Page 74 of Counting On You

“That’s it.” I knock on the divider.

The glass slides down.

“You’ve taken us far enough,” I say to the driver. “Stop the car.”

“What are you doing, Kade?” Vicky asks between laughs. “Are you going to throw me out? Because if you are, make sure to give me one of those bottles to last me through the night.”

The car halts. I grab Vicky’s hand, her bag, and pull her out of the car. She doesn’t put up much of a fight but keeps laughing as I tip the driver.

“You’re making too much noise,” I whisper. “I need you to keep quiet before someone notices us.”

“What the hell?” The limousine speeding off seems to sober her. “How are we supposed to get home?”

“Quite simple. We walk.” I sling her handbag over my shoulder and wonder what the fuck she’s carrying in there.

“I’m not walking.” As if to prove her point, she stomps her foot and stands her ground.

Sighing, I turn to her. “You’ll have to because there’s no way in hell I’m carrying you.” I point up the winding street and the lights shimmering in the distance. The sun will rise soon. It’s only a matter of time until everyone’s up. “That’s a twenty-minute walk. We can make it in fifteen if you can keep up with me. The fresh air will help you calm down a bit.”

“I’m calm,” she protests.

“No, you’re not.” Our eyes lock in a fierce battle. For such a small person, she sure knows how to stand her ground.

The moonlight is shining on us, bathing her in a silver glow. It looks like her whole being is encased in fire and her red hair is a burning mane. For a moment, I’m honestly convinced that I’ve got things under control when she starts giggling again.

“It was a mistake to bring you along.” I start to walk, not waiting for her to follow.

The air’s cooled noticeably. The night’s as silent as a grave; the only sound is the thumping of her footsteps. I hasten my pace because I can hear her getting closer, catching up with me.

“Talk to me, Kade.”

So close to the rehab center. I can’t have her in hysterics again, so I keep quiet.

“Are you still angry with Bruce?” she asks. “I don’t think he’s ready yet. That’s all. We’re going through a rough patch. It won’t last forever.”

We’re back to square one.

I shake my head grimly and keep going. “True love isn’t about two people fighting an uphill battle right from the beginning of their relationship. Everyone who’s been married for a long time will tell you that. That’s not you two. I’m sorry, but you know it’s true.”

“I love him, Kade.” She sounds so desperate to believe her own lie, I want to turn around and kiss the life out of her until she realizes that nothing she feels for that asshole even remotely resembles love.

“Who are you fooling?” I ask instead.

“Who the hell are you to question my feelings?”

She’s getting angry again.

“I’m the man who cares about you.” I stop and turn sharply. She comes dangerously close to bumping into me. Even though there’s no need, I wrap my arm around her waist, pulling her close enough to feel her breath on my lips. “Like it or not, I’m the only one who’s honest with you.”

Her eyes narrow, but she doesn’t pull away. “Honest about what?”

“You think you’re in love with him, but the truth is that you’re deluding yourself. You deserve someone better.”

She cocks her head. “How would a sex addict know?”

“What? You think I was never in love?”

“I don’t think someone like you is capable of loving.” Her eyes widen and she takes a step back, as though shocked by her own remark.

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