The double doors behind me open and I look up to see Jackie.
“Hey,” she says.
I roll my eyes and take another drink.
She takes up the spot next to me sitting cross-legged. “Did you and Miss Perfect breakup?”
“Nope. Maybe. None of your business.”
“Well you lasted longer than I thought you would.”
I look over at her and laugh. “You really are clueless.”
She leans into me and presses her mouth against mine.
I shove her back by her shoulder. “What the fuck was that?”
“Well I thought you know.” She shrugs and licks her lips.
I wipe my mouth and push up from the ground. The liquor bottle falls over spilling and leaking between the cracks of the deck. I flick my cigarette over the railing. My hand hurts and I miss Liri.
Jackie curves an arm around my waist. “Come on. For old times.” She smiles at me, teeth sinking into her bottom lip.
“I don’t think so.” I move away from her, but she moves to follow me. “Stay away from me.”
“I won’t tell your girlfriend.” She pouts and rubs her hand over my crotch. “I’ll just blow you.” Jackie drops to her knees and when she puts a hand to my zipper, I grab her wrist.
“I said no,” I growl and go back inside. I can hear Jackie laughing behind me like the stupid bitch that she is.
I don’t belong here anymore. I go back to my car and start it up. I need to go home and apologize to Liri. She was right though—I fuck up constantly and expect her to say okay and let me back in. It doesn’t mean I am ready to forgive my father but maybe I can try to see how things go.
I get halfway home when the blue lights start flashing behind me.
Fuck.
Chapter 42
Liri
I wake up with a stiff neck and look around. I’m still in the hallway siting up against the door. Great. Killian isn’t back, and I have no idea where he is. I’m tired, hungry, and I need to pee. I try the doorknob even though I don’t expect it to open. It doesn’t. I can hear the birds starting to chirp outside which means it is now morning and Killian never came home last night. I don’t know what to do. If my car is unlocked, I have a spare key in my glovebox. Not the best place for it but it’s whatever at the moment.
I get down to the lobby when Killian slumps through the door. He looks terrible but his hand is stitched up at least. At first, he doesn’t see me but then when he does, he hangs his head back down.
“Do you have your door key?”
“Yeah, why?”
“Oh, I don’t know because I got locked out last night when I went to take the trash out, and I slept in the hallway propped up against our door all night. Where were you?”
“I was in jail,” he tells me softly.
“What the hell, Killian. I was worried about you.” I shove at his chest and his arms go around me.
“I’m sorry. I fucked up.” He kisses the top of my hair, and I pull away from him because I am still angry with him.
“Just let me in the apartment. I’m tired and hungry.” He nods and we get into the elevator together. “You smell like an ashtray.” I fold my arms across my chest.
“I’m not going to fight with you, Liri. I’ve had a hell of a night so can you save it for later.”