Page 57 of Kayden: The Past
“Huh?” She had a look of surprise on her face.
“Your phone.”
“Oh, no. I was just checking to see if I had any messages.” She sipped again and fidgeted a little. I knew bullshit when I saw it.
“Looked like more than that.” I eyed her, watching her reaction carefully.
“Nope.” She turned around, so I couldn’t read her face.
I wouldn’t press her any further. I’d wait for the drink to work its magic. I checked my watch and thanked the gods when I realized midnight was only ten minutes away. I felt like I was counting down the minutes until my release from prison. In a way, I was. Lisa’s presence had started to feel like a stint in solitary confinement.
Lisa finished her drink right before midnight. Her body swayed as she shouted out the last couple of seconds in the countdown, following the lead of the crowd. I stood there silently and watched the world celebrate the coming new year.
“Happy New Year’s, Kayden,” she said as she hiccupped.
“You too, Lisa.” I smiled at her. I had plans for this year, and they didn’t include her. My year began with saying good-bye to my past and wiping the slate clean.
She leaned forward on her tippy-toes to kiss me, but I turned my face and gave her my cheek. “Can I kiss your lips?” she asked in my ear.
“No, not tonight,” I said. Lisa’s eyes were dilated, and the look on her face told me that the alcohol had done the trick.
We stayed in the Square for another hour and celebrated with the crowd. A band played, and people began to leave and filter into the French Quarter. I wanted to go home and crawl into bed. Sleep would help the hours pass quicker.
I knew by her actions that there was someone else in her life that evening. I knew I was being played and that she only wanted money. She enjoyed a free trip to New Orleans and left with a pocketful of cash. You don’t go through two relationships ending in infidelity and not know the signs. She may have been honest when she said she wanted to get back together, but her devious actions and hiding her phone told me she had an ulterior motive. Lisa was a user and always would be. I may have been a drunk, but I never used her for anything, ever.
That night, she passed out as soon as her head hit the pillow. I pushed her to the edge of the bed as far away from me as possible. I didn’t want her sleeping against me. I set my phone alarm for eight o’clock since her flight would take off around eleven. That left only three hours for her to get ready and make it to the airport. No time for sex, fighting, or anything. I just wanted to say good-bye.
I droveher to the airport and stopped the truck outside Departures. “Aren’t you going to walk me in?” she asked.
“Why would I?” I leaned against the driver’s door with my hand on the steering wheel and stared at her.
“’Cause you’re supposed to. How can we say good-bye in your beat-up truck?”
“It’s easy… Bye,” I said curtly.
She rolled her eyes. “That’s it, huh? No hug, kiss, or I love you?”
“No, Lisa. I told you we weren’t getting back together. We’re over, and it’s time for you to go before you miss your flight.” I pushed the door lock button to make sure she could open her door without a problem and maybe to give her a hint that it was time to hit the road.
“I see you’re still an asshole, Kayden.”
“Good-bye, Lisa. I’ll send the payments to the probation department each month but nothing extra. Don’t call me again for money.”
“I didn’t call you for money. I wanted to see you. I wanted to try us again.”
“There is no us, babe. You got what you came for and maybe something extra. Go back to your boyfriend.”
She squinted at me, her eyes throwing daggers in my direction. “Just make sure that check is there on time. I’d hate for you to violate your probation and be arrested again.”
“It’ll be there. You can bet your ass I’m not spending another night in jail because of you. You’re going to miss your flight.” I looked at my watch, not wanting to spend another minute trapped in a small space with her.
She opened the door, crawled out, and slammed it behind her. I pulled away and didn’t look back. She was out of my life. I wouldn’t be free of her until my debt was paid in full, but I’d take my sweet-ass time doing it.
Lisa never shipped a thing to me as she’d promised. I knew her offer was too good to be true. She’d dangled a prize in front of my eyes, and like a fool, I reached for it and gave her the cash she asked for. I could’ve easily filled my closet with five hundred dollars in clothing, but I wanted my things—lesson learned. I always seemed to learn the hard way. Lisa was out of my life, and I could move on. The ladies of New Orleans needed me, wanted me, and I was in the mood to share.
