Picking Up the Pieces (Pieces, #2)(18)

“So, what did you tell loverboy you were doing tonight? Since I’m sure you haven't suddenly developed a penchant for truth-telling in the past five months, I bet you came up with something interesting.” I hadn’t even thought about Adam until this moment. I was sure they had worked things out, but I hadn’t dwelled on it. And I’d been so consumed with thoughts of her for the past couple of weeks, that he hadn’t sparked a single moment of brain activity. Until now. Because now, I was bordering on rage, and the thought of him with Lily amplified it. I was starting to feel like Carrie at the prom, capable of wiping out every living being in this bar if it would make me feel better.

She drew back a little at my comment, and stared at me as though she were trying to figure something out. “Why would I tell him anything?” I could hear the caution in her voice.

She’s probably worried I’m having us filmed so that I can send him the footage. Damn. That actually would’ve been a good idea. “I guess you wouldn’t. Lying by omission is probably preferable to lying outright.”

“He doesn’t care where I am, Max. I have no reason to lie. I haven’t even spoken to him since April.”

Wait . . . What did she just say? “You’re not with Adam?” My question had sounded more eager than I’d meant for it to.

She shook her head slowly as her eyes bore into me.

“Oh,” I said flippantly. “I guess I just assumed you were still together.” I didn’t want her to know how thrown I was by this information. I wasn’t exactly sure how I felt about it, but I definitely felt something. Relief maybe?

“Why the hell would you assume that? After the shit you pulled, what would ever make you think that he’d want to see me again?” She leaned slightly toward me, making it clear that she had no intention of backing down.

“The shit that I pulled?” My voice was louder and strained as I tried to resist the urge to scream at her. “You’re f*cking delusional, you know that? Everything that happened was shit you set in motion. He doesn’t want to talk to you because he isn't interested in associating with deceitful liars who f*ck people over for the fun of it.” I knew that calling her a liar again would piss her off even more, but I didn’t care.

I waited for her to run away sobbing like a typical girl would have. But as she looked me up and down in disgust, I remembered why I had always been so drawn to Lily. She wasn’t like typical girls.

“I’m not the only one who f*cks people over for fun, you selfish prick. You knew where we stood from day one. I lied to Adam; you’re right about that. So I deserve every hateful word he would ever hurl at me. Not that he ever would, because unlike you, he’s not a spoiled child. But, you? You were complicit every second. I never lied to you. And you were a willing accomplice in Operation Fuck Over Adam. So don’t you dare sit there and act like you're better than me, you piece of shit, because you aren’t.”

I’m not sure how the tension in our postures, the clear agitation on our faces, or the venom in our voices could be in any way inviting to a stranger, but evidently it was because I suddenly felt a soft tap on my shoulder. I whirled around and saw a cute redhead standing behind me.

“Excuse me,” the interloper purred. “Could you get the bartender’s attention for me?”

“Sure thing, doll.” I let one corner of my lip lift in a half smile. The girl no doubt thought that the smile was my way of flirting, and in a way, she was right. But it was mostly because I knew how badly it would hurt Lily to hear me call someone else doll. It may even kill her. And right then, that was what I needed. I needed her to hurt like I did. If I had been in my right mind, I may have noticed how acidic my tongue tasted as the word left my mouth. Even my body knew that term would only ever apply to one person. But I had left my right mind behind three insults ago and it wasn’t coming back anytime soon.

The bartender took the woman’s order and then walked away. I kept my eyes on her seductively, luring her in for the kill.

“You look really familiar. Have we met before?” she asked as she held the straw to her mouth.

I loved these coy games women played. No doubt someone she was with had recognized me, and she had jumped at the chance to don her best f*ck-me expression and hustle right on over here. And her timing couldn’t have been more impeccable. I’d have to f*ck her extra well for that. “I don’t think so. But I’m glad we’re meeting now, doll. I’m Max.” As I held out my hand to her, I heard the stool on the other side of me push back. I knew the second “doll” would get her.

“I’m certainly glad to see you haven’t changed, Max. Now I don’t have to feel guilty for wishing that your sorry ass gets hit by a f*cking train on the way home. And hopefully that bitch is with you when it happens.” Lily grabbed her purse and started toward the exit.

But the redhead wasn’t willing to let Lily’s comment slide. “Guess some girls can’t handle it when something better comes along and takes a man’s attention.”

The anger immediately left me and was replaced by amusement as I watched Lily stop dead in her tracks and turn back toward us with menacing slowness. My eyes darted between the two women. Oh, this is going to be good.

I sat back a little so that I wasn’t in the direct line of fire.

“Better? Really? Because desperate women who approach men instead of being approached are always the better option.” Lily was trying to remain cool, but I could see the tightness in her shoulders. She was ready to pounce on this chick.