Page 64 of In Too Deep

“Excuse me?” she derides.

“Spencer.” The color drains from her face, guilt seeping from her eyes. “He told me everything, but I want to hear it from you. I want to hear from my best friend why she thought it was acceptable to lie to me.”

“I never lied to you,” she replies, breathless.

Near delirium from everything, I laugh. “Omitting the truth is still a lie, Lori. I know your moral compass is a little skewed, but surely even you can grasp that.”

My words are cruel and uncalled for, and I’m not surprised when her features twist with anger. “Does that mean you finally told him the truth about what happened with Lawrence?”

It’s a fair question, especially after the things I’ve said to her, but it still stings.

“He knows. Things are over between us,” I tell her, tears threatening to spill as my chin quivers.

When I hiccup a sob, concern fills her face. “Oh, Cat…I’m so sorry.”

She reaches out for me, but I recoil from her touch, not wanting her to comfort me. I need to hold on to my fury.

“Oh yeah, I bet you are. He didn’t end things because of Lawrence, he ended them because of you.”

She shakes her head, her brow knitting with confusion. “Me? What are you talking about?”

“Just stop, Lori. You know Spencer has feelings for you. I think he may even be in love with you. The poor guy. I guess he hasn’t realized yet you’re not capable of loving someone. He doesn’t know he’s been caught in the black widow’s web.” I’m being downright awful, knowing in my heart she doesn’t deserve it. It’s low for me to use her past against her this way, I don’t know who I even am right now, but I can’t stop. “Tell me, were you sleeping with him this entire time?”

Her head jerks back in surprise, her mouth twisting as she shakes it. “I’m going to pretend this entire conversation never happened. I think you should go. We can talk once you’ve calmed down.”

My heart is breaking, but I stand firm in my anger. “Oh, don’t worry, I’m leaving. But we won’t be talking about this later. Or ever, for that matter.”

With a huff, I spin on my heel and rush to my car. Once I’m in the driver’s seat, I notice Lori still standing on her front porch watching me. She hugs herself, meeting my gaze with a pleading in her eyes, and it feels like my chest is being ripped open as I pull away.

39

Lawrence

My back strains as I unload the boxes of flooring from the truck, but I welcome the distraction from the heartbreak that’s been dominating my thoughts for days. Those last words Cat said to me have been haunting me day and night. I want to believe she didn’t mean it, that she was only trying to push me away, but it hasn’t done anything to dull the pain.

“What are you doing?” my mother asks, her voice scolding as she walks toward me. “You shouldn’t be unloading that stuff by yourself. Joe can help you with that in the morning.”

“It’s fine, Ma. I’m almost done, then I’ll head home.”

She steps in front of me as I turn to grab another box from the truck, placing her hands on my arms as her prying eyes find mine. “I wish you’d talk to me. I know something is going on with you. You’ve been a shell of yourself for days now.”

“I told you, I’m fine.” I give her a smile that’s as reassuring as I can manage, then place a quick kiss on her cheek before stepping around her.

“It’s that girl, isn’t it? I saw the way you were looking at her the other day.”

I groan, glancing over my shoulder at her as I reach for a box. “Cat. Her name is Cat. You know this, and she’s a woman now.”

My heart clenches as an image of Cat pops into my head, the memory of how good her bare skin felt on mine tormenting me. As agonizing as it is knowing I’ll never experience that again, I still don’t regret it.

“Who cares what her name is?” she snaps as I remove more hardwood from the truck. “To me, she’s the girl who caused you so much sorrow, and it looks like she’s back at it. Please tell me you aren’t getting mixed up with her again. I saw that handsome boy she had on her arm. Believe me when I tell you it’s best if you leave her alone.”

I drop the package from my hands and turn to face her. “Ma, I love you, but please let me unload these boxes in peace. It’s late anyway, you should get home. I won’t be here that much longer. I’ll be fine alone.”

Her hand lands on her hip as she studies me. “Fine. Have it your way. I’ll get out of your hair.”

With a huff, she heads for the door, and guilt gnaws at me as I call after her. “I love you, Ma.”

“Uh huh, I love you too.”

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