Page 58 of Signed in Incubus

Penny? I knew that name.

“Why the hell is Deanna holding on to you like you guys are a thing?” asked the woman next to Penny with red hair.

“And we’d better like your answer, or else,” said Penny’s other friend. She held a butter knife in her hand and looked like she was ready to gut me with it.

“Stop it.” Penny’s voice was soft. She clearly only wanted her friends to hear, but I heard her loud and clear. “I told you guys: leave it. He wants his freedom. Let him have it.”

My freedom? I didn’t realize I’d ever lost it.

By now, Penny was making her way out of her seat, and she looked angry. She wasn’t looking at me but at Dee. Dee released my arm and took a step back. As Penny brushed past me, we touched. It was the smallest contact, just her hand on my forearm as she pushed me out of the way to get to the other woman, but it was all I needed.

All the memories came crashing back like they’d been held back by a wall much too small to contain them. All it took was the tiniest crack, and the dam broke. The spell. The attacks. The motel. Moving in together. Sleeping with her in my arms. Waking up. Making her breakfast. Writing the letter. Forcing myself to stay away until I forgot everything.

And one realization, the most important one of all, left me speechless.

I loved this woman!

Chapter 28

Penny

You know how youhear about sweet, kind people who out of nowhere break down and turn into horrible monsters? That was me. Right now. I was fucking losing it.

As I pushed my way over to Deanna, I touched Prax, and a jolt of energy ran through us. I ignored it because there was something else on my mind right now.

“What the fuck is wrong with you, Deanna?!” I yelled.

She took a step back, still pretending to be all innocent.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Don’t you?” I was acutely aware that the bar was suddenly alotquieter than it had been just moments ago, and I was sure we had an audience. Screw it. I didn’t care anymore. This bitch had fucked with me for the last time.

“Why are you following me around? Why are you trying to mess up my life?”

“I have no clue what you’re talking about. You’re just mad that Praxy-poo here doesn’t want you anymore.”

Deanna tried to hook her arm through his, but Prax shook her off and reached for me instead. I wasn’t ready to deal with him yet. Not while that bitch was still here.

“Don’t you pretend to act all innocent. Travis told me everything. You told him the big family inheritance was going to youbecause I was freaking barrenand convinced him to ditch me so that the two of you could get married instead. Then, after he bailed on the wedding, you dropped him like a ton of bricks.”

“It’s not my fault the guy’s an idiot.”

“That’syour response?” I hissed. Heat rose to my face, and it was everything I could do not to shout. “You never wanted him to begin with; you just wanted to screw me over. And what about the MapLocate app you put on my phone? And following me to Delerium and spiking my drink?”

I didn’t have concrete proof it was her, but after Prax told me it wasn’t Dwayne, I’d come to this conclusion. Her face told me I was right.

She shrugged. “You should’ve watched your glass better.”

“What were you trying to accomplish? Was it just for that photo? Or were you actually hoping that someone would take advantage of me? Because that’s pretty shitty.”

She pressed her lips into a tight line, probably realizing she’d said too much already.

“What do you have against me, Deanna? Every single family gathering, you’re at my throat. Now you’re after Prax? He’s not even your type. I mean, Travis, I can understand, but Prax? You’re not interested in him, you just want to one-up me. Quit messing with my life!”

That broke her silence. “Me mess upyourlife? You’re the one who messed upmine.”

“What are you even talking about? I try my best to stay out of your life as much as possible.”

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