Page 109 of House of Deceit

“I mean, he’s moved back in and is acting like he didn’t walk out on me and leave a note. And how the hell did he get in here? He left his key.”

“Did you ever remove him from the lease? If not, the super probably gave it to him or something. What are you going to do?”

“I don’t know, dude. I want him out of my house, but he’s all moved in and making dinner! I can’t just kick him out, can I?”

She sighs and shifts on the bed. “Listen, I will support you in whatever you want to do, but you’re hurting from the situation in the mansion and sometimes, it’s easier to slip back into something that doesn’t hurt. But the distraction won’t mean you’re over it and what I think you need right now is time to heal and figure out what you want to do with your life.

“You are in a unique position. You didn’t win never-work-again money, but you did win money that will give you time to figure out what your next step is and I don’t think backsliding is it.”

“I hear you. He can’t be back for anything good, right? Either way, this is going to be a tomorrow Charlie’s problem. I just can’t deal with it right now.”

“That’s fair. Go take a shower, eat, go to bed early and figure it all out once you’re settled back in.”

“Do you want to go couch shopping tomorrow?” I ask. “The freeloader didn’t seem to bring one with him.”

She snorts. “I already took the day off. In the meantime, what are you going to do about Scott for tonight?”

“Kick him in the shin?”

“That’s definitely one way to handle it.”

“I’ll put him in the guestroom and figure it out.” The person he left is no longer the person I am. But there’s still a part of me that remembers what it was like to be with him. While our love was never an inferno that my attraction to Alec was, he was a kind, steady man I loved spending time with.

“I have no idea. It’s been weeks and I’ve not heard from Alec,” I continue. “It might be nice to split the rent with someone for the moment. Maybe we could just be roommates?”

“Girl, you just won half a million dollars! You don’t need a roommate. You’re not the poor Charlie who was moments away from having to move in with your parents. What do you want?”

“I want a new couch,” I say, avoiding her question.

“I’m going to slap you first thing when I see you tomorrow,” she promises.

“I want Alec.”

“Okay, then how are you going to get him?”

“I don’t know!”

“Well, figure it out,” she says and hangs up.

My phone is propped up on my dresser, a clip of my favorite interview of Charlie playing as I button my shirt. Lorelei made sure to plan her engagement party when I had a weekend free. As a public figure, Tank was able to secure a highly sought after hotel’s rooftop restaurant for the shindig with very little notice. I go to grab a pair of cufflinks from the drawer when sounds of a fist on my front door stop me. Moving through the house, the pounding becomes insistent. Rude, almost.

Pissed, I rip the door open.

“What—” A fist connects with my face and I sprawl on the floor of my entryway as the person makes their way into my house, shutting the door behind them. Fear at the thought of a home invasion grips me as I look up at the intruder.

“The fuck was that for?” I scream at Parker. “Holy shit, that hurt, you damn asshole!”

“That was for hurting her, which I warned you not to do.”

“So, you figured you’d come and punch me in the face?”

“You deserved it and you know it. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if that didn’t feel a little good. Pain you deserve.” He reaches a hand out to me. Unsure if he’s going to pull me up just to punch me again, I hesitate before finally taking it.

Clapping me on the back, he says, “Let’s get you some ice, buddy.”

As we move through my house, I ask, “Did you come across the country just to punch me in the face?”

Ignoring me, he looks around as we make our way to the kitchen.

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