Page 121 of Lies Like Love

“Look in the fucking mirror.”

Crew’s face is black and blue around one eye from a nasty beating at his last fight. But the severity of the bruising isn’t what’s concerning, it’s that it’s there at all. Crew doesn’t lose to anyone. He’s quick, brutal, deliberate. There’s only one way people get the chance to beat the shit out of him, and that’s when it’s his choice. The bruises mean he wanted the pain, but I don’t know why.

“You should see the other guy.” Crew smirks.

“He was basically a puddle by the end of that shit.” Sage braces his hands on the doorframe overhead, looking at Crew. “That was fucked. If there were rules, there’s no way in hell they’d let you back in there.”

“Good thing there aren’t then.”

He’s such a sadistic fucker.

“Besides, you’ve been MIA as well. What gives?”

Sage flexes his fingers. “Saving my hands for the shit that actually makes us money.”

“Pussy.”

“I’ll be back.”

Crew shakes his head, looking annoyed all of a sudden. I’m not sure what goes on in his head that he’s constantly trying to escape, but half the time the dude looks one second away from crawling out of his skin.

Or maybe it’s the weed getting to my head.

This is some good shit.

Echo pops into the doorway and glances from one of us to the other, frowning. “Am I the only one who works around here?”

“Apparently,” Crew answers, being a dick.

She doesn’t bother acknowledging him, looking at me instead. “Fel’s friend is here.”

“Maren?” What the fuck would she be doing here? She knows where Fel’s at. The two of them are constantly texting.

“Obviously.”

Even Echo’s annoyed and unbearable to be around today. Not a good sign.

Hopping up, I pass the joint off to Sage before making my way to the front of the shop. And sure enough, Maren is standing in the lobby wearing a hot pink tank top, black pants, and leopard heels, looking like she’s headed to a club in the middle of the day.

Except, that’s how she normally dresses.

“What’s up?” I stop in front of her.

“Oh,helloto you too, Jude.” She turns to face me, narrowing her gaze. “How are you?I’m fine. How are you?Lovely.”

“Are you done?”

I don’t care how she’s doing; I just care why she’s here.

Maren shakes her head, looking annoyed.

Join the club.

“Fel mentioned something to me the other day after she stupidly agreed to marry you.” She rolls her eyes like it annoys her to even think about it.

At least all of our friends are in agreement over the fact that they think we’re making the worst decision of our lives.

“What did she mention?”

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