Page 102 of Beyond the Hate

“I’m discussing your anger at me for raising my voice at my assistant. Although it’s not any of your business, the brewery is technically on the distillery’s property so I can understand your concern with how I acted.”

Is she really this clueless? Or is she making shit up? Are these more lies?

“I realize I’m a hypocrite. I yelled at Blossom for making out with someone at work. Considering what we did in my office, it’s beyond hypocritical. But I was shocked at what I saw. I never want to see Jaxon’s naked rear end again.”

“Jaxon and Blossom were having sex in the distillery?”

Her brow wrinkles. “Technically they were still on the foreplay stage but yes.”

“Whatever. Jaxon’s a grown man he can do what he wants.”

“If you’re not mad about Jaxon, what are you mad about?”

“I told you. I heard you.”

“What exactly did you hear?”

“You said – and I quote here – Eli can’t find out.”

Her eyes widen. “You heard?”

“And now I know you’re a liar.”

Her brow wrinkles. “A liar?”

“Yes. A liar. A woman I can’t trust.” I shake my head. “I thought you were different. I thought I could trust you. Hell, I thought I…” I trail off before I tell her I thought I loved her. Idon’t want her to have an excuse to try and dig her way back into my good graces.

All this time I thought she didn’t care about my money. She certainly fooled me.

“You’re taking my words out of context.”

“I don’t know what context could be good.”

“Listen, I’m—”

I hold up my hand. “I don’t want to hear any more lies. I don’t want to hear anything more from you at all.”

Her eyes narrow on me. “Are you serious? You heard something out of context and now you’re throwing away what we have?”

“We had nothing. It was just a bit of fun. Nothing more.”

Pain flashes in her eyes. “Just a bit of fun?”

“Yep. And I did have fun. But now it’s over.”

She sniffs and tears well in her eyes, but I refuse to be moved by her act. And it is an act. It’s been an act all along. What was I thinking? Pursuing her? She planned the entire thing. She lured me in and I fell for it. Hook, line, and sinker. I’m a fucking idiot.

“You’re breaking up with me?”

“We’re done.”

The tears fall from her eyes and I lock my limbs before I go to her. It’s a lie, I remind myself. It’s all a lie. It’s not real. It’s a mirage. She isn’t the woman I thought she was.

She rushes from the room and I blow out a breath. It’s done. I don’t need to see Paisley ever again.

Dakota stomps into my office. “You’re worse than your brother. You’re an asshole. I’m taking a mental health day because I can’t look at you right now.”

“You don’t know what she did.”

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