Page 55 of Lie for a Lie

“Please talk to me,” Kat whines, sounding hurt. I stop long enough for her to add, “I’m ready for us now. I don’t want to live like this anymore.”

I feel my jaw clench, frustrated because this is nothing I haven’t heard from her repeatedly. I am tired of having the same fight, the same argument.

“No, Kat.” I run a hand through my hair. “You need to get a job. I’m going to take a trip in a few weeks, and if you aren’t able to pay to live here as a roommate by the time I get back, then you need to move out.”

A look of calm rage seems to settle on Katherine’s features. I know I haven’t exactly booked my tickets, but we both know who I’ll be with.

“You are so delusional if you think she wants you, and following her all over another country isn’t going to stop her from sleeping with Seth. Nothing will do that.”

Kat says, the last bit trailing off into a more jealous tone.

“No, I’m not delusional. But I am tired, frustrated, and don’t want to pretend to be living a life that doesn’t interest me.”

“And what life is that?” Kat snaps.

“One with you.”

I see the tears build in her eyes as she wraps her arms around herself. I don’t give her a chance to respond.

“I’m going out. Rent the first of October.”

“What about us?” Katherine asks, sounding upset like she hasn’t wasted six years of my life.

“First of October, Kat, otherwise, you’re gone.”

I don’t linger, slamming the door before locking it and heading towards my bathroom. I have to grip the sink, focus on my breathing, and ignore the knocking I hear at my bedroom door.

I turn around, turn on the shower, and start removing my clothes. I pull out my cell phone and turn on the Bluetooth speaker on the counter. I want to lose myself in the heavy metal I opt to put on instead of the crying I can hear faintly over the running water.

That’s when it dawns on me. I have given myself until October to figure out and decide what I want to do next. I am so tired of never being able to answer the question of my plans besides being a trauma surgeon. I have the time coming up with my contract ending to make some changes in my life.

By the time I finish my shower and shave, Katherine has sent several messages I ignore. I pull on my favorite jeans and a fitted T-shirt before my favorite blacked-out Chiefs hat. I don’t feel like dealing with my curls and am overdue for a haircut. Thankfully, I wear a scrub cap most of my day, so people don’t tend to notice. I pull on some boots before finally grabbing my keys and wallet.

Me: On my way.

Chris: Bre is running late, so you might see Seth. Sorry.

I linger on my phone for a minute and try not to let it bother me. It makes sense that Seth would want to date Paige. She is smart, funny, and those eyes tell every bone in my body Paige isn’t meant to be with Seth.

When I finally pull myself together enough to head out, Kat is nowhere to be seen, with her bedroom door wide open. Her purse by the front door is gone, too. I know it will be a few days before I hear from her again, so I head down to my truck, turning back on the heavy metal I have been playing earlier.

Once I park, I calm myself enough to look around the parking lot and recognize only Chris and Paige’s vehicles. I feel a small bit of the tension ease in my chest, and I lock up my truck before heading up the steps and knocking on the girls’ condo door.

Chris opens the door as I notice Seth’s truck entering the parking lot. I head into the condo, looking around, only to see Chris and his paused game, before hearing a door open on my left.

When I turn my attention to Paige, I realize I am an absolute idiot for not realizing how many beautiful shades of green are in her soft yet piercing eyes. The sixteen-year-old boy in me would have never missed the shapeliness of her body. Her work scrubs fit her well and showed off her curves, but this outfit is practically see-through.

Fuck.

She smiles flirtatiously.

“Hey, trouble, eyes up here.”

I have to step back and take in the knee-high fuck-me black boots she has on to match. She gestures with her fingers, from her full breast to my favorite emerald green eyes.

I let a small chuckle out before she took a few steps into the room, heading for the kitchen. She walks past us, lifts her hand, and brushes it across my chest, and the smell of coconut and vanilla fills my nostrils. I reach up to graze her fingers as her hand leaves my chest, not letting her focus fall back on me as a knock sounds behind us.

I have to remind myself to breathe as Seth walks through the doorway, his eyes finding Paige immediately as she smiles softly, with Seth getting to drink in every ounce of that sexual goddess, confidently drowning the space. Seeing it makes my jaw clench, and that pang I try to forget filling my chest is screaming at me as I watch Seth spin Paige, taking in the full sight of that jean mini skirt.

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