Epic Lies (Epic Fail Book 2)

by Trudy Stiles

  As I do after every time I train, I close my eyes and visualize myself running through the streets as people cheer me on. I see myself throwing my arms in the air as I cross the finish line, the shiny medal around my neck. I’m proud, and I know I’m so close to making this vision a reality.

  “BAILEY, STOP!” I hear a woman yelling and a slobbering sound in my ear. My eyes shoot open, and a large Golden Retriever is sloppily licking my face, his tongue lapping up every ounce of sticky sweat he can find. I throw my arms up in the air and laugh, petting him on top of his giant head. He doesn’t stop and continues licking my face and arms.

  “Oh my God, I’m so sorry!” she exclaims as she reaches her overly-friendly dog. I laugh and pet him again, his tail wagging wildly as his legs kick up the sand around us. “I don’t know what got into him,” she says. “He usually never leaves our side when we’re walking on the boardwalk.” She points to a man holding a young girl’s hand while pushing a boy in a stroller. The man lets go of the stroller and waves back, apologetically.

  “It’s really okay. I needed to get up anyway,” I say and sit up in my seat. How long have I been asleep?

  The sunburn on my legs tells me it’s been a while.

  Bailey licks the side of my face again and sits in the sand, sticking his paw out. I grab hold of it and shake. “Nice to meet you, Bailey. You must have known I needed an alarm clock today.” He pants loudly and shakes his butt, his tail kicking up sand everywhere.

  “Okay, Big Guy, let’s go.” She tugs on his collar, and he stands up.

  “Mama!” the little boy from the stroller yells and giggles.

  “I’m coming,” she says, attempting to drag the large beast of a dog off of the beach.

  “Thanks for saving me from your killer dog,” I laugh. “I’m Giselle, by the way. You look familiar. Have we met before?”

  “I’m Carly,” she says, stopping to wipe her brow. “We live in the next town over, but the kids love the playgrounds here in Belmar. Caleb especially loves the pirate ship jungle gym over there.” She points to the play set, and I see at least a dozen other children enjoying it.

  “Nice to meet you. I’m here every summer with my family, so I’m sure I’ve seen you around. That must be it.” Her husband definitely looks familiar because I’ve seen him jogging with Bailey a few times before. He runs the same route I do–down the boardwalk and through Spring Lake.

  Bailey takes off running toward the giggling children, and she turns to follow him. “Bye!” she yells as she runs after him.

  I laugh and shake my head, grabbing my sweaty tank top to wipe the sticky slobber from my face. I look at my phone and see that it’s almost three o’clock. I’ve been asleep for almost two hours; no wonder I feel burnt to a crisp. Before I stand up, I open the cooler and grab the last bottle of water from the melting ice. As I sip it, I notice someone standing in the gazebo about a hundred yards away. And he’s looking straight at me.

  Dax.

  My heart races in my chest as I raise my hand slowly in the air to wave. He smiles, waving back. He hops over the railing and runs across the sand toward me. “Hey,” he says, panting as he stops at my feet. Sweat is already forming on his brow and he looks amazingly hot.

  I hand him my half-full bottle of water. “You could use this.”

  He grabs it from me and chugs it in one gulp. “Thanks.” He wipes his forehead with the back of his arm. “It’s freaking hot out here. Holy shit.”

  “Yeah. One of the hottest days so far this year.” I’m about to spew random facts about the weather forecast, but I bite my tongue. I’m more interested in why he’s here. And how did he find me?

  “How are you?” he says, softly kicking the sand between us.

  Lonely. I miss you.

  “Good,” I lie. “Got my last run in today before next week’s race.”

  “I figured. You know, it wasn’t easy tracking you down. Mia was very tight-lipped about where you went.”

  “I needed some time alone,” I admit and shrug my shoulders, causing him to frown.

  “If there’s anything I’ve learned about you over the past few months, it’s that you aren’t afraid to face things. You don’t run away.”

  “Who said I was running away?” My shoulders tense, and the knot in my chest is back.

  He puts his hands out, indicating that he wants to pull me to my feet. I comply and let him.

  We’re standing toe-to-toe, and I’m suddenly self-conscious about how bad I smell. The sweat has had a few hours to work its way into my skin and running gear.

  His eyes travel from mine, down to my chest. He places his hand on the exposed skin on my chest and laughs.

  “What?”

  “Did you fall asleep with your hand here?” he asks as he removes his.

  I look down and see a perfect white imprint of my own hand, surrounded by sunburn. Oh my God.

  I chuckle at my sunburn stupidity. That handprint is going to take weeks, maybe even months, to blend in with the rest of my skin tone.

  “I passed out, apparently with my hand resting right here.” I point to the pale spot and blush.

  He brushes strands of hair away from my face and leaves his hand against my cheek.

  “Why did you run?”

  Dax

  Present

  SHE TENSES AGAINST my hand and looks away.

  “I know the past few days have been crazy. Hell, so have the past few months. But, haven’t we worked through obstacles together? Why would you take off and not wait for an explanation to all of this madness?”

  Her eyes widen. “Does the explanation go something like this? A woman and child show up from your past. You then fall madly in love with your insta-family. The end.” She backs away from me, and my hand drops from her cheek.

  “You can’t possibly believe that,” I respond, my heart sinking in my chest.

  “What do you want me to believe? Better yet, what do the tabloids want me to believe?”

  The beach around us is suddenly more crowded than it was before, and I’m hyper aware that we’re out in public. “Can we go somewhere private to talk?”

  She nods, folds up her beach chair, and grabs her sneakers from the sand. I pick up the cooler and follow her to the boardwalk, her house just a few more feet away. My SUV is parked in the driveway, and I say, “I hope you don’t mind, it was the only spot available.”

  “It’s okay.” She unlocks the door, and we walk into the refreshing air-conditioning. She walks through the house, dropping her sneakers and clothes haphazardly. “Do you want a drink?” she calls from the kitchen.

  No. I want you to hear me out.

  “No, I’m good.”

  She reappears in the den, peeling a banana. “I’m starving.” She takes a bite. “Do you want one?”

  I can’t help but smile. She looks so cute right now, but I need to focus. I need to make her understand exactly what’s going on…and what isn’t.

  “I’m sorry if it seems like I ran away,” she shrugs her shoulders, and sinks into the couch. “And I promise I’m not trying to be an asshole, but when that woman showed up on my doorstep with your son, I just lost it.” Tears glisten in her eyes.

  I nod. “That’s completely understandable, and I don’t blame you at all. But, I wish you would have stuck around to hear everything that happened, because it’s not at all what you think.” I sit across from her on the other couch and lean forward.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Natalia’s son isn’t mine,” I state, and she exhales loudly, the tension leaving her shoulders.

  “Really?”

  “It’s a long story, but she didn’t show up to claim anything. She was trying to find me, to warn me about the tabloid story. Apparently, her husband threw her out two months ago because she’d been having an affair with a professional tennis player, who also happens to be the father of her child. Not me.”

  A smile plays across her lips, and she shakes her head. “I feel lik
e a complete idiot.” She slumps further into the couch, embarrassed.

  “Don’t. Seriously. Natalia is, and always will be, a mess. She leaves a path of destruction wherever she goes, and I wouldn’t be surprised if this story pops up again. She was hiding the kid from the public eye for almost three years before she surfaced in Spain a few weeks ago. A photographer who used to stalk Epic Fail happened to see her and her son in a cafe, snapped a few pictures, and sold his story to the highest bidder. He clearly embellished the details, getting the entire story wrong. Natalia saw it and freaked out. Her husband was already on the war path, and she didn’t need my name dragged into her mess. For the first time in her life, she actually attempted to do something right.”

  “I see. So, it was a complete misunderstanding.”

  “But, she shouldn’t have involved you, and for that I’m very sorry.”

  “Me too.” She lowers her eyes. “I overreacted a little, didn’t I?”

  “I wish you wouldn’t have taken off. Any anxiety you felt could have been easily avoided.”

  “But, I’m still mad at you,” she smirks.

  “How could you possibly still be mad? You know the truth. It’s finally over, and we can move on.” Together. I get up and close the gap between us, standing over her.

  “You shouldn’t have paid off my car,” she blurts out, and I fold my arms across my chest.

  “Really? You’re still angry about that?” I laugh. “I’m not apologizing. I did something nice for you–so deal with it.”

  She pulls her knees into her chest and places her cheek on one of them. “I’m working on getting you the money as soon as possible.”

  “I won’t accept it.” I grab her hands, pulling her onto her feet and into my chest. She wraps her arms tentatively around my waist, finally settling on my hips. “I’m sorry for not telling you about it, but I won’t accept any money from you. You can be mad at me all you want–I’m not budging on this.”

  “We’ll work something out,” she says.

  “Nope.”

  She exhales into my shirt and after a few moments, changes the subject again. “I really feel like such an idiot. What was I thinking? When Natalia showed up on my doorstep, looking all gorgeous and intimidating, I snapped. And I ran. I’m really sorry, Dax.”

  I kiss the top of her head, and she relaxes in my arms. “You don’t have to explain any further. I get it. Life in the public eye can be–complicated. Especially when someone like Natalia is thrown into the mix.”

  “What’s your history with her anyway?” she asks, concern in her voice.

  I’ve been dreading this question, but know I have to answer her truthfully. “We were together for a short time a few years ago, after Garrett broke her heart. It was doomed from the beginning, and like I said before–she’s a complete and total mess. Not to mention, she’s a cheater and always will be.”

  “I know the type all too well. I’m sorry you had to experience that with her.” Sadness and regret fill her voice, and I kiss her head again. “Did you love her?”

  “I thought I did,” I admit, and she frowns.

  “I’m sorry. I also know what that feels like. Loving someone and trusting them, only to have that trust completely shattered by a moment neither of you can ever take back.”

  I hold her in my arms for a few moments before the silence is broken again.

  “So, what have you been up to the past few days?” She attempts to lighten the mood in the room.

  “Looking for you.” I take her face between my hands and kiss her lips. “Are you going to run away from me again?”

  “It all depends.” She leans her forehead into mine.

  “Depends on what?” I smirk, stealing another kiss. She feels so good in my arms.

  “It depends on whether or not any more of your fictional children show up.”

  I raise my hand with two fingers raised. “Scout’s Honor. I have no other fictional children…that I know about.”

  “You were a Boy Scout?” she asks, surprised.

  “A Cub Scout. And only for two years.”

  “I bet you were adorable.” She runs her fingers through my hair, now completely relaxed in my arms.

  “I’m still adorable.” I raise my eyebrows, and she giggles.

  She wiggles from my arms and backs away from me slowly. “I’m beginning to stink up this entire room. I need to shower. You stay here, make yourself comfortable, and I’ll be back in five minutes.”

  “Sure, but hurry. We have a lot of catching up to do.” I say as she slips away, down the hall.

  I do everything I can to restrain myself from joining her. I don’t like the way things played out over the last few days, and before we jump head-first back into this relationship, I want to make sure she’s with me. Like, really with me. She has to be able to weather the storms that come along with my life. Yes, Natalia showing up with a kid immediately sounded the alarms to DEFCON 5, but I need to know Giselle isn’t going to freak out over the little things. I need reassurance from her, and maybe some more media training with Sonya is definitely in order–if she agrees.

  A door opens at the end of the hallway, and soon she’s standing in front of me again. Glistening from the shower. Glowing from the sun. One side of her face is redder than the other, further highlighting her incredibly uneven sunburn. I focus on the white handprint on her chest and can’t help but laugh out loud. She immediately covers it up, embarrassed.

  “I must have looked graceful sleeping on the beach today,” she says sarcastically. I laugh again when I picture her sprawled out on the chair, arms and legs everywhere.

  “I bet you looked perfect.”

  “Yeah, perfect enough for a hundred-pound dog to slobber all over me!”

  “Come here,” I say, stretching my hand out to her.

  She walks slowly over to me and grabs my hand. “Please don’t hate me for being scared. And angry. I promise I won’t do anything like that again.”

  “Don’t apologize. And of course you’re allowed to be scared, angry, and every emotion in between. Just don’t hide it from me. Don’t you hide from me–ever again. We need to work through these types of things together. If your first instinct is to run and not to trust me, then this isn’t going to last.” I need her to fully understand where I am coming from, and I hope what I said doesn’t cause her to bolt.

  “You’re absolutely right, Dax. Completely and totally right.” Good.

  “Really? You think so?” I pull her against me, and this time I don’t plan on letting her go.

  “So many emotions took hold of me–it was overwhelming. Things had finally started falling into place for you and me–for us. I haven’t ever had any luck finding the right guy and actually keeping him. Then, you literally fell into my life. You scared me. Intrigued me. I was drawn to you.” She presses herself into my hips and leans her forehead into my chest. “And then one coincidence after another kept throwing us together. I started to feel things for you that I haven’t felt in a very long time.”

  “Yeah?” I ask, wanting to hear her say it.

  “Yeah.” She sighs, and I tilt her chin up.

  “What kind of feelings?” I tease.

  She blushes and smiles. “What do you want me to say?”

  I lead her over to the couch, and we sit. I pull her against my side. “Nothing, for now. But I want you to listen to me.”

  She stares into my eyes. “Okay.”

  “We were connected to each other a long time ago–before we even met. We both experienced something as teenagers that we should have never had to endure. Losing Lara to cancer was one of the worst things I’ve ever gone through, and I imagine you feel the same.” She nods and settles against my side. “I didn’t know how to process anything I was feeling, so I stayed angry. I lost faith in love and truth, questioning everything and everyone. I went down paths that I knew were no good for me, getting into relationships that were doomed from the start. I tried to trust again, and when I di
d, was painfully reminded it was a mistake to do so. Until I met you.”

  “Dax, you don’t need to explain anything to me. I know exactly how you feel. My past has also tarnished my ability to trust and to love.” Her fingers entwine with mine, and she kisses my shoulder. “Thank you for being patient with me and not hating me.”

  “I could never hate you.”

  “Good. Because I think if you did, it would kill me.”

  “I love you,” I say, and for the first time in a long time, I don’t regret saying those three words.

  She pulls away slightly and takes my face in her hands. “Really?” Her breathing hitches, and she bites her lip.

  “Yes, really.”

  Her eyes light up and glisten. She lets go of my face and throws her arms around my neck. “I love you,” she breathes. “I love you so much. I’ve been afraid to tell you, afraid you would think it was too soon. Everything happened so fast. The day I picked you up–”

  I steal a kiss, devouring her words, and pull her tighter against me. I say against her lips, “That was the day you saved my life.”

  Giselle

  One Year Later

  “DINNER WAS GREAT,” my father says as my mother puts the last of the dishes into the dishwasher. He stands up and announces, “We should hit the road before traffic gets too heavy. You know what it’s like on Sunday nights when everyone is heading home from their weekend down the shore.” Traffic and weather will always be his main concern.

  “Bob, we’ll be fine,” my mother says.

  “Mr. and Mrs. Andrews, thank you for a great weekend,” Dax says. He stands up and extends his hand to shake my father’s.

  “The pleasure is all ours, Son,” my dad responds, smiling. It’s been a long road getting the two of them to feel comfortable around each other, especially after my father found out about the pictures from Mexico. He couldn’t look Dax in the eyes for close to three months, and even after that, the awkward meter was through the roof. I can’t blame him, honestly. I was in a very compromising position.