Page 19 of Sinner's End

“I know you love me, Em. But sometimes love isn’t enough. You don’t like or respect me and to be blunt, I feel the same way. So, I think it’s time we cut our losses.”

The doorbell rings, drawing her attention from our conversation. Before I can stop her, she is already out of my room and heading downstairs.

I know who is on the other side of the door and I was rather hoping Emma would be gone before he showed up. But true to his text, it’s seven o’clock and he’s here to pick me up for our date.

“You’re looking fine,” Emma says in a sultry tone.

I walk down the stairs slowly, listening to their conversation.

“Thank you,” Kaleb says, but I can hear the edge to his voice.

“What brings you around here? I’ll be at Harken later tonight.” Emma flirts.

“First, you need to stop touching me.” Anger laces his words. “I didn’t consent to you putting your hands on me. Second, I’m here to take Addi out.”

“Addi?”

“Yes, your sister.”

“Addi?”

It’s like the girl doesn’t understand English all of a sudden, and I want to smack her. It isn’t that hard to understand. Stepping up beside her, I smile at the man who begged and bartered for this opportunity.

My nerves get the better of me and I run my sweaty hands over my stonewashed skinny jeans. I didn’t know where he wanted to take me tonight so I kept it pretty but casual. Skinny jeans, black pumps, and a flowy white and slate gray blouse that shows off my shoulders.

“Wow!” he says with a smile the moment he sees me. “You’re looking stunning, sweetness.”

An unwanted blush spreads across my cheeks. I swear to all that’s holy I am trying to keep my cool, but it’s not easy when a guy like Kaleb pays you attention. It feels like a caress as he skims his gaze over every inch of me. Not that he is hard on the eyes, either.

Dark jeans and a fitted, bright blue t-shirt show off all the muscles he hides in his work uniform. And that smile is enough to have grown women swooning.

“Adreana,” Emma says beside me. “What’s going on?”

I roll my eyes so hard I worry they might get stuck. Again, with this first name bullshit?

“I told you I was going on a date,” I say, hoping she’ll drop the situation.

“With a guy you knew I had a thing for?” She crosses her arms under her breasts, forcing them higher on her chest, her powder pink tank top leaving little to the imagination. She isn’t wearing a bra, and the fabric is almost see-through.

I give Kaleb a side look to assess whether he is staring only to find him standing beside his matte black muscle car.

“Do we really need to do this now?” I ask. “You don’t really want Kaleb. You’re just pissed he doesn’t want you.”

My sister steps into my personal space, rage burning in her emerald gaze that is so much like mine. “We’re done.” Malice drips from every word out of her mouth. “I’ll make sure to be gone whenever you get home with your new fuck toy.”

She makes sure her words are loud enough for Kaleb to hear. Maybe if he thinks I’m like her, he’ll be less interested in me … then neither of us will have him.

“Fine.” I sigh, walking away. “I’ll wire the money in the morning.”

But Emma doesn’t hear my words as she slams the front door. I’m sure she is going to break a bunch of shit just to let me know how angry she really is. And I’ll have to go through all my stuff to assess what she’s taken with her. But I’m finally free.

I know that sounds super fucked-up, but all I want is to breathe. To live. To be myself without constantly having to raise a whore-woman who acts like a spoiled fucking child. She wants to act like a grown-up when life is going well but throws tantrums like a toddler the moment anything doesn’t go her way. I’m done acting like a parent. It’s time to start living my own life.

“Are you okay?” Kaleb asks as he holds the passenger side door open for me. “We can do this another night.”

I place a kiss on his cheek. “You wanted a date. Show me what you got, handsome.”

I slide into the seat, buttery-soft leather holding me in place. It’s divine. And exactly what I need right now. Kaleb hops in and cranks the engine, allowing the V8 to roar to life. Damn, my dad would have loved this car.

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