Page 58 of Lie with Me
“What the fuck?” I bellow in the hallway.
Tara looks at me pleadingly. “Please, just go inside. I’ll explain everything inside.” She opens her apartment door, and all three of us enter. I realize this is the first time I’ve seen where she lives. Her apartment is the size of a shoebox. A studio with just enough room for a bed and a small loveseat. It’s clean, though, and decorated nicely in whites and purples and greens. It feels very Tara—vibrant and warm.
She lies down on the bed as if she’s just been through war.
“Are you going to tell me what happened?” I ask heated.
“Wouldn’t you like introductions first?” she responds with her eyes closed. “My mother always taught me introductions were important,” she rambles.
I roll my eyes. “CJ Carmichael.” I put my hand out.
“Philly De Blasio.” We shake.
“Happy?” Philly asks her, clearly annoyed. I’m missing something.
“Yes.” Tara shifts on her bed and winces. She’s definitely in a lot of pain. I take it upon myself to check her out, kneeling next to the bed. “Tara, I’m going to touch you. Tell me from one to ten where it hurts.”
“Are you a doctor now?” she asks.
“I have all kinds of special talents.” I press down on her side as I feel around.”
“Here?” I press low.
“Five”
“Here?” I press high.
“Five.”
“Here.” I press right on her rib cage.
“Eight!”
“Okay. It’s not broken. A hairline fracture, maybe, but I just think it’s bruised.”
“How can you tell?” Philly asks.
I glance back at him. “If it were broken, she would have screamed ten.”
I look down at my injured beauty and decide it’s time to get things in motion.
“If you don’t mind, I’d like to be alone with Tara. To talk.”
I stand and face Philly.
“Forget it. I’m not leaving her.” I can see the confliction written all over his face. He doesn’t know me from a hole in the wall, but he has no choice but to trust me. It’s the only option I’ll give him.
“It’s fine, Philly,” Tara assures him from the bed. She sounds exhausted and looks so battered.
He gives her a once-over, clearly concerned. He then relents, brushing past me to give her a kiss on the cheek. “I’m a phone call away if you need me.”
“I know.” She smiles sweetly up at him.
“Take care of her.” Philly turns his attention back to me. “She needs more ice and lots ofrest.”He hints like I’m actually going to try something right after she had the crap kicked out of her. He doesn’t know me at all.
“There’s no one more equipped to take care of her than I am,” I inform him resolutely.
He nods, semi satisfied and then leaves the apartment.
