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“Just tell me the truth,” Kodi demanded, her voice trembling. Malakai’s eyes darted around the room, searching for excuses. His hand twitched, and she knew he was hiding something. Betrayal tasted bitter on her tongue.
“Kodi… it’s not what it looks like,” he stuttered, voice shaking.
She didn’t buy it. Not for a second. The same look—so familiar—was in his eyes, the one she’d seen countless times before.
Without a word, she grabbed her phone and dialed the only person who could make sense of this mess—Lip Gallagher.
“Kodes…?” His voice was groggy, rough from sleep.
“I need you,” she whispered.
His heart thumped. Just hearing her say that… it pulled him out of bed faster than anything else. “Where are you?”
“Outside your door.” Her voice cracked.
He barely paused to grab a shirt. By the time she opened the door, he was already there. Her eyes were red, puffy from crying. “I don’t want to talk about it,” she whispered.
Lip didn’t argue. Instead, he pulled her close, kissing her deep, urgent, and desperate. The world melted away around them as the van in his front yard rocked slightly under their weight. Every touch, every brush of lips, was a reminder of what they’d lost… and still had.
“Is this what you needed?” he murmured into her hair.
She only nodded, unable to form words. She knew it was wrong—she was married—but in that moment, all she wanted was him.
Their reunion grew heated, but the sound of pounding on the door froze them.
“I know you’re in there, you son of a bitch!” Malakai’s slurred voice boomed.
Kodi scrambled to pull herself together. Lip’s hand found hers, steadying her. “Get in the house,” he hissed, guiding her upstairs.
Malakai stumbled in, rage burning in his eyes. “Where is she?”
Lip squared up, bare-chested and protective. “She’s not here. Go home and sleep it off.”
Malakai didn’t budge. He lunged, swinging a fist. Lip caught his wrist, twisting with precision. The two men stumbled, crashing into the kitchen. Kodi bit her lip, hiding in the shadows.
Carl stepped forward, fists clenched, but Lip waved him off. “This is between me and him.”
Kodi’s heart pounded. She wanted to intervene but Debbie’s grip on her arm was iron. “Don’t go down there,” she whispered.
Malakai’s gaze landed on her, a flicker of hurt breaking through the rage. “Is that what you want? To go home with him?”
Kodi’s chest tightened. “I’m not going anywhere with you,” she spat, voice strong despite the tears. “Not after what you did.”
“I didn’t—” Malakai started, but she cut him off.
“The reason is, you betrayed me. You lied. I can’t trust you.”
He faltered, his drunken haze giving way to something unrecognizable—regret.
Kodi turned, walking out the door. Lip followed, but Ian’s hand on his arm stopped him. “Let him go. This isn’t our fight anymore.”
The cold night air bit at her cheeks, but she barely felt it. Malakai stumbled after her, shouting her name, but she kept walking.
Lip’s voice called after her, full of regret. “Kodes, wait!” She didn’t look back. Not this time. Not after the lies.
