I sigh, debating on my response. He texted a few times earlier, asking me to let him explain himself. I briefly replied, saying I’d talk to him about it later.

Twenty questions had been on my tongue when I walked in and saw some random woman with Lincoln, but then Quinton texted me a picture of him sprawled out on my bed. My throat burning, my stomach churning, I knew I needed to get out of there. Not only because I was worried about being sick, but I also needed to get to my house before Grace did, so I could kick Quinton out.

Yes, my heart had sunk into the pit of my stomach when I saw Lincoln with that woman, especially it being the day after he and I finally had sex. But right now, I’m not in the mood to go back and forth. All I want to do is stay in bed, binge-watch a sappy show, and sleep. We’ll discuss his stupid behavior another time.

Me: No, staying in for the night.

Lincoln: Come on. I need my sidekick.

Me: Sorry.

As bad as I want to go and take my mind off everything, I’m in pain, and there’s no hiding my bruise yet. If someone bumps into me, if someone touches me in the wrong place, I’ll wince.

Quinton wasn’t like that when we dated. Yes, after thinking back, I remember the few times he was sketchy, but I didn’t think he was dealing drugs.

Not only did I not want them to go to the police, but I also didn’t want them to beg me to tell on him, nor did I want them to assume I was involved with his little side business. Knowing my parents, they would’ve freaked out and tried to stick me in rehab.

Lincoln: Everything okay?

Me: I’m just tired.

Lincoln: See you tomorrow?

Me: See you tomorrow.

I’m not sure if that’s true.

Chapter Nineteen

Lincoln

“You’re not on the schedule tonight,” I say when Johnna, one of the bar’s waitresses, walks in.

Johnna shoves a notebook in her apron. “Cassidy asked me to cover for her.”

Dread pools through me.

I planned to talk to Cassidy tonight about what had happened. With the anger I’d had when Isla was there, surely, Cassidy had to know there is nothing between us. Not one emotion in my body feels anything but disdain for Isla. I was ready to explain everything to Cassidy, but then her phone rang. The mood in the room hadn’t been fucking rainbows, but whatever she’d read on her phone spooked her.