Poison & Wine - Melissa Toppen Page 0,40

me expectantly, waiting for my response.

“You know what I mean, Oakley. Jace. What’s your plan with Jace?”

“Honestly, I don’t know,” I admit truthfully.

It’s strange, having him so close and yet barely seeing him at all. I’ve purposely been avoiding him, which is counterproductive to why I asked him to stay with me in the first place. Wasn’t the point so I could be there for him? Yet, other than dropping off a few things here and there, I’ve basically avoided him like the plague.

It’s just too confusing. All of it. I still haven’t wrapped my head around the fact that he’s back in my life, or if I even want him to be. Sure, my life was missing something without him, but it was also easier, simpler.

“It’s been five days, Oakley. He can’t stay with you forever.”

“It’s been only five days. That’s no time at all. He just lost his brother, Kiera. What am I supposed to do, kick him out the day of the service?” I toss my hands up in frustration.

“The sooner you do it, the easier it will be for all parties involved.”

“Look, I get that you’re worried about me, and I love you for that, but this isn’t up to you.”

“You’re not thinking clearly. You never do when Jace is involved. You’ve said so yourself. So if I have to be your voice of reason, so be it. Even if it pisses you off.”

“So is that why you told Lance? Because you were being my voice of reason?” I narrow my gaze at her. “For someone that’s trying to help, you’re doing a damn good job of making things worse.”

“I’m sorry, okay. I didn’t go to work with the intention of telling him. But then he cornered me in the breakroom, said that things felt weird between you two. I said you had a lot going on right now and he pressed. You know how persistent he can be.”

“That’s still no excuse.”

“Maybe you’re right. I overstepped and for that I apologize. But I won’t apologize for trying to talk some sense into you. Someone has to.”

“Did he tell you we broke up?” I cut in.

“He did.” Her voice goes quiet. “He’s pretty torn up over it. But I reassured him that once Jace is gone, things will get back to normal.”

“Why would you tell him that?”

“Because they will.”

“I know you’ve been rooting for me and Lance from the beginning. Hell, you’re the one that pushed me to date him. But… I don’t know. I don’t think he’s the right guy for me. I think maybe this breakup was for the best.”

“Because of Jace?” she bites.

“No, because of me. I’ve known it for a long time now. I just didn’t want to admit it to myself because he really is a great guy.”

“If he’s such a great guy then why are you letting him go?”

“As I said, I don’t think he’s the right guy for me. Something was missing.”

“And you expect me to believe this has nothing to do with your ex?”

“It doesn’t. Yes, maybe him being here sped up the process, but it was bound to happen eventually.”

She crosses her arms in front of herself. “What is going on with you?”

“Nothing is going on with me. It’s just… things are complicated right now.”

“Complicated,” she states flatly. “As in you’ve got your drug addict ex-boyfriend living in your garage while you’re hiding his daughter inside, hoping he doesn’t find out she exists. God, I sound like a lunatic even saying it out loud.”

“I just need to get through these next few days. Things will get back to normal… Eventually.”

“Eventually? You mean after Jace finds out about Ellie and figures out a way to worm his way into your life permanently?”

“Would that be so bad?” My voice gets higher.

“Um, he’s a drug addict that nearly killed you in a car accident. Yeah, it would be that bad. What if he relapses? What if next time it’s Ellie in the car with him? You can’t trust an addict.”

“Do you really believe I would allow that to happen? You know me. You know how much I love my daughter. I would die for her without a moment’s hesitation. But Jace being in her life doesn’t mean I would just let him take her.”

“You can’t be serious. Are you actually considering telling him about her?”

“Yes. No. I don’t know.” I sigh. “A part of me wonders if it wouldn’t be what he needs. Something to live for. Something bigger than himself.”

“What

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