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“Oh my gosh. What’s wrong?” She rushes toward me.

I stand abruptly, the chair sliding against the tile with a loud screech. Holding my hands up, palms out, I warn, “Don’t touch me.”

Lexi stops in her tracks. Her head tilts in confusion. “What is it?”

I swallow the lump of emotion in my throat. “You had a visitor.”

She narrows her eyes. “Who?”

“Kyle.”

“Who’s…” She begins to lie before her mouth falls open in recognition. “Acne-scarred Kyle?” she asks.

“Drug dealer Kyle,” I correct, my blazing eyes narrow in anger as my lips press into a thin line.

“Okay.” She shrugs. “Why are you…wait. I didn’t ask him to come here.”

My nostrils flare. “Were you supposed to meet somewhere else?”

“What?” Her voice raises an octave. “I wasn’t supposed to meet him anywhere. I don’t know why he was here. Maybe he saw me in the parking lot or something and swung by to try to get a sale.”

“Listen, Lexi. I’m going to ask you a couple of questions, and I need you to be completely honest with me.”

“Okay, of course.” Her voice softens.

“When is the last time you saw Kyle?”

“Last time I was here in May by the pool when he gave me that pill.”

“So you’re telling me you haven’t spoken to him this week?”

“God, no. Of course not.”

“Not via text or anything?”

“No, nothing.” She reaches her hands toward mine, and I take another step back, avoiding contact.

“When’s the last time you’ve done anything? Pills? Pot? Whatever?”

“In. May. When. I. Was. Here,” she says, each word a staccato. “Like I already told you. What is going on? Do you really think I’m meeting up with loser-ass Kyle behind your back to get high while you’re gone?”

I don’t say anything. I simply release a long breath.

She raises her hands to her mouth. “Oh, my God, you do! You seriously do!”

I throw my hands up and storm toward the refrigerator. I tug the door open and retrieve a water. Twisting off the cap, I take a long swig before answering, “I don’t know what to think. I’ve been wrong before. All I know is your previous drug dealer shows up at my door asking for you by name and says he has something for you. What am I supposed to think?”

“That he’s a creepy-ass drug dealer looking to make a sale!” she shrieks. “Maybe have a little faith in me?” She crosses her arms over her chest and furrows her brow. “He’s notmydrug dealer. I’ve seen the guy once in my life and honestly hope to never see him again.”

We’re silent for a beat. I’m at a loss for what to say. It’s been an emotional day full of doubts. If I’m to believe Lexi right now, then I should probably apologize because I’m being a total dick. But I don’t know what to feel. Maybe today was nothing, but that’s not to say drugs won’t come into play at a later date. What’s the endgame here? Reunited a week and we’re already screaming at each other?

She purses her lips, her face tight in a scowl as she holds up her index finger, wagging it toward me. “I’ve done nothing but tell you the truth! I’ve been completely open and honest with you this entire week. I have been trying so hard.” Her voice breaks, and I ignore my need to run to her and envelop her in my arms.

She shakes her head, hurling a stare of disgust my way. “You know what? Fuck you, Tony.” She turns on her heel and storms out of my place, slamming the door hard behind her.

Well, shit…

CHAPTER22

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