Page 42 of Pomegranate Kiss

Danny plucked the steaming kettle up and poured the water into the mugs before passing one over to Cam. She picked it up, the scorching heat of the porcelain about all she could feel right now.

Danny blew across the surface of hers, leaving it on the counter. “She’s not faultless here. Adrian’s told me she had a history of falling for the wrong girls, ones who used her for some kicks until they all left. Until she pretty much walled everyoneoff, even most of her family. At least the Dukases know her well enough to claw their way back in.”

No wonder Lex pushed her away. Cam never told her what had changed. Hell, if she hadn’t gone through this situation with her parents tonight, she didn’t know how long she might’ve clung to the masquerade. And leading her on wasn’t fair to either of them.

“Do you think it’s too late for us?” Cam asked, her voice skating a whisper.

Danny’s eyes softened with sympathy. She clutched the mug as she took the first sip from the steaming liquid. “I think only you and Lex can figure that one out. But I’m rooting for you.”

Cam leaned in against her best friend, and Danny snuck an arm around her shoulder. The Chernobyl levels of fallout from tonight would radiate through the next few weeks, months, years, but right now, these were the people she would rely on. From the day she’d ended up in Charleston, she was meant to make this place her home. The support from Danny in her worst hour made the promise resonate deeper.

Chapter Twenty-One

Dukas Christmas dinners were something of legend, where not only the entire family gathered, but many of their extended relatives as well. Aunts, uncles, and cousins all crowded in Lex’s folks’ place who welcomed these mass takeovers with a zeal that made her wonder if her parents were insane. With the way each of them had turned out, the crazy thing was probably genetic.

Still, after the tumult of the past few weeks—hell, the past few months—she didn’t feel like dealing with her forty-some family members crammed inside the house. Cam had been silent ever since the club—no texts, no calls, and no random run-ins. Lex should’ve been relieved. And yet, she hated the way they’d left things between them. Lex couldn’t bear to think how much she must’ve hurt Cam that night.

There didn’t seem to be any way this would pan out without one of them ending up with permanent scars.

Danny had been giving her lingering glances all evening, and since her sister-in-law wasn’t interested in switching siblings, it had to be about their mutual acquaintance. Maybe Cam had come clean with Danny about the situation. More of a step than Lex could hope for, if she were being honest. All she’d needed was some action, anything, to disprove all the decisions Cam had made, some sign Cam wouldn’t string her along for the scorching sex until she hopped lanes to the easier route.

Either way, she’d stuffed herself to oblivion with Mom’s moussaka and baked fish and had drunk enough wine to float herself for the night. The hazy numbness had become far too familiar a friend at this point.

Lex leaned against the exterior of the house. The scents of roasted meat, spiced apple wine, and fresh baked bread lingered outside the house, filtering from inside. Multi-colored Christmas lights twinkled along the roof of her folks’ place, and the windows glowed with electric candles in each one.

Even with the chill nipping at her arms, she was glad she’d left her jacket inside. She needed some of these bracing winds to knock some sense into her. She lit her cigarette and slumped to the ground, placing her dwindling wine glass beside her. It would need at least a few more fill-ups from the family wine cabinet for her to make it through tonight intact.

“Oh look, she’s drowning herself in alcohol again,” Adrian said in a loud voice as he stepped out the front door. He’d dressed up classy like usual in his slate button-down shirt and charcoal slacks, every inch the successful doctor. Meanwhile, even on Christmas, Lex wore her Doc Martens, a pair of fleece-lined leggings, and a slouchy long shirt that came to mid-thigh. She’d thrown on a little extra eyeliner for effect.

“Fuck off, we’re all drinking. It’s Christmas, asshole,” Lex shot back, lifting her middle finger.

Matty slipped out after him and lit a cigarette, the embers glowing against the night sky. Her little brother had also ignored the “dress nicely” memo in his white shirt, biker vest, and ripped up jeans. “You’ve made it a champion sport lately, sis. Mitch and I have both agreed to put you at a three-drink maximum at the Gin Mill.”

“There are plenty of other bars in Charleston,” Lex responded, more than a little irritated these fuckers talked about her behind her back. “At least I’m not getting into fights and ending up in jail again. Take the progress and shove your judgements.”

“What phenomenal options you leave us with,” Adrian drawled, plopping beside her. He had a knowing look in his eyes that made her want to punch him in the face. Matty continued to lean against the wall on the other side of her, taking a drag from the cigarette to puff the smoke in the air.

Lex gasped and clutched her chest. “Adrian, what ever will you do, dirtying those posh pants to muck down here with the peasants.”

“Ha, funny. Stop playing the distraction game, Lex. You’re not as good at it as you think you are. You know Danny tells me everything, right?” Adrian continued, as if he didn’t notice the daggers she shot at him. “So, I know about her.” He didn’t say Cam’s name, and for that she was grateful. She didn’t think she could bear hearing it aloud right now.

“Hey, it’s just your fuck-up sister failing to turn a straight girl, yet again,” Lex rasped, her throat raw. She sucked in a deep inhale and blew the smoke out with enough force to take down a building.

Adrian nudged her in the leg. “The others weren’t your fault, Alexis. No matter how much you want to blame yourself. Back in high school, you had a bad run of shitty people who used and abused your trust, which you’ve always been a stingy bastard with.” He delivered it in the big brother tone that brooked noroom for arguments, even though she’d spent her entire life arguing him. “And before you protest, remember you’re talking to the guy who wasted way too long with a manipulative bitch who was in our relationship for the prestige.”

Ugh, this was why she hated her older brother. Half of the time he made far too much sense. And he didn’t arrive with doe eyes and dulcet words like Cal either. If Cal had come out here for this care and share, she would’ve punched him in the face. The stars twinkled like crystals in the velvet sky above them, and Lex stared up, letting out a low stream of smoke as if it might stand a chance at reaching them.

And Matty stood there in silence smoking his cig and pretending like he wasn’t listening to the conversation. Her little brother acted so much like her it wasn’t fair to him because he’d have a lion’s share of heartbreak in his future. Volatile powder kegs like them pushed away every good chance that wandered their way or found some avenue to fuck things up.

When it came to Cam, she knew she should’ve spoken up sooner. Lex should’ve told her how she felt, that with her, the commitment didn’t seem so terrifying. Yet she’d let her own fears speed down the freeway, and after the way things shattered between them, she didn’t have enough faith to believe again.

“Whatever. She’s determined to stay in the closet. Even nabbed herself an arranged marriage, courtesy of her folks,” she spat out, ashing her cigarette on the grass. “So sticking around is a recipe for heartbreak.”

“Maybe she needs to know if she comes out, she won’t lose everything,” Matty said, his voice distant in a way they didn’t dare probe. As nosy as her family was, they all knew how volatile Matty got when people questioned his sexuality, even though they’d known he was gay for years. “Sounds a lot to me if her folks are so locked in certain ways and beliefs they’re trying toarrange a marriage for her, they wouldn’t have the best reaction to any announcements that she’s a lesbian now.”

Lex swallowed, her throat tightening. Fuck Matty for making sense too. She’d seen the hesitation in Cam’s eyes, the darkened tone when she’d referred to not everyone having the same reception to coming out. Lex had been lucky, she knew that. Yet she had been letting her own fears and damage numb her tongue, too afraid of being wrecked again and not being able to glue her pieces together any longer.

She at least owed Cam one final talk. Ever since the woman had been home for winter break, she had shown a persistence in pursuing her that she never did during their six-month agreement when everything had been in secret. If Cam could try to push past her own shit, Lex could do the same.

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