Page 75 of The Sinner: James

I want him.

So I give him the answer.

“Keep driving.”

“Are you sure?” James asks, no smile on his face.

“I’m damn sure,” I blurt out, furious.

* * *

JAMES

It’s hard notto notice her turmoil, the mixed emotions blazing through her eyes.

It’s the hardest decision she’s ever made, and it’s different than picking the color of her prom dress or coming up with a list of guests for her birthday party.

She hates me right now, and that’s good.

I like hatred.

It’s genuine and teaches me a lot about people. Sometimes it shows me more than I need to know.

It peels off the masks, petty lies, and pretense, giving me something to work with. It’s ugly because it’s real.

Testing her, I know what she’s made of.

If she’s as strong as I think she is, or if she’s just spoiled fluff.

If there is substance to her.

I pull up in front of Red’s and turn off the engine before Lex, and Ed jump out of the car and head to the building.

She doesn’t move.

My gaze flicks to the rearview mirror. Frozen in the corner, she looks out the window.

“Are you coming?” I ask.

She flicks her gaze to me.

Our eyes connect.

“Is that what you want?” she asks.

She looks crushed.

“Is that the only way I can be with you?” she continues.

I pivot in my seat and look at her.

“You can’t be with me, baby…” I say quietly. “Not in the way you want me. You know that. I told you from the beginning.”

She tips her chin down, downcast.

“I don’t know why you are so sad...” I say, smiling. “TheNight of the Kingsis not such a bad thing. Granted, the name is ridiculous. I don’t know who came up with it. It wasn’t us for sure.”

“So it’s the three of you having fun with a woman,” she says, tipping her gaze back up.

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