Page 22 of Heat & Deceit
I’m fucking trying, though.
“I’m fine.” I slip on a cool, unaffected mask. “Randal is waiting for me.”
“Hmm.” Javier moves back, and I walk out from behind the desk and toward the door. “Hey, Carmine?”
I turn.
“I don’t like liars.”
Six
NOVA
I don’t like liars.
Those words haunt me for the next three days while I work. Everything I am is a lie. Every morning, I wake up and breathe deceit. Every time I deny my heat by taking a pill to keep it away, I lie to myself about who I really am. Every inch of skin I slather with scent-blocking lotion conceals the truth.
I knew what my life would be like the moment I asked the Hell Hounds to help me get into rehab and start over. I knew what I’d be giving up—myself. This is the first time since I left Dolin that I wish I could be honest with someone about who I am.
But I can’t.
My secrecy is necessary. Before I went to rehab, my old pack tried to hunt me down, claiming that since Curtis died, I technically belonged to them. If they get out of jail, they’ll try to find me. The fake identity, the scent blockers, the heat suppressants, thelies—they’re who I am. They’re who I have to be.
They’re everything Javier hates.
The morning shifts at Tranquility are so busy, there isn’t much time to breathe, let alone find myself alone with Javier. He’s been managing the shop in Tabitha’s absence. Placing orders, running errands, and going to the bank. Randal is the de facto shift lead, since he’s been here the longest, but that doesn’t bother me.
I’m in the middle of restocking the fridge before the late morning rush when Randal gets a phone call. He checks with me before stepping into the back to answer it. A few minutes later, he rushes over to me.
“I have to go.”
I grab the empty pump container. “Is everything okay?” I ask before scanning the room for customers. Other than a few people working at tables, slowly sipping their morning brew and staring at their laptops, we’re in the clear.
“My sister is in the hospital.”
“Oh, no.” I hold the plastic bottle against my apron. “Is she...” I don’t want to be nosy.
“She’s fine. Well, embarrassed more than anything, but fine. She lost a clit teaser inside of herself.”
Come again?
“What did you say?”
Randal scrunches his face. “She lost a tiny vibrator in her channel.”
“Don’t call it a channel.” How does one even lose such a thing inside of themselves?
“The hospital won’t let her leave without a ride, so I have to go.”
I nod. “Go. I’ll cover for you.”
He shakes his head. “I already told Javier. Well, I told him about her being in the hospital but not why. He’s coming to help you.”
“I don’t need help.”
Randal gives me a look. “The late morning rush is too much formeto handle.” He narrows his eyes but sighs. “I want to ask you a bunch of questions, but I have to go. There are cunts to be saved.” He whispers the last part.
This time, I giggle, and he nudges me but quickly straightens when Javier steps through the supply room door. Randal shoots me an inquisitive look before taking off to save his sister. Javier watches him leave, then flicks his gaze to meet mine.
