I want to run. I need to run. But I did that last time, and it did not work out well. Instead I stand my ground and force myself to take a deep breath. “Yeah, Reece? Who am I?”
He lifts a shoulder. “Lucy, this is my new roommate. Pam, Lucy. My best friend’s little sister.”
I let out a crazed laugh, not sure which one hurts more. The fact that he’s living with this girl when he can’t even be bothered to send me a text message, or the fact that I’ve just been deliberately, summarily dismissed as Craig’s sister.
He couldn’t be more clear. We’re nothing to each other, connected only by an annoying tie to his best friend and my brother.
I don’t cry. Thank God, I don’t cry.
Instead I lift my chin and sadly meet his eyes. “You win, Reece. I give up, and you win.”
Chapter 39
LUCY, EIGHTEEN, REECE, NINETEEN
“Reece?” Lucy called, knocking once before opening the front door to the tiny house where Reece and his dad lived. “I got your text. Sorry I’m late.”
No response. Lucy stuck her head into the kitchen, making sure that Reece’s dad wasn’t there with his usual beer in hand. Nope. Must still be at work.
Lucy pushed away the thought that wondered how long Jeff Sullivan would keep this job.
“Reece?” Lucy asked again, heading down the dark hallway with its ugly yellowed carpet that led to Reece’s bedroom.
His door was open a crack, and Lucy gave it a push, an expectant smile already on her face. She’d thought they could grab something to eat, but if they had the house to themselves…
Maybe they could have a repeat of last night.
Lucy was confident she’d be better at it the second time. Not that the first time had been anything less than perfect.
Her thoughts scattered as she tried to process the scene in her head.
Reece.
Not alone.
A blond girl was plastered against him, her hands cupping his face as Lucy had the night before, and the girl was making breathy moaning noises as they kissed.
Lucy let out a choked noise, and Reece and the girl broke apart.
The blonde spun around, revealing the all too familiar face of Abby Mancuso.
“Oh hi, Lucy!” Abby said with a sheepish smile. “It’s nice to see you again.”
That hurt the worst. That Abby didn’t even have a clue that Lucy and Reece were together. Nobody did.
Because they weren’t anything.
Lucy forced herself to meet Reece’s eyes, wondering if there was anything he could possibly say to make this okay.
But it didn’t occur to her that he wouldn’t say anything. He just stared at her.
“Reece?” she whispered.
His gaze flickered then, but instead of coming toward her, he drove the knife deeper.
He reached for Abby, his hand touching his ex-girlfriend’s waist protectively.