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His eyes hit mine, and for the first time in a while, I have no idea what he’s trying to say without saying it.
“I want in just like you do, Rowan. But it’s easier said than done, right?” I’m being an asshole, but he’s being a hypocrite.
“I’m gonna go, Oaks,” he whispers, moving to kiss my forehead before walking out.
Frustration I don’t understand overtakes me, and my vision grows foggy.
I drop onto the pallet of boxes and cry, not knowing why.Chapter Twenty-FiveOakleyI slam the door when I enter and drop my keys in the bowl by the door. I don’t make it another step before a smiling Marissa pops around the corner, her stupid ponytail bobbing with her head.
“First time you’ve been in late, roomie.” She licks her ice cream spoon, and I shove past her into the kitchen. “Snuck off, did we?”
“Fuck you.” I throw the fridge open and grab a bottle of water.
I go to exit, and she blocks me.
“Did you go for some sexy time? You must be horny all the time with all the eye candy you’re surrounded by day in and day out. Kind of a whore’s job, don’t you think? Bending and flexing and rolling around on the ground with man after man.”
I stare at her, and she smirks, mocking me even though I give her nothing. I go to step past her again, and that’s when I hear his truck coming down the road. I squeeze my eyes shut.
I should have gone straight for my room.
Marissa laughs. “Someone’s in trouble,” she sing-songs.
I turn, gaping at her. She only smiles wider.
“He’s been looking all over for you, popping back every few minutes to see if you’ve made it in yet.”
“And you’re okay with your husband spending all his time searching for me when he could be here with you?”
“It’s his job.” Her voice loses its pep, and her face morphs into a bitch I’ve yet to see. “Making sure you’re safe and where you belong.” She steps closer, and my spine prickles.
How would she know that? He’d have had to share that with her. He’d have had to tell her I was nothing more than the girl he was here to babysit.
It stings more than it should.
“You’re the job he can’t fail, and I’m the woman he fucks, the one he’ll leave with when this is over, so count your hours with him, little Oakley, because they’re limited.” She steps back. “I’ll share for only so long.”
Pain and anger push me forward, and her slow smirk gives me chills.
“You think I want him? You’re wrong. If I had it my way, you both would have been gone the day you showed your fucked up face. Threaten me in my home again, and the only thing that will be limited is your range of motion, bitch. I’ve ignored you for as long as possible, but if you want to be heard, expect me to be louder.” I should shut up, but I don’t. “And, as far as Alec goes … I could have him if I wanted him. All I’d have to do was ask.”
“Hmm.” Her lips twitch before falling flat, dead eyes digging into mine. “Perhaps.” She takes another step back and whispers, “But could you keep him?”
My lungs tighten at her words, my ribs aching from the pressure of air fighting to get through.
Alec storms in and around the corner. Then, he comes to a screeching halt. Literally, his steel-toed boots squeak against the tiles. His eyes slice between the two of us, and slowly, he straightens to his full height.
And, of course, he calls to her first.
She stares, her face completely blank until he calls her name again. This time, she twitches. Then, her face lights up, and she bounces to him, an entirely new mask in place.
I stand there, watching as he cautiously lifts his arms out for her to step against him. His hand comes down against her back, his eyes hitting mine over her head.
Apprehension is swimming in his stare, but the anger does well to bury it.
After work, I headed for Havannah’s, desperate for someone to talk to, but of course, she wasn’t home and didn’t answer when I tried her cell, so I drove around for a while – anything to stay away from home.
He doesn’t need to know that though.
I keep my eyes locked on his, daring him to question me about my whereabouts with her in his arms.
He doesn’t. He lets me pass them by.
And I hate that I wish he hadn’t.It’s well past midnight before I brave exiting my room again. I sneak into the kitchen to grab a snack, ending up with Ritz and string cheese. Then, I decide to sit on my couch for a little while, something I haven’t done since Marissa showed up, since the day I found out my dad had died.
