After logging out of the messaging app, Lisa’s thoughts turned to Maddie.
Like any good friend would do, she’d called Maddie on Thursday night to see how she was holding up. After the photos she’d sent her, Lisa had expected Maddie to say it was over between her and Keith. What woman wouldn’t kick her boyfriend to the curb after receiving pictures of him with another woman?
Evidently, Maddie.
Instead of hearing that their relationship was over, Lisa had gotten a recap of Keith’s explanation, which was the truth, and learned that things were fine between them.
Lisa made up her mind then and there. While her plan to come between Maddie and Keith might eventually work, she’d reached the end of her patience. The bitch stood in the way of her and Keith’s happiness. Unfortunately for Maddie, that meant she needed to be removed permanently from his life. And although Lisa wasn’t a violent person, she intended to make sure that happened.
Until the details were all worked out, Lisa figured maintaining their friendship was in her best interest. That was why, before ending their conversation, she’d asked Maddie if she’d go with her to see the new Anderson Brady movie this weekend. Even before she brought it up, Lisa had expected a no. The woman had spent most of the week in New York City. Doing precisely what, Lisa didn’t know, although Maddie had mentioned it was for work. She’d want to spend the weekend with Keith, not her. And Lisa didn’t blame her.
However, she hadn’t anticipated learning that Maddie and Keith were heading to Maine for a wedding. And if any doubt had remained regarding what she needed to do, finding out they were going on vacation together erased it.
Even though she’d moved on to plan B, Lisa saw no reason to stop sending Keith messages so he knew she was thinking of him. After all, everyone liked to know the person they loved was thinking of them when they weren’t together. And since it’d been a few days since her last message and Maddie and Keith were together, tonight had seemed like the perfect time to send the little present she’d made last weekend. Unfortunately, she had no way of knowing if the bitch had been in the room when he watched. But Lisa hoped she had been.
She heard her cousin’s bedroom door open and then close. Not long after, Shawn walked into the kitchen. He hadn’t bothered to pull on a shirt, and a sheen of sweat covered his chest and stomach. Her stepbrother had an incredible body, and if he was half as good as Keith in bed, she couldn’t fault Nicole for screwing Shawn whenever he called.
“Thanks for ordering the food. What did you end up getting?” Shawn asked, crossing the room to the refrigerator.
She’d only received a yes from Nicole and Shawn when she asked if they wanted her to add anything to her order for them. But Shawn ate almost anything, and she knew what her cousin usually ordered from Brando’s Pizza.
“Pizzas and Brando’s appetizer sampler. Did you get a new tattoo?”
She didn’t think there was anything hotter than a guy with tattoos. Unfortunately, Keith only had one. At least, that was the case right now. Once they got back together, she’d convince him to get more. However, Shawn had eight or nine different tattoos on various parts of his body. Her favorite was the wolf on his left shoulder—or at least, it always had been. She liked the Celtic cross now on his upper back even more.
“Yeah, about a month ago.”
Beer in hand, Shawn opened the takeout container on the table and pulled out a mozzarella stick. “I saw Jeremy at the gym this morning. He told me he saw you last night.”
“Yeah, I stopped by his place. He’s going to help me with a problem.”
Her stepbrother didn’t need a detailed explanation. Shawn was the one who’d introduced her to Jeremy the last time she needed help to get rid of a problem.
Nodding, Shawn lifted the beer toward his mouth. “He’s good at that.”
“Who are we talking about?” Nicole asked, joining them.
“Jeremy. I saw him last night. He’s going to stop by either Tuesday or Wednesday.”
Nicole held up her hand for a high five. “It’s about time you moved on. Let me know when he’s coming over, and I’ll make sure I’m out.”
Already planned to.“Will do.”
She’d let Nicole believe what she wanted. Soon enough, her cousin would see that she was with Keith again.
Nicole checked inside both pizza boxes and then got a beer from the refrigerator. “Do you care which one we take with us?”
“I ordered the spinach and feta one for myself.”
“I like the Hawaiian better anyway.” Nicole snagged a chicken wing from the sampler and picked up the pizza box. “See you later.”
She wasn’t even through her second slice of pizza when the sound of Nicole moaning reached her again. Immediately her brain conjured up memories, and raw need spread through her body. Just like last night, she’d have to satisfy her body now. But soon, Keith would be the one doing it.