So, I’m going to find out exactly what Kas is hiding from me because I won’t be anybody’s fool ever again.
Thirty-Four
Having sex with Kas after knowing that he’d lied to me just wasn’t an option. So, I did a little lying of my own and told him that I’d started my period.
Nothing deters a man from sex quicker than hearing that Aunt Flo has come to visit.
Not ideal, but the guy had just lied to me, and I was pissed off. He took it fine. Didn’t seem suspicious at all. He just kissed me—really sweetly in fact—and then he disappeared back into his office.
I spent a good few minutes eyeballing his office door before I started on with work of my own.
I was so caught up in it all that I didn’t even ring Cece to tell her that Kas and I had actually slept together.
But I think that’s what stung most of all. I had given all of myself to him last night, and I thought he’d given me the same in return.
How wrong was I?
I’d spent the night in his arms, and the very next morning, he looked me straight in the eyes and lied to me.
I could’ve confronted him about the lie, but I knew it would be pointless. He wouldn’t have lied to me and tried to make it like I was losing my marbles if he’d ever planned on telling me the truth.
I just don’t get it. Why lie about the existence of a door—a door that I know was there?
That’s only made me curious, which isn’t necessarily a good thing. Now, I want to know what’s behind that door—or bookcase, as it now is. My curiosity is burning, and I am going to find out.
There might be nothing there, and my search might be fruitless. But he lied about it for a reason, and I want to know that reason.
With frustration and restless energy burning through me, I bend down and tie the laces on my trainers before letting myself out of my apartment. I’m heading out for my early-morning run before work. I need to clear my head, and running is the only way to do it.
I jog down the stairs of my building and let myself out the main door. The cool morning air hits my face, nipping at my cheeks.
Letting the door close behind me, I stand there for a moment. Hands on hips, I tip my head back to face the sky, watching the clouds drift over, as I take some deep breaths of fresh air.
Steady breaths in and out.
See? I’m starting to feel better already.
“Daisy.”
My body freezes at the sound of that voice. I know that voice. I know it well.
And there goes my good feeling.
Heart pounding, I lower my head, and my eyes meet with the one person I never wanted to see again. “Jason.”
He’s standing a few feet away, and I’m glad to say he looks terrible. His eyes are bloodshot, dark rings circling them. His hair looks like it hasn’t been washed or cut since I last saw him, and his clothes are crumpled. He looks a mess.
“What are you doing here?” I’m not surprised at the level of anger in my voice.
“Daisy.” He takes a step forward.
Everything inside me screams to step away, but hatred and pride have my feet firmly set in place.
The breeze blows between us, and I get a strong whiff of alcohol.
“Are you drunk right now?” I scowl.
He lets out a low laugh. It sounds pitiful. Unsurprisingly, I can’t find a shred of sympathy for him.
“If you drink constantly, does that constitute as being drunk, or is it just your normal state?”
“I’m not in the mood for games, Jason. Why the fuck are you here?”
“That’s the first time I’ve ever heard you swear.”
“Yeah, well, prison will change a girl. Now. What. Do. You. Want?” My hands are clenched into fists at my sides.
“I just…” He softly shakes his head. “I just heard you were out, and I needed to see you. Needed to see that you were okay.”
I slap him. Hard.
The sound rings out in the silence surrounding us. And my hand stings like a bitch.
That is the first time I have ever hit anyone.
I don’t feel better for it.
My adrenaline spiked, my body is shaking, and my chest is heaving with heavy breaths, like I’ve just run a marathon.
I want to cry. And scream.
Seriously, it never rains, but it fucking pours. I fall for Kas, and he lies to me. And, the very next morning, my lying bastard of an ex turns up on my doorstep.
I have the worst luck of anyone ever.
Unfocused eyes come back to mine. “I deserved that.” His words are soft.
“You deserve more,” I grit out.
He gently nods his head, eyes unfocused.
Everything in me starts to hurt from the bad memories of what he put me through, everything I had to endure, and everything I lost because of him.
“Why, Jason?” I don’t even realize I’m crying until a tear drips off my chin. I swipe it away with the back of my hand. “I lost everything. I lost Jesse, the most important thing in my life, and he was put in a group home! A fucking group home!” My voice is rising with each enraging word I speak. “And I can’t even have him back now. I get to see him on weekends while I prove to Social Services that I’m fit to care for him. And that is all because of you!”
I shove my hands into his chest, and he stumbles back a step.
“You set me up! I went to prison because of you! And I know it was you because there was no one else it could’ve been. And seeing you here now just confirms it! And you have the fucking audacity to come here because you need to know that I’m okay? Well, no, I’m not okay!” I scream that last part. And I don’t care if I wake the whole goddamn building up. I’ve earned the right to scream.