Page 141 of Vicious Little Snakes

“Damn, she seemed serious. Who was that?” When I don’t answer, Liam tries to grab my hand, but I pull it away.

“Can you just go get the basket? And check out? I’ll call the car and meet you outside.”

He reaches for me again. “Care, what’s wrong?”

I shake my head, taking another step away.

“Nothing. Just do it. God.” My voice is like daggers, and telling by the look on Liam’s face, he doesn’t like making its acquaintance again.

“All right,” he answers.

I turn around, walking down the aisle, past the register, and straight to the sidewalk. What have I done? This is everything I feared.

What I want—to be Liam’s girlfriend. What’s expected—Caroline fucking Whitmore.

I know I’m dialing for the car and speaking to the driver, but I’m on autopilot. Lost in my thoughts. God, why did I have to come to this store? This fucking island? And be with this boy?

The last part of that selfish, terrible thought makes me sick to my stomach. Goddamn me. Being a Deb is the culmination of everything I’ve worked for. I fought hard to become a member of the most prestigious societal presentation. I won’t give that up.

Now nobody can deny me anything, ever again.

Not the goddamn girls that tormented me in my boarding school. Or the bitches like Donovan that glide through their lives, unharmed by my realities.Not even my mother.

I would finally become the girl I’ve tediously crafted over the years, with my blood, starvation, and tears. I’d belong.

Except.

Fuck. My hands run through my hair as I look around, feeling more lost than ever. I glance over my shoulder, seeing Liam at the register checking out.

He’s taking quick looks at me, worry on his brow. It should be disgust on his face.

Shaky breaths push between my lips as I look back to the street, trying not to cry. Why did he do this? Come here, telling me he loves me? And let me love him back, knowing who I am. Because now it all feels meaningless without Liam. I hate him.

How do I fix this? This can’t be the choice I’m left with because it’s the cruelest kind of fate.

Me or Liam. Me or Liam. Me or fucking Liam.

The lump in my throat catches as I look to the sky. God, I despise myself for allowing this to be an actual choice. Our black Mercedes pulls up in front of me as I wipe my hand under my eyes just in case any of the leftover mascara’s running, sucking up some air as I do.

“Caroline,” Liam calls from behind me.

I look over my shoulder, watching as he stalks my way. The driver opens the door before taking the grocery bags, allowing Liam to follow me inside the car. We say nothing as we sit side by side, the driver taking his place and pulling the car away from the store.

Liam’s hand encases mine, but I don’t look at him, turning my head to stare out of the window.

The house isn’t far. It a damn village. Nothing’s far from the beach. But it feels like an eternity. Liam’s gaze stays on my profile the whole way. I can feel it. But if I look at him, he’ll see it behind my eyes, and then we’ll be over.

I can’t hide from him. Loving me is his superpower.

He should leave me. Stat. It’s what I deserve. I know. But that doesn’t stop it from stinging.

The moment we pull to a stop in front of the beach house, I tug my hand from his and scoot out, heading straight inside the house. But Liam’s on my heels, slamming the door behind him.

“What the fuck is going on, Caroline?”

I’m frozen in my place, staring out the windows toward the ocean, my chest already heaving. Liam’s voice raises again, “Caroline.”

I don’t turn around.