“You don’t have to lie to me.”
The sympathy on her face irritates me to no end. The same way all the finger-pointing and hushed whispers has in the aftermath of Vivien’s departure. Since those pics of her with Reeve went viral, everyone on the scene now knows who she is and how she left me behind for a rich Hollywood star. The groupies are hitting on me left and right, desperate to reconnect now I’m single again. But I have zero interest in any of them, and I’ve rejected every advance.
“I’d feel like a complete fool too if some bitch had played me like that,” Aoife continues.
“Don’t call her that,” I snap before leaning in and giving my order to the barman. I deliberately don’t order Aoife a drink. She’s been sniffing around me constantly since the night Viv lefteven though I was a complete asshole to her and treated her like shite.Has she no self-respect?
“How can you defend her after what she did to you?” Her eyes harden as she folds her arms around her chest and stares at me. “She showed up here professing her undying love and then went home and fucked her ex like you never meant anything to her. She was lying the whole time! That bullshit act she put on proves she’s her mother’s daughter. You should be super mad. How dare that fucking slut treat you like that, and for the record, you’re way sexier than Reeve Lancaster.”
No way am I letting her think that crap about Vivien. “Viv never lied. I’ve known all along who she is and who her ex was, like I’ve always known she was going back to L.A. at the end of the summer. Vivien hasn’t done anything wrong. We broke up, and she’s free to do what she wants.” It kills me to say those words, but I won’t have Aoife spreading bullshit about her to further her own agenda.
“You’re unbelievable, Dil.” She shakes her head as predictable tears well in her eyes. “I’ve been nothing but loyal to you for so long, and you treat me like trash! I love you!”
“Bullshit. If you loved me, you’d never have fucked my friends. You love the scene and the bragging rights.” Ash was right all along about Aoife, and I was an idiot for not seeing it.
“You’re so wrong, Dillon. Have you any idea how much you’ve hurt me?” A few tears spill out of her eyes and roll down her cheeks.
I barely resist an eye roll.How did I ever put up with her dramatics?She’s fucking exhausting. “Do I look like I care?”
“You should, you prick.”
She’s bristling with rage now, and I’d like to say I care, but I really don’t. I just want her out of my face.
Her nostrils flare as she spews the rest of her poison. “As soon as Miss Stuck-up-her-own-arse Yank shows up, you ditchme for her like I never existed, and I didn’t call you out on it. I loyally stood by, waiting for the bitch to fuck off, and when she does, she shits all over you, and you fucking defend her? Why the fuck would you do that?”
“Because I love her!” I hiss in her face. “I love her, and I won’t let you or Breda or any other skank disrespect Vivien by spreading lies.”
“Skank?” Her eyes narrow dangerously.
I pay the barman and slide the tray off the counter. “If the shoe fits, Aoife.”
“Fuck you, Dil.”
“No thanks. I’d rather cut my dick off than put it anywhere near you again.”
Her hands ball into fists at her side, and I do believe she wants to punch me. Maybe she’s finally got the message that I don’t want her. Never have and never will. “I hope you never get her back. I hope she marries him and leaves you to rot because you deserve it.” She waggles her finger in my face. “And I lied. Reeve Lancaster is way sexier than you.”
“Get the fuck out of my face, slut.”
She smirks. “The truth hurts, huh, Dil?”
“Not as much as being fucking barred will,” I retort, loving how her face drops as realization dawns.
We might be leaving for America soon, but I’ll make sure Aoife gets what’s coming to her before I go.
No one gets to insult Vivien and get away with it.
At least not on my watch.
47
AGE 20
“Pinch me.” Ash thrusts her arm out as she surveys the outdoor area of our new rented house in the Hollywood Hills with awe-widened eyes. “We have a fucking pool, jacuzzi, and outdoor kitchen, Dil.” Her eyes are twinkling as she looks up at me. “What even is this life?”
I press a kiss to the top of her head. “I know. It’s fucking insane.”
“I’m so glad to be out of the hotel and to have our own space.”
