Where I really went wrong is when I got out of prison. Eighteen months shacked up with dudes does something to you. I ran into her at the gas station in town and that’s all it took. Five minutes later she was deepthroating my cock parked behind the Frosty Freeze. Classy, I know—but I didn’t want to her take back to my place. At the time I was assuming she didn’t know where I lived, but now I don’t have to wonder anymore. I’m currently crouched down in my own bushes hiding while my sister’s boyfriend, Judah, tries to get rid of her. He’s staying with me while they are visiting for Thanksgiving break.
I saw Mack go up the stairs a few minutes ago as well. She must have heard the commotion, or she saw me jump from a second story window to escape.
I press my thumb and forefinger into the corners of my eyes and try to figure out how I got myself here. Of all the things I deal with on a daily basis, I wish just one of them could go right without turning into some kind of disaster.
A couple minutes later, I see Stacy stomping down the stairs of my apartment. She stalks off to her car, muttering to herself the entire way. I wait until she pulls down the road before hurrying back up the stairs.
I smirk at Mack when I glide into the room as if nothing happened. She shoots me a look of disapproval after I make lewd remark about my discarded guest. I’m actually glad she came over. On top of everything else, we still haven’t figured out how to deal with this Sean situation. After their confrontation at the party, Mack learned Sean kept the old videos he made on his phone and threatened to post them online if she doesn’t get back with him.
Judah stole that phone at the frat party and the fucker is still contacting her. I need to put an end to him. I have enough to worry about.
Reasoning with Mack is kind of like reasoning with Tess. They’re so stubborn and determined to do things on their own that they put themselves in danger. I pull her aside and we step out onto the front balcony.
She pulls her jacket tighter around her and lets out a puff of air. “What’s up with you?” she asks, eyeing me carefully.
I light a cigarette and keep my features neutral. “I’m fine.” I inhale deeply and she rolls her eyes.
“Why is it okay for you to lie to me, but I can’t lie to you?”
I laugh once, smoke curling out of my nose. “Because when you lie, you’re usually putting yourself in a situation you shouldn’t fucking be in. It’s my job to help you make smart choices.”
She laughs loudly and then covers her mouth with her hand. “I’m sorry. That was rude.”
I shrug, flicking my ash over the side railing. “No, I probably deserved that.” I take another drag and she’s still watching me, concern in her eyes.
“Perry, I worry about you too. All the time.”
“It’s not your job to worry about me.”
She steps forward and grabs my arm. “Yes, it is. I love you just as much as you love me. I can’t remember the last time I saw you smile and actually mean it.”
Tess’s face flashes in my mind and I do smile. That quickly fades when I remember the place we’re currently in. I shake my head. “It’s complicated.”
“That’s all you ever say,” she scoffs. “Do you think I can’t handle it? I’ve been through some shit too you know.”
When she turns to walk away from me I pull her back. I flick my cigarette into the yard below and meet her eyes. “Mack, if you knew half the shit I’ve done you’d never look at me the same.”
Her face shifts from irritation to empathy. “That couldn’t be true. You’re the best person I know.”
I’m too exhausted to argue with her, so I just smile and kiss her forehead. I wish that were true.
41
Stalemate
Tess- Now
When I pull into the lot at the emergency room, my hands are still shaking. No matter how I feel about Perry at the moment, nothing could stop me from getting here. News of the accident spread through town fast. I’m harboring a little resentment that I had to hear about it from two ladies having a conversation in the check-out line at the grocery store. He could have called me—at least, that’s what I would’ve done.
When I exit the car, I’m not really paying attention where I’m walking, because I almost run straight into Sloan coming out of the large sliding doors. I huff when I come to a stop, slowly meeting her eyes.
“Of course you’re here.” I angrily readjust the strap of my purse. “I’ll bet he called you, too.”
She picks at her nail polish, not looking at me anymore. “He said you aren’t speaking right now.” She lifts her head and gives half a shrug. “He said if he called you, you probably wouldn’t have answered.”
I roll my eyes. “I’m sure that was the reason.”
I push past her with a wrath I typically keep inside, but right now, I can’t. All I can think about was how fast he so obviously went right back to her. Just like I knew he would. I almost make it to the door, but Sloan grabs my arm.
“It’s not what you think,” she says quickly. I glare at her hand on me and she pulls it back. Even though a million things are running through my mind, I still take the time to notice her engagement ring is still missing.
She folds her hands over each other in front of her as if I’m an idiot.
“I don’t believe you,” I say, my voice clipped. When she starts to open her mouth, I take another step closer, interrupting her. “And to be quite honest, I don’t care at the moment either. You two deserve each other.”
Sloan laughs under her breath. “Why? Because he’s a liar, too?”
“So, he told you why we’re fighting?”
She shakes her head. “No, he didn’t actually. But I can only think of one reason, other than me, for you guys to fight.” She gives me a knowing look. “Perry doesn’t full-on lie, more like he dances around the truth long enough to distract you from actually telling you.”
As much as it pains me to admit—she’s right. Sloan probably knows him just as well as I do whether I like it or not.
I cross my arms, already losing the minimal patience I have left. “I would love to stand out here and have this conversation with you all day, but my primary concern right now is Mack and to make sure that he’s okay. I’m sure that masochist is in there blaming himself once again for something that is completely beyond his control.”
She gives a sad smile. “He is, so be nice.”
“I’m always nice,” I almost growl back at her.
She nods once. “Yep, like I said.” She reaches over and pats my arm before turning to leave. “Go easy on him.”
If Sloan is asking me not to be a dick, it must be pretty bad in there. After taking a deep breath, I walk inside the automatic doors and immediately scan around for him. I don’t have to wonder where he is for too long as I see him coming off the elevator. His eyes are cast to the floor, walking with his hands in his pockets.
“Perry,” I call, making my way toward him.
He stops in his tracks, the dejected smile on his face nearly breaking my heart all over again. I practically fall into his arms when he gets to me, wrapping myself around him tight.