Page 53 of Lies Like Love

“Exactly,” Jude says, sitting back and facing me once more in the window seat. “This is why virginities don’t fascinate me. Even yours.”

“Why?”

“Because innocence is only sweet for a second. It’s why good girls always hand theirs over to princes. No surprises. They know he’ll treat it right as he takes it. It’s boring, a right of passage. And ultimately, it’s forgettable. Being someone’s first is a waste of time. After all, Little Red Riding Hood might think she knows what she wants when she steps into the forest, but that’s only until she meets the wolf.”

“What does she want then?”

His eyes drop to the book in my lap. “Keep reading and find out.”

“Well hello, Miss Didn’t-Come-Home-Last-Night.” Maren sets her phone down and looks up at me when I walk in the door in nothing more than Jude’s oversized T-shirt. “Good night I take it.”

Incredible. Horrible. Everything.

“It was all right.”

I’m furious with Jude and struggling to hide it. But I refuse to let it show. I’m not going to allow him to get to me after all these years. He doesn’t get to walk in and mess with me for his own amusement.

Sure, I might have brought it on myself by throwing other guys in his face just to see how far I could push him. But a normal person would have told me to fuck off and left the room.

Jude is far from normal—unhinged when it comes to me. Willing to take it one step too far, and then ten more. I’m sick for pushing him anyway.

But I wanted the rush. The jealousy. The fire.

All things he delivered on—and more.

Reaching into my purse, I drop down onto the couch next to Maren. “Here,” I hand her the stack of cash Crew left for me in an envelope in our mail slot.

Jude might hate me for last night, but he still texted the guys to have them grab me the cash I’m owed, so I can make rent. One more way he’s an enigma. Caring for me and treating me like he despises me at the same time.

“Damn, that shop is paying off. Told you Twisted Roses was a good idea.” She flips through the stack of bills.

“Don’t get me started on Twisted Roses.” I cringe just thinking about it. “Worst and best idea you’ve ever had.”

“I’ll take the best part and ignore the rest.”

“Of course you will.”

She tosses the cash onto the coffee table. “Guess you’re out for tonight’s fights then. Jude’s going to be there.”

“As if I need more reasons to not attend.”

Hopefully, on the outside, she doesn’t see my actual feelings about her comment. Because the idea of Jude getting handsy with a ring girl after what happened last night, makes me cringe. I have no doubt he might even do worse just for revenge. After all, I taunted him with other men knowing Jude likes the thought of me being his possession.

“Besides, I can’t. I promised my grandparents I’d make an appearance at their gala.”

Maren frowns. “You haven’t seen them in six months. What changed?”

“This isn’t about them. My mom started this charity, so I owe it to her.” I close my eyes and take a deep breath, feeling her blood on my hands at her memory alone. Blood soaked with guilt after last night.

I don’t know what Jude said when he finally pushed her over the ledge, only that he was the last person she spoke to before she disappeared into the bathroom and slit her wrists.

I owe her this, and so much more.

Maren reaches for my hand, squeezing it.

She might not understand the restrictions I grew up with, but senses when I need her.

“I guess that explains the box then.” She scrunches her nose.

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