Page 47 of False Evidence

“Well then, you’d be wrong.” He pointed to the hard disk on the counter. “I’m going to check and see if I’ve got an old console to plug this into in the attic. Get some sleep. Night, Lex.”

He left the kitchen without looking back.

She’d hurt him. She hadn’t intended to throw his words back at him like that, but still, she wondered if some subconscious part of her had done it on purpose.

Things had been so much simpler when they hadn’t even known each other’s names. Before they had a world of hurt built up between them. Back when their biggest problem was Brent Forbes and Russ Spaulding.

ChapterSeventeen

Menanichoch, Maryland

December 18th

Sixteen years ago

Alexandra woke up to find herself alone in the suite and asked herself if she was disappointed. If he were here, would she relent and tell him her name? Give him her phone number?

She honestly didn’t know.

She’d meant it when she said she didn’t have time to date. But that didn’t mean she wasn’t interested in a man who would turn down a no strings screw because he didn’t want to make it impossible to be with her later.

Should she make an effort to learn his name?

No. If he was smart, he wouldn’t be interested in the light of day. After all, she’d been all over the map last night, demanding sex from a stranger. Mad when he wouldn’t give it to her.

She’d fallen apart and pummeled his chest, all because he reminded her she’d been through an ordeal she needed to process.

Was it trauma?

Maybe. It was nothing like what her friends who’d been raped had gone through, but she didn’t need to put it on a scale and measure it to know last night had affected her.

She would never leave a drink unguarded again—even on a date that absolutely should have been safe. That, of course, brought to mind Kendall and Brent.

She never, ever wanted to see Brent again. Even if he really hadn’t known, the association would always be there. Brent Forbes was best buds with a predator.

He’d set her up on a date with that predator.

What would that do to her relationship with Kendall? Her best friend. Her roommate. Friends since freshman year of college, when they’d been randomly assigned to share a dorm room.

Kendall was in love with Brent. This could destroy their friendship.

The hotel room phone rang. Alexandra jolted at the sharp sound.

Who knew she was here besides Pumpkin?

She snickered. She’d really called the hottest man she’d ever kissed, the man who saved her from being raped,Pumpkin.

But damn, it had been fun messing with him.

The phone rang again. She hoped it wasn’t her date calling. Could he be out already? Was it possible charges weren’t going to be filed?

A shiver ran through her, and she wished Pumpkin were here.

She picked up the handset, squeezing it tight as she pressed it to her ear. “Hello?”

“Oh, thank god,” Kendall said. “We need to get you a cell phone.”

“You know I can’t afford one. Besides, you found me. I don’t need one.”

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