alex.

The door opened wider. Sebastian stood at the door staring at Jane with a nervous curiosity."

It was as if at that moment Jane realized who both men were. The woman looked from the men to Lila and released a brittle laugh.

"You know what?" she said as she began to walk away. "I always thought our motto was chicks before dicks, but I guess when you get a deal on damaged goods, the rule doesn't apply."

Lila noticed Vanessa standing by the open window holding Chloe's baby. She was staring out at the ordeal taking place outside.

Lila dared to let hope to enter. Thinking it was over, she almost sighed with relief at the sight of Jane beginning to walk away. She turned, ready to usher Alex into her house when she heard Jane's voice once more.

"And I hope you found the real woman responsible for that atrocity," Jane's voice shattered both the brief silence and Lila's sense of hope. When Lila turned back, she saw Jane pointing at Alex's midsection. "In my opinion though, you should look into a dissolution stat."

With that parting shot, Jane finally walked away.