Page 100 of Until It Was Real

“Explain how you’re an addict? I don’t think so.”

“I’m not a—”

I slash a hand through the air. “Save it. I don’t want to hear any more of your lies. I’ve heard enough.”

“But—”

“In case I haven’t made myself perfectly clear, we’re over. I don’t want to see your face ever again.”

I slam the door and stomp to the front door. I’m in my vehicle, ready to pull out of the driveway, before I realize I can’t leave a drug addict in my home alone.

“Damnit,” I mutter as I make my way back inside.

Dakota is waiting for me in the foyer. Her eyes are swollen from her tears, and her mascara is smeared on her cheeks. Sympathy tries to push its way through my anger but I ignore it. She’s an addict. And a liar. She doesn’t deserve an ounce of sympathy from me.

“Thank you for coming back for me. Can I explain now?”

Heat flushes through my body as my anger flares. “I don’t want an explanation.”

“But—”

And I’m done. I can’t listen to her try to wheedle her way back into my life while we drive to the distillery. I throw my keys at her. She fumbles them. I usually find it adorable when she’s klutzy but now I have to wonder if it’s an act. If everything she ever said and did was a lie.

“Go back to the distillery.”

She opens her mouth to speak but I hold up a hand to stop her. “Leave the keys on my desk.”

She stares at me for a moment before nodding. Her shoulders slump as she leaves my house and walks to the vehicle.

She can look as pathetic and upset as she wants. I’m not buying it. Because she’s a liar.

Chapter 31

“Men suck. Female friends are awesome. That is all.” ~ Dakota

Dakota

Idon’t know how I did it, but I made it through the work day. Rhett didn’t return to the distillery, which helped.

I don’t want to see his face. He couldn’t have at least let me explain?

Relief fills me when I finally park at theMermaid Motel.There’s no way I’ll run into Rhett here. He wouldn’t deign to show his face at this motel if it weren’t for me. Asshole.

The idea of working the night shift fills me with dread. I can’t do it. Not tonight.

“Hey, Sadie,” I greet as I walk into the reception area.

“What happened? Who do I need to banish from the island?”

I feign confusion. “What do you mean?”

She circles my face with her finger. “You’ve been crying.”

Damnit. I scrubbed my face in the restroom at the distillery, but I guess I didn’t do a good enough job.

“Can you cover for me tonight?”

“Of course.”

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