Page 145 of Sincerely, Your Enemy

I know she’s not going to let it go when she follows up with, “Oh my God, TJ. Is she… is your mom?—”

“I… I can’t do this, I’m sorry.”

She doesn’t argue, watching me unlock my car with the key fob and drop into the driver’s seat.

All I can hear as I take off at full speed is the sound of my entire world crashing down around me, along with my old life.

And every good memory I have of my mom.

Lacey

Imay not be a pro on the silent treatment, but I’m pretty sure when a guy does you wrong, you’re supposed to be the one ignoring his messages—notthe other way around.

I’ve texted TJ twice since I unblocked him that day.

Twice.

Someone better call the police and report my dignity as missing.

It was just a “Hey” and a message asking him if he was okay, but still. I felt horrible watching him drive away after Daniel dropped that massive bombshell on him two days ago. I wanted to check in on him. Even though he lied to me. Even though he broke my heart. I still care about his well-being. It’s not something I can just turn off.

The only good thing to come out of this week is the news that Daniel will be moving much closer to me and the kids. He went back to Silver Springs, my hometown, after shit hit the fan with TJ, to finish packing up his things and moving out of the family home.

Then he’ll be moving into a temporary rental a few minutes away from our place. He made it clear his days of only visiting once a year were behind us now that his marriage to my control freak of a mother is ending.

I tap out of my conversation with TJ and throw my phone face down on Dia’s couch. “Tell me the truth. Am I totally pathetic for asking him how he was doing?”

Dia sets our second bowl of popcorn down on the living room table before grabbing a seat next to Finn on the couch. “Pathetic? No. Too nice? Maybe a little. But that’s just what makes youyou.You’re a good-hearted, compassionate person, Lace. I’m sure he appreciated you reaching out.”

I scoff. “Right. He appreciated it so much he didn’t even text me back.”

Finn puts his arm around his fiancée’s shoulders and hugs her to his chest. “Yeah, because he’s struggling. News like that will fuck you up. Just give him a minute. He’ll come around.”

I sigh, pulling a blanket over my body. “Appreciate the advice, Mr. I’m-Not-Even-Supposed-To-Know-About-This.”

Finn laughs. “Hate to break it to you, but I’m marrying your best friend. Your drama is officiallymydrama.”

I desperately needed some girl talk tonight, and I knew when Dia invited me over to her place that Finn would be there. Normally, I don’t mind it, but I wouldn’t want Finn to accidentally bring this up in front of TJ. He’s probably having a hard enough time processing his mother’s lies as it is without the whole world knowing about his family drama.

I chuckle. “Just don’t go blabbing to TJ, okay?”

He nods. “Please, it’s not my first rodeo.”

On that note, Finn smacks a kiss to Dia’s forehead and pushes off the couch. “I’m going to get something to drink. You guys want anything?”

“A glass of water would be nice,” Dia puts in her order.

Finn smiles at her. “Anything for my girl. Lacey, you good?”

“All good, thanks.”

“Thank you, babe,” Dia calls as Finn is walking away. “Now, about his mother. What’s with all the secrecy? Didn’t he say she went away for work?”

“Yeah, but I’m starting to think that’s bullshit. He clearly said he was trying to avenge her the other day.”

Dia winces, putting a pretty clear picture together. “Avenge as in…”

“Yep.”

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