Page 160 of Toxic Kiss

I make sure to be as condescending as I can while the rage vibrates inside of me.

Charles’s nostrils flare, and his eyes go wide.

“I can’t believe you’d do that to me.”

“And I can’t believe that you fuck every wet hole you can find, but here we are.”

Davidson, Cy, and even the Jesus-look-alike all choke back a laugh.

“I thought after your indiscretion that you’d understand that mistakes happen,” he says, straightening his suit.

It’s like I’m seeing him for the first time through a whole new lens.

The smart, funny, self-assured but attentive guy that I met in college, with a bright future and solid family background, is all for show, like Two-Face with his coin. One side is shiny and polished, while the other is tarnished and ugly.

The shiny side has blinded me.

“Well, then I guess there is no need for me to stay,” Charles says.

“No. I guess there isn’t.”

He starts to walk away, but then stops and turns back.

“Oh, and Haven…I hate your hair. That fake red color is childish. It seems like you’re still chasing your…youth, when it’s long gone.”

“I’m only twenty-three, asshole,” I yell at his back as he leaves.

Despite the insult or the location, there is something cathartic about telling Charles off to his face. It has been brewing for a long time, and although his delivery methods need some work, I appreciate Cy finding the proof that I’ve been too blind to see.

I let out a deep breath and roll my shoulders.

“I like your hair,” Drunk Jesus says, when I look over at the other cell.

So, this is what my life has become. My gaze fixes on Cy, who is watching me with a raptor’s intensity, and I point at him.

“This is all your fault.”

chapter

forty

“Hate yourself if you want. It changes nothing. You’re still mine.” – Cyrus

CYRUS

I’ve been holding onto the hope that the cruiser ride, fingerprinting, and photos have given Haven time to calm down, but it has only riled her up more.

“Are you talking about jail or Charles?”

“Both,” she spits out.

“I know it’s my fault,” I say as she resumes pacing.

It took all my willpower not to stand up and cheer when she told Charles to fuck all the way off.

But…I’m pretty sure that I’m next.

“Are you even sorry? I’m in prison. Fucking prison.”