Page 130 of The Sinner: James

As we stroll past the stage, he motions to a couple of dancers.

“They’re new...” he says, winking at me.

We enter a room resembling an alcove with an oversized couch tucked against the wall and drinks waiting on the table.

“It’s good to see you, James,” my friend says before pulling away.

I crash onto the sofa.

The first gulp of the alcohol burns the back of my throat. I empty the second glass, and it finally hits my blood.

By the time I finish the third drink, I relax.

Lex is still fussing with his second drink.

“I think I got ahead of myself,” I say, and he looks at me but doesn’t say a thing. “I don’t like when I can’t keep things under control, especially with women... It’s not like I want to control her. Trust me. I don’t. But I can’t have that kind of shit in my life. I don’t like to complicate things. I don’t like drama. She caught me in her little family crisis. They’re no better than the others, yet I’m supposed to feel bad because I have money and live the way I do. I tried to talk some sense into her. I told her I could help her if she needed a place to stay or money. She refused my help. She needs to grow up and figure this shit out for herself.”

“She’ll learn.”

“Maybe. I’m not so sure,” I say, anger threading through my voice.

“She’s only a kid,” he says conciliatory.

That does nothing for me.

I take another sip.

“I guess it was fun while it lasted,” I say, my eyes drawn to the door as two dancers enter the room.

“Blonde or brunette?” I murmur, my eyes taking in their naked bodies, very little fabric on their crotches.

Cute faces.

And now I know why the owner winked at us. Lex gives them a swift once over.

“Which one? We’ll swap anyway.”

“Brunette,” he says.

“Fine by me,” I mutter as I motion to the blonde.

Smiling, she straddles me, sways her hips in sync with the music, and rubs her crotch against my groin before slipping her fingers inside my shirt.

* * *

JAMES

The buzzing swirlsaround my brain like an obnoxious fly.

It stops before it starts again.

A different ringtone.

This must be Lex’s phone.

I crack an eye open, the headache only worsening.

“What the fuck?” I groan.

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