The Complication by Suzanne Young

Author:Suzanne Young
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Simon Pulse

CHAPTER ELEVEN

AFTER NATHAN LEAVES, I GO sit on one of the chairs, and Nicole’s boyfriend—husband, I decide when I see his wedding ring—comes to sit in a chair one down from me. He watches Marie and Nicole talk, their voices quieter. He’s intense, like at any second he’ll jump up to defend his wife.

“The picture was one he found in storage,” Marie says. “He had no idea it was connected to you. He didn’t remember.”

I can’t believe she won’t tell her. I don’t know the reason, but I refuse to sit here and let it happen. I won’t be her accomplice. Not anymore.

“She’s lying,” I call out, and they all turn to me.

“Stay out of this, Tatum,” Marie says harshly.

“No,” I tell her defiantly, and then turn to Nicole. “Your dad,” I say. “He did remember. He told me the first time I was here that his daughter took that picture.” I motion to where it hangs on the wall. “And before he died, he asked Marie to call you.” My eyes drift to Marie, and she crosses her arms over her chest, her expression pleading for me to be quiet. “She told him no,” I finish.

Nicole turns on her fiercely. “Why would you do that?” she demands, hurt in her voice. “Why wouldn’t you let him talk to me?” Marie doesn’t answer, and Nicole tightens her jaw. “It’s time to stop bullshitting me, Marie! You can’t really think I’m this stupid.”

Marie watches her, softening, and shakes her head. “Of course I know you’re not stupid.” The kindness in her voice seems to annoy Nicole more than anything.

“Then tell me what the fuck was going on here,” Nicole says.

The phone on the desk rings. Marie glances at it and then back to Nicole. “I need to take that in my office,” she says briskly. “Wait here.”

Nicole tilts her head as if asking if she’s serious, and Marie darts her gaze between Nicole and Deacon before pulling open the door for the back offices. When she’s gone, Nicole looks at Deacon in disbelief.

“Not much changes,” he says.

“Apparently not,” Nicole replies. “Marie lies as easily as she breathes.”

Nicole sits in the chair between me and Deacon and presses her palms together before bringing them to her lips, staring at the office door. Lost in a thought. It’s almost like she forgets she’s not alone.

I cross my legs to get more comfortable, and she jumps and looks over at me.

She smiles politely, embarrassed that she drifted away. “Thank you,” she says. “For calling her out. I’ve found it’s the best method to deal with her constant deceit.”

“I’m really sorry about your dad,” I tell her.

At the mention of him, her blue eyes begin to water, and she lowers her gaze to the floor. “I’ve been a grief counselor for the last few years,” she says. “And I’ve worked with grieving parents most of my life.” She looks at me, tears running over the light freckles on her cheeks. “And you know the one

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.