Victoria pulls down the vanity mirror and grabs some lipstick out of her purse and reapplies it before fixing her hair. For the most part, when we’re alone, we barely talk because we don’t have anything in common. I’ve never been able to afford her jet-setting lifestyle. The only time I travel is to find criminals, and it’s hardly ever pleasurable. A hard day for her is having a massage appointment canceled at the last minute or when the upscale bar she frequents runs out of her favorite liquor. Victoria’s a spoiled brat who’s used to getting her way, and it’s all she’s ever known. Her daddy has made sure of it.
I pull in behind my truck and turn off the engine. Victoria looks at the house, then back at me. “This is where you live?”
I nod and notice the disgusted expression on her face.
“We’re going to need to buy a house for when I visit,” she whines. But that’s where I draw the line.
“I’m not moving,” I snap. “I appreciate everything you’ve done so far, but that’s just too much.”
She grins, then opens the door. “We’ll see.”
I pound my fist against the steering wheel, temporarily losing control. Getting out of the vehicle, I hurry and grab our bags, then unlock the front door. We walk in, and she looks around, judging everything about the place I call home. The décor, the carpet, the furniture. I can see the disdain on her face.
“It’s going to be a long four nights, isn’t it?” She’s not amused, though what did she really expect? I don’t live at the fucking Four Seasons.
I don’t give her the attention she’s craving. “I hope this is worth it to you.”
“Oh, it will be, baby. More than worth it. I’d sleep in a Motel 8 for a week if it was necessary to convince my dad. Not that this place is much better, but it’ll do. Show me to our bedroom.”
I climb the stairs with her heavy ass suitcase in tow, and she follows me. Opening the door, I lead her inside, and she looks around expressionless. “And the bathroom?”
“At the end of the hallway,” I tell her. She walks past me and makes her way there, and I follow her. “At least the shower is big.”
I suck in a deep breath and know this is her version of slumming it. Hell, if I lived her lifestyle, I’d think the same thing too, but this is home for me. I’ve made enough memories under this roof to last a lifetime, so I’m slightly offended.
Victoria leads the way back, then lays her luggage on the bed and starts unpacking her expensive wardrobe and makeup. After I clear space on my dresser for her items, she moves the clothes around in my closet for hers. Once she’s put everything away, she announces she’s going to take a shower.
I take a few minutes and text Tyler.
Liam: So I brought Victoria home to meet everyone this weekend. I fucking hate myself right now.
Tyler: I guess things didn’t go over well with one particular person?
I told him all about Maddie and our history together, and how this arrangement with Victoria would destroy her. Even explained how I’ve tried to stay away from Maddie but our connection continues to bring us together. And how this will undoubtedly put a stop to everything.
Liam: Not exactly. I’ll text or call after the Fourth of July to give an update when Victoria is gone. Hopefully neither woman has murdered me in my sleep by then.
Tyler: I got your back, brother. Just say the word if you need me to put out a hit for a sassy, uptight queen bee.
Liam: You sound like the mob…
Tyler: I’m way smarter ;)
I chuckle, then delete our messages to be safe. Having one person to vent to about all this crazy bullshit helps keep me sane, but it doesn’t change anything. Life still fucking sucks and so does being Victoria’s peasant.
While she’s showering, I hear car doors slam outside. I go to my window and see Sophie, Mason, and Maddie.
“Fuck,” I whisper when I see Maddie’s jaw locked tight. The woman is scary when she’s mad, but Sophie might have her beat. Someone climbs the stairs, and moments later, Sophie’s barging into my room wearing a scowl with no regard to what I could’ve been doing in here.
“What the hell, Liam? What do you think you’re doing?” She walks forward and pushes me with all her weight.
I take a step back. “What? What’d I do?”
She narrows her eyes at me. “I don’t believe this for one fucking minute,” she whisper-hisses. “You’re not fooling anyone, especially not me.”
If she can see through it, can everyone else? I’m determined to squash her suspicions. “It’s so hard to believe that I’ve fallen in love and found the woman who makes me happy?” I snap at her. “That’s pretty fucked up, Soph. Even for you.”