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“You know exactly what you did.” When her ears turn pink, I put her out of her misery. “Amazing blow job aside, I’m talking about the fact you’re sitting here in my kitchen, drinking my coffee when I never thought you’d do so again. I really missed you.”
She smiles. “I really missed you, too.” But when her smile slowly disappears, and she lowers her eyes, I know what she’s thinking. “Dixon…” She scratches her fingernail over the handle of the mug. “I…how do you know Beth? I mean, Juliet.”
And there it is, the question I’ve been dreading.
When I remain quiet, she presses, “You said you—”
But I interrupt her. “I know what I said.” Reminding myself of why I’m doing this, I begin to spin my web of deceit. “She was my patient.”
“W-What?” Maddy gasps, her mouth hanging open.
“She came to my office, seeking therapy for a problem she has.”
“What problem?”
“I shouldn’t be telling you this due to doctor–patient confidentially, but well…” I massage the back of my neck. “She’s a sex addict.”
Maddy’s mouth drops open even farther. “A what?”
“A sex addict. Juliet is addicted to sex.” Amongst other things.
I can see Maddy’s processing everything I just said, trying to think back to any signs that might have clued her in to her condition. “I don’t know what to say.”
“I know it’s a shock, but I only saw her twice before I referred her to another doctor.”
“Why?”
Keep it together, Dixon. “Because she made it quite clear she was interested in more than just my skills as a doctor.”
Maddy’s jaw clenches. “Thatbitch.”
“You must understand this was before I even knew you existed. So you can imagine my surprise when I discovered you were connected.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Her tone is accusing. If only she knew the whole truth.
“Why do you think I didn’t tell you?” I interlace my fingers on the countertop.
“Well, apart from the fact I’d lose my shit, I know it’s because you’re a good doctor and respected the confidentiality code.”
If only she knew how I disrespected the code over and over again, but I nod. “That’s correct. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, but it was for the greater good.”
When she frowns, I lean forward and stroke her cheek. “Everything I do, I do for you. I do to protect you.” This entire story may be total bullshit, but that’s the God’s honest truth. I’m lying to protect her.
She nods slowly. “It shouldn’t surprise me. I always knew she was sick.”
She really does wear her heart on her sleeve. “Why do you say that?”
When she shuffles in her seat and looks anywhere but at me, I know something is very wrong. “Maddy? Hey, look at me,” I press. Have I slipped up? Can she see through my lies?
When she finally meets my gaze and tears sting her eyes, I begin to panic. My plan was foolproof, but I should have known Madison is no fool.
“Dixon, seeing as you’re being honest, it’s my turn to be honest, too.”
“Okay,” I say apprehensively, my heart rate beginning to rise.
She takes a sip of coffee. “As you know, Beth and I aren’t exactly on friendly terms. There’s a reason for that.”
I can feel it. I know that whatever awful secret she’s about to divulge will make me hate Juliet even more than I already do.
