Page 71 of Infinite

Oh, my God. I’m going to kill someone and I know exactly who to start with.

Hale bounces down the rear staircase, the black athletic pants he’s in just barely staying at his hips. He scratches his head, his eyelids heavy as if he’s barely slept. My, I wonder what in heavens he was up all night doing.

I toss a glare at the blond. Never mind, I think I know.

“I’m going to work out,” he tells her. “Help yourself to . . .”

His steps slow when he sees me. Oh, he’s wide awake now. His large eyes zip from me to the blond. He does a double-take when he sees she’s wearing my dog and not much else.

“What-what?” he says.

The blond giggles, because why the fuck not? “Hale, you know I get hot in bed.”

Hale races down the stairs, holding out his arms when I march toward him. “You weren’t supposed to be here until Thursday.”

“Is that all you have to say to me?”

“Hale,” blondie says. “Who’s this?”

“Who am I?” I practically hiss. “Who thefuckare you?”

To the public I serve I’m a right-bred Southern lady, as sweet as nectar dripping from a bumblebee’s chin, and as poised and refined as a seasoned ballerina. In my defense, we’re not in public and there is a naked woman holding my dog in my almost lover’s house!

I veer on Hale, my finger out, pointing it like a weapon. “You. Speak. Now.”

My semi-possessed demon voice does absolutely nothing to ease the tension. Hale’s jaw slacks open. “I know this looks bad,” he begins.

“You think?”

The front door opens. “Hey,” Trin’s voice sings. “Y’all decent?” She skips in, her baby tucked against her chest and her little boy’s hand held gently in hers. Callahan follows, balancing several casserole dishes in his arms.

Everyone stops in place. A naked woman wearing a dog has that effect.

Trin’s mouth pops open, her attention bouncing from Blondie to Hale to me. Callahan barely blinks. He places the dishes on the counter and turns around, scooping his son up in his arms. “We’ll be outside,” he says. “Trin?”

“You may be outside,” Trin tells him. “I’m not going anywhere. Take the baby, will you, love?” She narrows her eyes at the blond. “She might not like the sight of blood.”

Callahan reaches for his daughter. “Nice,” he tells Hale, not meaning it.

Hale covers his face, looking up at the ceiling.

“Who are you?” Trin asks, so livid she barely gets her mouth to work.

Blondie flips back her hair and smiles. “Hale Wilder’s fiancée.”

“What the fuck!” I say.

“That’s not true,” Hale says. “Becks, please, I know this looks bad.”

“No shit!” I reply. I’m not someone anyone would call a screamer. But my voice is no longer a voice. It’s taken on a life on its own and is about as murderous as I feel.

Hale curses, rubbing his face as if annoyed. Oh,he’smad.

“I can’t believe you did this to me,” I say.

“Becks, you don’t understand—”

“I can’t believe I fell for all your ‘I miss you’ shit!” My eyes sting with tears.

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