“Nothing,” she shrugged. “I just want to ride with you.”
Lifting my eyes, I sought out Kite. He had his hands in his pockets, looking a little too pleased with himself. Squinting, I unlocked the passenger door. What game is he playing?
“Is it okay?” she asked.
“Yes,” I said, smiling at her as I climbed inside. “You can ride with me, I'd appreciate the company.”
Marina ducked her head, closing us into the vehicle and snuffing out the white noise of the city. In that tiny pocket, I was assaulted by her scent all over again.
I had a strong suspicion about why Kite looked so happy. He thinks she's won me over. Tightening my jaw, I let the engine rumble. Kite was pushing when he didn't need to. This was no longer about emotion, my feelings had played their part when I'd agreed to give Marina a chance.
Kite, you just don't get it, I thought sadly. Guiding the car over the dark roads, my headlights reflected off of every surface. But if this all falls apart...
I hope you can forgive me.
As we tore down the streets, back towards the building I called my home, I had a sickening sensation. A hard, jagged razor that swam in my guts and refused to leave.
Glancing over at the girl beside me, I saw she had the tiniest of relaxed smiles. Her eyes were wide, sparkling like fresh cider. She was more alive than any other person on Earth.
If I decided she had to die...
Would I ever forgive me?
“Jacob,” she whispered.
I looked away from her quickly. “Yes?”
The seat squeaked with her shifting weight. “What's wrong this time?”
The same thought that's plagued me since I allowed you into my heart.
Squeezing the wheel, I stared straight ahead. “Honestly, it's nothing.”
Our private pocket filled with grim air, a black mood that I should have expected. I waited for her to speak, to say a single thing that confirmed she could read my mind.
But as we made our way to the apartment... she never did.
We sat in silence, and I think, that was somehow worse.
Marina didn't need to speak. Not about this. Without disturbing a speck of air, she told me what she was thinking in that cloak of choking quiet.
Liar.
The word branded my soul.
When it came to Marina and my sanity, lies were all I had these days.
And if I was the one who was forced to sentence her to death...
They were all I would ever have.
- Chapter 32 -
Kite
––––––––
“You know,” Anabelle said, watching me load a heavy crate of glasses on top of the bar. “I have to say, it's been a little quiet in here lately. I swear, I hardly see you or Mr. Fallow anymore.”
Blinking, I reached for another case and squinted at the young woman. “What? Come on, we're still in here all the time.”
Her shrug was pretend-casual. Something was on her mind. “Not really. The past week or so, I've seen you—what? Two times, maybe? And Mr. Fallow, hell, he comes in the morning to help when he has to, but he was gone for half a week a while back.”
I cleared my throat. “Uh, yeah. Look, we've just been busy.”
“With your new girlfriend?” Her eyebrows went up, wiggling.
My grip faltered on the crate. Shoving it into place, I dusted my palms together and scowled at the bartender. “Jeez. You know I'm your boss, too, right? Why don't you treat me like you do Jacob? You'd never say that to him.”
She laughed, hands squeezing her hips. “I noticed you didn't argue with me. So that girl, what's her name? Maria?”
“Marina,” I sighed.
“Yeah. Marina. She is your girlfriend, then.” Tugging her hair, Anabelle's smile continued to grow. I knew she wanted an answer, even if she was already assuming facts. The thing was, I didn't know how to answer. What I wanted to say, what I felt, wasn't exactly smart to admit openly.
Not when I didn't know what was going to happen.
Folding my arms, I reclined on the bar and frowned. “Okay, enough of this. Finish up cleaning or whatever it is you do here.”
Lifting her hands in defense, she rolled her eyes and giggled. “'Whatever it is I do.' Right, got it. I'll stop poking the beast.” She swung her ass, overtly trying to get me to look. It was a walk down memory lane.
Those days, I'd been chasing life at the bottom of a bottle or between some soft thighs. It was a different decade, a TV show that I no longer starred in. Since Marina had come into my life, she'd replaced every urge I had with a desire for her.
Only her.
The bar was too cloistering. Needing to escape, I grabbed my coat and shoved out into the streets. Here, I could be free of being teased about my relationship with Marina.
Really, what was I going to say? Yes, I'm kind of seeing her. Jacob is, too! Go bother HIM about it, I'm sure he'll have some nice words for you. Grinning, I ruffled the back of my hair.
A voice perked up, interrupting my stroll. “Kite?”
I'd almost bumped right into her, our paths about to intersect.