Page 69 of Sinners' Appetite
She nods and turns toward Jeremy. “Tell Sammi I’ll see her tomorrow morning.”
“Sure,” he replies.
“What’s your plans for tomorrow?” I ask Dean.
“I’m getting up early to take the boat out on the water.”
“Mind if Nikki and I tag along?”
“Sure. I’ll be up at five. I think I have a few extra life-jackets kicking around here somewhere.”
“Why don’t you two go without me?” Nikki suggests. “Sammi and I can explore a little while you two catch up.”
“Are you sure? The lake is beautiful first thing in the morning. We can show you how to bait a hook too.”
“If that means shoving an ugly worm onto a hook—no thank you,” she laughs.
I reach for her hand before we take off toward the cabins. Once we get through the door, Nikki hops onto the bed and rests her head on the pillow.
“You okay, baby girl?” I ask.
“I have a headache. I’ll be okay. I think I just need some sleep.”
“Do you have ibuprofen with you?”
“No, I didn’t think to bring any.”
“I’ll go ask Dean if he has any. Be right back.” I lean in, kissing her on the forehead.
As I make my way out of the cabin, I glance down toward the beach and see Jeremy and Sammi huddled up near the fire. I don’t see Dean down there anymore, so I assume he went back to his cabin shortly after we left.
I knock a few times before opening the door. Dean comes around the corner with a bottle of beer in his hands. “Need something?” he asks.
“Nikki has a headache. We didn’t bring any pain relievers with us. Do you have a few we can steal?”
He nods his head and walks into the kitchen, reaching up into the cupboard and fetching a bottle of pills. “I have these. I’d suggest just half of one, though. She’s small.”
“I appreciate it. Thanks.”
“Does she know about Amber?” Dean asks, catching me completely off guard for a moment.
I shake my head. “No. I haven’t told her anything.”
“You probably should.”
“A lot of shit has happened since I met her. She’s not ready to hear about that yet.”
“The longer you wait, the harder it’ll be.”
“Why does she even need to know? It’s the past. It has nothing to do with her.”
“Why wouldn’t she need to know? Is that how this whole thing works? You move to another city, find an easy lay and forget that my sister even existed?”
I slam the bottle of pills down onto the counter and step closer to him, adrenaline pumping through my veins at full speed. “Is that what you fucking think? You think Nikki is just some distraction? We can leave right now if you’re so fucking bent out of shape about her.”
“I’m not. I just think she deserves to know.”
“I’ll talk to her, when I’m fucking ready, Dean,” I spit out, sweat beginning to form on my forehead. “And just so you know—she’s not some easy fucking lay. I’m falling in love with her. I’ve never felt this way about anyone in my entire life.”
