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Without waiting for his response, I stalked inside and made my way to Skylar’s room. I had something I needed to discuss with Lily about Skylar’s recovery, and she’d taken off before I could do that.
By the time I reached my destination, Skylar and Lily were deep in conversation.
“What’s Linc done now?” Skylar asked, her eyes alight in a way they only seemed to be these days when Lily was around.
“Ugh, he keeps coming over to my place even though I’ve asked him not to. He’s doing my head in.”
“Don’t let him in, babe.”
“I haven’t been, but this morning he let himself in with the key I didn’t know he still had.”
“Oh God, you need to get that key off him or get the locks changed.”
Lily nodded. “I’m getting the locks changed. I just have to wait until my pay comes in on Thursday. Honestly, though, it’s a freaking expense I don’t need.”
“Has King paid you yet?”
“Yes, but I’ve put that money aside to pay for Zara’s braces. I’ll just wait until I get paid later this week.”
“Do you want me to hit King up for more cash?”
“No! He already paid me way more than he should have. You know, for a grumpy guy, I think your brother has a soft side under all that bullshit he’s got going on. I’ve never come across a man who looks after his family the way he looks after you.”
“Shit, you’re not into him, are you?”
“I’m not gonna lie, he’s got the best ass I’ve ever seen, but I don’t have time in my life for a man. The last time I dated, it distracted me from my kids, and I promised myself I wouldn’t do that again.”
I decided not to interrupt them, and instead, put the peppermint oil in my office before going back to Kick. As I passed Skylar’s room on the way back outside and heard them laughing, I was reminded again that not fucking Lily was the best decision I’d made since I’d decided to hire her. Skylar needed the friendship more than I needed to get laid. But that ex of hers needed to be pulled into line.
31
Lily
* * *
“Mum, I’m on my way now. I’m sorry I’m running late, but I got tied up at the bank talking to the guy about consolidating my credit card debt.”
My day off that was supposed to be relaxing had turned into a big fat mess of stuff not going right after I’d left Skylar. To say I felt a little frazzled was an understatement. Especially after Linc had called and asked me if I’d go out with him and the kids for a family dinner on Saturday night. I didn’t know where he was going with this, but it didn’t feel like anywhere good. If I said no, the kids would get upset because they loved us all being together. If I said yes, it could give Linc the wrong idea. Why was there no manual for divorced couples to consult in times like this? There freaking needed to be one.
“Darling, don’t stress and don’t speed. You know my blood pressure goes through the roof when I think you’re speeding.”
“Mum, you have low blood pressure.” Jesus, my mother was a drama queen at times.
“Well, Lily, I can assure you it is high when you put me under pressure.”
“Fuck, Mum, how am I putting you under pressure? I’m not speeding. I promise.” I tacked the promise bit on the end there because she liked it when I made her promises. She didn’t much care if they were broken; she just liked to think people were working hard for her benefit. My mother liked attention. I still wasn’t convinced I actually came from her.
“Please don’t swear. You know I don’t like it.”
I’d had enough of this conversation. We weren’t getting anywhere with it. “I gotta go. The cops are probably out doing random checks on people using their mobiles while driving, so I better hang up before they catch me.”
“Oh my goodness, why aren’t you using your hands-free?”
I was, but I liked to freak her out sometimes. “Shit, Ma, I see a cop. Hanging up now.”
By the time I got home, she may have had a stroke from her high blood pressure.
I was the worst daughter.
