Page 48 of The Version You Hide

“No. That’s not what…”

I ignore his attempts to defend himself, cutting him off before he has a chance to spin me another story. “You neglected to tell me major details about yourself and your family. I don’t even know you.”

“Mackenzie, I can explain.”

“Is that why you said this dress was perfect?” I hate that my eyes are stinging with tears.

I am not this girl. I’m not.

He drops his hands to his sides. “What?”

“Because you knew your parents would look down on me in it? Because it’s not the kind of dress that Madison would wear?”

His eyebrows draw up in surprise at my question. “Madison?”

“Yeah.” I nod. “I had a lovely chat with your ex.”

“You don’t understand.” He shakes his head, his hand coming up to pinch the bridge of his nose.

“No. You don’t understand. I am not ashamed of this dress or the person wearing it, but I won’t stand here and let you use me in some ploy to piss your parents off.” I point an accusatory finger in his direction. “You’re the one that should be ashamed.”

I turn away from him and begin marching down the ridiculously long driveway.

His voice follows me. “You can’t leave like this, Kenz. Come on. I’ll take you home.”

“I can find my own way home.” Even as I say this, I know it’s next to impossible.

I could call Kristen or Henley, but the thought of being such a burden to them when they’ve already done so much for me has me rethinking my options. I wonder how long it would take for me to get a bus out of here.

I’m probably not even halfway down the driveway before grasping the fact that I seriously underestimated its length, but it’s not until I make it to the tall metal gates another ten minutes later that I realise my mistake.

The fence around the property is ten foot high and appears to be fitted with some sort of security system I’m not familiar with. There’s no way out of here without being able to open that gate and I don’t know the code. I should have paid more attention when Dylan was keying it in instead of gaping at him like some naïve loser.

I wrap my arms around myself and trudge down a small, pebbled path that leads to a gazebo. If I wasn’t so pissed off, I might be able to appreciate the gorgeous floral vines that wind their way around each post or the fairy lights that give it a warm, whimsical glow. Releasing a long breath, I slump onto the swinging seat in the centre of it.

A moment later a set of headlights are making their way toward me, the familiar chug of a struggling engine drawing nearer.

Chapter 16

DYLAN

I step out of the car, closing the door as softly as I can. Mackenzie sits on the swing in the gazebo, wearing her sadness like a second skin. I hate that I’m the one that’s made her feel this way. I feel awful.

She doesn’t look up as I approach, and I can’t say I blame her. It appears to her that I’ve mislead her, and I guess to an extent, that’s exactly what I’ve done.

I haven’t lied to her. Not once. But I have omitted things from conversations with her. Things that I haven’t told any of my friends in Cliff Haven yet. The truth is, if I could trust anyone with the sordid details of my life, that person is probably Mackenzie.

I move closer to the gazebo, hands shoved deep into the pockets of my suit pants. Stopping at the entrance, I lean up against the post.

“What exactly happened, Kenz?” I dare to ask. “What did Madison tell you?”

Knowing Madison, it can’t have been anything good.

“Oh, not much,” she answers spitefully, the hurt in her light blue eyes sending shockwaves to my heart. “She just accused me of being the reason you’re abandoning the hotel industry. Oh, and she may have mentioned you’re a major player with party boy tendencies. Not that any of that should matter to me, seeing how our relationship is fake and all.”

“Fake?”

We may have been putting on a show for the benefit of my parents tonight, but nothing about any of this feels fake anymore. I’d wanted her to come to the party, fake-date or friend, and if I’ve hurt her, I hate myself.

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