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I moved close to Marcus. Alexis eyed him nervously, like he was about to bust out some dangerous move. That, or his purple paisley shirt made her worried.
“Any chanceIcan sell that back to you?” I whispered, pointing at the bottle, as Patrick sat down and began efficiently stacking bills.
Marcus smiled at me. “You got it. Keep a few to taper off.”
“Wait ’til after finals,” Amelia added, popping a piece of gum in her mouth.
I crossed my arms. “I want to be done. This has gone on too long.”
“And I’m recommending that you wait,” she said. “For my sake as well as yours. The last thing I need is you going through withdrawal during finals week.”
“Thanks,” I said drily. “It’s not like you’re home much anyway.”
“She’s giving you good advice, Lady Christina.” Marcus leaned against the wall. “You should listen to her.”
Alexis looped her arm through mine and hugged me to her side. Sydney stood by the table, clutching her elbows, looking wet and bedraggled and very alone. I felt a pang. Part of me wanted to dismiss her betrayal and hug her all better the way I used to when she had a bad night. Like she was a wayward kid who just needed love — my love — and didn’t know any better.
Patrick’s voice echoed in my mind:That’s not a friend, that’s a pet.
It was very quiet in the kitchen. The only sound was the soft shuffle of bills. Everyone’s eyes were glued to Patrick as he counted the money he’d paid me. Seeing it all laid out, watching him handle those bills with the same fingers that had been everywhere on my skin and inside me — awareness kicked in of how exposed this moment was. I pressed my palms to my burning cheeks.
Patrick slapped the last bill on its stack and looked up at me. “It’s forty dollars short.”
“Sydney?”
“I bought a couple things,” she murmured.
The room went very still.
I could insist she return what she’d taken. I probably should. But I wanted to end the cycle of paying and owing. I wanted to be done with all of this — Sydney, Dexter, the money — and move forward.
I wanted a second chance.
“Fine,” I said. “We’re done. You can go.”
Patrick made a strangled noise.
“What?” I said.
He surged to his feet and slammed his hands on the table, making the bills jump. His cool, collected exterior was about to crack, and I didn’t know who’d be left standing once the wolf jumped out.
““What do you mean, ‘what?’Christina, are you fucking kidding me? Make her pay it back. She’s done nothing but take, take, take. Has she said a single word to apologize? No. She only feels sorry for herself.”
“I’m right here!” Sydney snapped.
Patrick braced his palms on the table, enunciating with ice-cold precision. “I am not letting my hard-earned money stay in her hands.”
“Oh, it’syourmoney?” I retorted.
The kitchen fell dead silent. Marcus let out a low chuckle, and Amelia whacked him across the midriff. Alexis squeezed my arm.
Patrick let out a breath, easing his grip. “No, it’s yours.”
“Thank you. I’m glad we agree on that.” I turned to Sydney. “Okay, you can leave now.”
“Just like that?” Her face crumpled.
“Syd…”
