A flicker of surprise in his eyes is instantly replaced by a hard stare. “He’s not as good as you think he is, Alicia. He’s done bad things in the past.”
“Like what?” I tilt my head in mocking shock. “Selling weed so he can buy food and school supplies for his sister? Or so he can put money toward her college fund? Yeah, only a bad person would do that.”
He looks taken aback. “He has a sister?”
“He does. But looks like he hid it well from you—a smart choice if you ask me.”
His nostrils flare. I’m sure he has a lot to say, but he’s interrupted by a soft knock on the door and Mom popping her head in without a reply. She’s holding a tray with tons of food. “Do you want some dinner, honey?”
I’m about to refuse when I see her hopeful eyes. I’ve caused enough stress to my family, so I soften in an instant. “Yes, Mom. That’d be great. Thank you.”
Her eyes brighten, and she hurries inside to put the tray on the nightstand.
Justin stands and goes to leave. But before he does, he grabs the edge of the door and turns toward me. “He’s not the man I’d choose for my little sister, but if he’s who you choose, I will not stand in your way. Doesn’t mean I won’t torment the shit out of him at family dinners.”
My lips twitch. “I wish it was that easy, Justin.” I shake my head in sorrow. “I don’t think I can overcome this… knowledge this time.”
“I hope you will,” he replies sadly and leaves.
I hope so too, but I don’t count on it.
It was too good to be true. He was too perfect, and my life is anything but. No matter how perfect my life looks from the outside, my soul is in shambles.
ChapterTwenty-Five
Archie. At the same bar where the truth has a tendency to be revealed.
This small, charming town is growing on me,I think, as I take a seat at the local bar, Cat and Stallion. A bartender with a generous bust leans on the counter, her eyes are half-hooded, her whole presence suggestive.
“Whatcha want?” she asks, her voice seductive.
“Besides a drink?” I quirk a brow, chewing on the toothpick I’ve had in my mouth for the past hour. It’s a little habit of mine I picked up to annoy my father.
“Well, if that’s what your heart desires.” She smiles playfully, and I shoot her back a fake smile. We aren’t talking about my heart. My heart hasn’t desired anything for years. The other part of me hasn’t gone on a hiatus, thank fuck.
“Bourbon. Double. Neat,” I answer, and she assesses me from head to toe. I’m sure she’d love to look farther down, but I’m hiding behind the bar.
“Coming right up.” She walks away, swaying her hips suggestively. It might have interested me other times, but not today. Today is one of my bad days, and I just need a fucking drink.
A minute later, she places a glass in front of me. “I’m leaving at midnight. Will be happy to grab a bite together.” She winks and walks away.
I wish I met her any other time. Such a pity to waste such a gorgeous woman on such a bad day. I throw the drink back and gesture for her to make me another one. Her brows go up, and she brings me another.
“Bad day?” she asks, reading my mind, and I nod. She doesn’t offer anything else but leaves the bottle on the counter.
A few minutes later, someone takes a seat next to me. I’m not interested in conversations as drunk people love to do in bars, so I keep my eyes on my glass.
“Usual, Rony.” Then he says with a deep sigh, “Please.”
“You got a littletoo usualhere, Mark. What about all those people you need to be sober to save?” The pretty bartender, Rony, stands in front of the new guy with her hands on her hips.
I know she’s asking the man next to me, but it hits too close to home, and I flinch inwardly.
“I’m not here to be chastised, Rony.” He spreads his palm on the counter. “Just please give me a drink.”
“Can’t do, big guy.” She shrugs a little too cheerfully. “Your friend over there…” She gestures at me. “Got the last one.”
“How can you be out of fucking bourbon at a bar?” He grunts, raking his other hand through his messy hair. He looks like a clusterfuck if you ask me.
