Page 34 of Lies Like Love

“It’s none of your business.” I grab my jewelry case again. “You left. You don’t get to ask questions.”

“Walk away if you don’t like it.”

This was a bad idea. My business might thrive but I’m pretty sure Jude’s going to tear me in two before that happens.

“Fine.” I clench my jaw and give him one final, hard look before turning and walking toward the door.

“And here I thought this was us starting over,” Jude says to my retreating back.

Planting my hand on the door and pushing it open, I pause, half in and half out. There’s so much I want to say, but all it does is cut into wounds that are still dripping with his infection.

Tipping my chin over my shoulder, I let out a sigh. “There is no starting over, Jude. You made sure of it.”

If only he hadn’t.

“It’s official, sis.” Jude leans against the doorframe.

I tug at my bridesmaid dress, feeling it tightening around me. “Don’t call me that.”

“It’s what you are.” He lets out an unamused chuckle and brings a beer to his lips.

“Where did you get that?” I walk over to him and snatch it out of his hand. “If your dad catches you drinking—”

“Let him.” Jude grips my arm, and the beer bottle falls to the floor, shattering on the tile.

But he doesn’t care or notice as he grabs my wrist and spins me around until my back is pinned against the wall and he’s towering over me. “I can think of worse things he can catch me doing.”

“Jude—”

“Don’t pretend you’ve never thought about it.” He places his palm over my cheek and toys with my bottom lip with his thumb. “We both know where this was heading before my dad went and fucked it all up. You and me to the end, Fel.”

“You’re drunk.” I push his chest. But instead of backing up, he moves in closer.

“Why does it matter if I am? Not the first beer I’ve had in my life, won’t be the last.”

“You’re sixteen, for one.” I cross my arms over my stomach. “But also—you don’t mean this.”

Jude drops his chin and shakes his head, chuckling as he lifts his gaze once more to meet my own. “That’s where you’re wrong, Fel. It’s where everyone’s always fucking wrong.”

10

Jude

Sinceourconfrontationaweek ago, Fel has avoided me every time she drops off more jewelry, and I shouldn’t be surprised. If being an asshole is what it takes to keep the line drawn between us, I’ll do what needs to be done. She never understood my willingness to take it as far as I had to with her.

The last thing I need is Fel getting close again or getting ideas in her head that I’m a good guy who did what I did for the right reasons. Letting her in only ends in blood, and I’m no idiot lying to myself and denying it.

But I can only avoid her so much.

Felicity Alcott with her splash of color and all-seeing blue eyes is impossible to ignore. Sitting in the lobby chatting with Echo every chance she gets. Flipping through a random stack of tarot cards that was left behind by one of our clients. Peeking into corners of the universe she doesn’t belong.

Looking beautiful in a way that shouldn’t be allowed with her freckled cheeks and heart-shaped face. The kind of beauty wars are fought over. Danger disguised as sweet. Soft but sharp beneath. A wake of destruction.

One look and she’s karma—or penance for all the things I’ve done.

Ghosts knocking on the gates of the cemetery.

Not that she realizes what happens when you wake them.

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