Tell Me No Lies

by C. Morgan/Chloe Morgan

  But I couldn’t explain that to Clay. “It doesn’t matter, man. I’ve gotten to know her, and I love everything about her. She is a good woman. And I need a good woman in my life. In Mila’s life.”

  “You think she would want to be in Mila’s life? Like a mother? She doesn’t even know about her. So, you’re just guessing. What if she hates kids?” Clay had brought up a few of my worst fears.

  I wasn’t going to let that get me down. “How could anyone hate Mila?” My daughter was perfect and good. She was sweet and smart and funny. Just like Tara. “They’d get along great. She’d be a better mother than Heather.”

  “No matter how wonderful Mila is, being a mother is a big deal.”

  Says the man who is fucking up his own family. I wasn’t going to throw that in his face.

  “If you really feel that way, then you should try and call her before you leave. Talk it out.”

  I shook my head. “There’s no time. I came here to say goodbye and check on Clay. I guess I need time to sort it all out. I can’t bring her into this shit show.” I glanced at my watch. “Shit, I’ve got to go. I have to catch my plane in twenty minutes. By the time I get to the airport, I’ll have no time.” I got up from the table and carried my plate to the sink.

  “Come on,” said Grady, abandoning his plate. He grabbed his phone. “I’ll have you there in no time.” He made a call and went to get his wallet. “The car will be ready when you are.”

  “I want to ride,” said Clay, scraping the last bit of his eggs into his mouth. “I want to see what the bitch did to your house. You still have the footage, don’t you?”

  A few minutes later, we said goodbye to Nick and Rylen, who stayed behind, still playing their game for money. Then we got in Grady’s limo, and his driver set out to take me to the airport.

  Clay sat across from me, looking at the footage of Heather destroying my house. The only room she hadn’t destroyed was Mila’s.

  “Man, she’s really breaking your shit,” said Clay. “Oh, was that your collector cars?”

  I gave him a hard look. “I’m glad it amuses you. And yes, it was my fucking collector cars. The ones my dad and I built together.” I had to remind myself that it was all just things. As long as Mila was safe, she was the only thing that mattered.

  “So, what’s Tara’s last name?” asked Grady. He was typing on his phone.

  “Wright, why?” I didn’t like the sound of the question. It made me wonder what he was up to.

  “No reason,” he said. “I just have a friend who is a PI, if you want me to have them check her out. He’s the best in the area, and he owes me a favor.”

  I wondered how a PI could owe him a favor. I probably didn’t want to know, but it seemed that Clay had met a vast array of colorful people in his life.

  “What? No way. Thanks anyway, but it’s not like that. I just need time to deal with this shit at home, and then I’ll reach out to her and straighten it out. If it’s meant to be, she’ll be there. It’ll give me the time I need to think, and with any luck, it will all work out. If not, then I guess I will just stay single forever.”

  “You won’t be single forever. It just means she’s not the one, man. It happens. You have a crush.”

  “Crushes are for children, and I’m a man. I know what I want. And I want Tara. I just hate that my life is so fucked up right now. It’s embarrassing to have to deal with it and especially with someone new in my life. Maybe it’s best she’s not around to deal with it. Heather would flip out if she knew she was being replaced. Hell, she’d probably hurt Tara or try to. I can’t do that to her.”

  “Are you sure she’s the one? Like the one. Would you marry her?” Grady gave me a look as if to tell me to make absolutely sure.

  “I would. Not right away, of course. I’d want her to meet Mila and make sure they fit, but yes, I could see myself marrying her. Does that sound crazy?”

  “Yes,” said Clay, earning a hard look from me and an eye roll from Grady.

  Grady patted my shoulder. “I can keep my eye on her if you want.”

  If there was anyone I could trust around my girl, it was Grady. “Just keep an eye on her if you happen to see her around. But don’t stalk her. I don’t want to upset her.”

  “I’ll check in at the buffet and make sure she’s not talking to other men.” Clay meant well too, but I wasn’t sure I wanted him spying on her.

  My pulse quickened as I thought of other men trying to get to her. It sucked I had to leave her behind. “Look, could you just give her a message for me?”

  Grady nodded, putting away his phone. “Yeah, man, anything. You know I’ll always have your back.” He had always had it, even in college when his head was in the clouds most days. If it came to a friend needing him, he was there. It was the only time he put the game controllers away.

  “As long as she’s worthy,” said Clay, as if he had any say. “Then you’re better off without her. And so is Mila.”

  I wondered how he was planning on determining her worthiness. “No, I need you to do this for me,” I said. “Please?”

  “You asking me please has me worried. But yeah, I’ll do it.” I knew I could count on Grady, but Clay? He was a toss-up.

  As the car pulled into the airport, I gave them the message to relay.

  Chapter 28

  Tara

  I had gotten out of work early enough the night before that I should have had plenty of sleep, but once I got home and found myself alone with nothing else to do, the thoughts of Zane being gone crept in.

  I had tossed and turned for hours, got up, and fixed myself a grilled cheese sandwich. Then I had a good cry until I couldn’t keep my eyes open any longer.

  And that was why, during my early morning shift, my eyes were puffy and I was dragging ass.

  Karen walked past me and leaned in, “Hey,” she said. “If you need to go home, I’ll cover for you. You look like you didn’t sleep at all.”

  “I’m fine.”

  “Did he call you or something?” She looked as if she was trying to understand.

  “No, I didn’t hear from him. But I’m good. I’m moving on.”

  “Let’s spread out and get some work done,” said Ben, who came by and stuck his head in our conversation. “And next time I ask you to work, you stay and clean up. You were supposed to go home and rest, and you’re dead on your feet.”

  “See? Even Benny Vinnie can tell.”

  “Yeah,” said Ben. “And I can tell you have tables to attend,” he said to Karen. “Get moving.”

  “On it, Boss,” she said, rolling her eyes.

  Ben turned to me. “And you have people at your table. Go get their drink orders. They asked for you by name again.”

  For a brief moment, I thought Zane was back, and my heart went into a flutter. But when I looked over, it wasn’t Zane but his friend, Nick, and the other one with the shaggy hair, Clay.

  I wondered what they were up to. Had he sent them to see if they could get lucky too? I walked over and greeted them with a forced smile. “Hello, gentlemen. Can I get you something to drink?”

  The shaggy-haired one gave me a sly grin. “You sure can, sweetheart. How about you sit on my lap and tell me what’s special?”

  His friend looked just as surprised as I was.

  “I beg your pardon? You’re Zane’s friend. Is this some kind of joke? Some way of getting me to be a bad person so he can feel better about dumping me.”

  His friend looked as if he was eager to hear Clay’s response too.

  “Um, I was just kidding around.”

  “Well, it’s not funny. What do you want to drink?”

  “I’ll have lemon tea. Half and half for an AP.”

  “One Arnold Palmer coming up.” I rolled my eyes and turned my attention to Nick. “And for you?” I tried to be sensitive, knowing the man had lost his wife.

  “Just water, please.”

  I walked away, and when I came back to the table, the two were arguing.
I was within earshot when I heard Nick’s voice raise.

  “Yeah, well, if she tells Zane, he’s going to beat your ass. Just watch it.”

  I walked up slowly, giving them time to finish their talk before approaching. “Here you go.”

  “Wait,” said Clay as I was walking away. “I’m sorry about getting flirty. I was really just fucking around and thought I’d see if you were really that into our boy or if you showed interest in all of your male customers.”

  “You wanted to see if I’m a slut? Thanks a lot. That’s so flattering.” I shook my head.

  “Hey, Tara. Ignore him and listen to me. Zane really likes you. He’s just had something come up in his life that he had to go home and take care of.”

  “I’m sorry,” said Clay. “Look. I just needed to know if you were worthy of our friend’s love. He’s crazy about you.”

  “But he’s a liar, and he’s hiding things.” I shrugged. “So that’s that.” I didn’t understand the point of them defending him.

  “Do you always dismiss men you care about so easily?” asked Nick. “Because I’m pretty sure you’re upset about what happened. Even I can tell your eyes are puffy from crying.”

  I put my head down and took a deep breath, not sure how I wanted to deal with this situation.

  Clay shook his head. “He was about to tell you everything when you tripped out on him, and I don’t know what kind of ideas you have in your head about what it was about, but it’s not what you think.”

  “And how do you know what I think?” I asked Clay in a snippy tone.

  “I’m not going to sit here and fight with you about Zane. He cares about you, and that’s all I wanted you to know. You’re not giving him a chance, and I think it sucks.”

  “What do you mean? I’m not doing anything.”

  “You are, though. You’re the one who called everything off because you jumped to conclusions.” Clay seemed really angry with me, and all I could think about was that Zane liked me.

  Had I jumped to conclusions? “I was protecting my heart.”

  “Yeah? So what then? Fuck his heart? His feelings don’t matter?” For a minute, it seemed as though the man was projecting.

  Nick leaned into the table toward his friend. “Hey, Clay. Chill out, man. She’s upset. It’s a mess, but she hasn’t done anything wrong.”

  “Sorry,” he said. “I think you should just hear him out. And I guess I came here to see if you’re even willing.”

  “He hasn’t called me. If he cares so much, why not pick up the phone?”

  “Because his life has taken a turn. He’s busy with that, and well, you made him feel like he needed some time. Besides, I believe you told him not to bother.”

  “But he left something for you. I can bring it to you later if you want it. If not, I’ll tell him you never want to see him again.”

  “I want it.” If Zane really had something for me, it was the right thing to hear him out. “I work in the morning.”

  “I’ll drop it by. I just had to be sure you’re worth it. He’s a good guy and my best friend.”

  “So what’s his big secret?”

  “Nah, I’ll let him tell you.”

  I stormed away and went to the back, where I breezed past Karen. I had tears in my eyes, and I couldn’t help it, but I guessed I’d made a mess out of everything. Why had I been so quick to dismiss Zane? I should have at least given him a chance to explain.

  Karen stormed into the kitchen and pulled me aside. “What did they say to you?”

  “Zane likes me, and I’m the one who blew it.”

  “What? I’ll go kick their asses out if you want. They can’t come in here and make you cry.”

  “No, they’re right. I apparently should have waited for Zane to talk to me. And now, I’m not sure he’ll forgive me for screwing everything up. But he’s sending a message to me through Clay tomorrow.”

  “Why doesn’t he just call you? This is bullshit. I bet they’re just fucking with you, and I, for one, am not going to stand for it.” She turned and stormed for the door, but I grabbed her hand and tugged her to stay with me.

  “No, don’t make it worse. I’ll see if he shows up with something, and if he doesn’t, I’ll know it was all just bullshit. I don’t know what his big secret is, but it looks like I’ll at least find out. He’s probably so upset with me. He’s having troubles at home, and here I’ve gone and made them worse.”

  “Don’t think that way. Did one of those assholes say that?” She looked back at the door as if she could see through it. I knew if I let her go, she’d be out there in Clay’s face in a heartbeat.

  “In so many words.” I had never wanted to be a burden on Zane, and now it looked like I had.

  My stomach twisted in knots, and I felt as if I needed to lie down. “I am going to give them their check, and I’m going to take a break.”

  “I’ll give it to them,” she said.

  “Karen, please don’t do or say anything. I don’t want it to get any worse.”

  She let out a deep breath. “Fine. I’ll just drop the ticket, and then I’ll step away. But if one of them talks to me, I’m going to let them have it.”

  Now I had one more thing to worry about.

  About that time, Ben came through the doors and spotted us there.

  “What the hell is this?” he asked. “Get back out there and wait on the customers. You both have full sections right now.”

  “I’m going,” I said, wiping my eyes.

  “What the fuck is wrong with you?” he asked. “You look like shit. You’d have done better to go home last night instead of fucking off work early without cleaning up so you could go out with your little friend here.” He was making some huge assumptions.

  “No, that’s not it at all,” I said in a harsh tone. “And for your information, I went home last night just as I said I would, and even if I hadn’t, it’s not your business what I do in my free time. As it happens, I just don’t feel well.”

  “Be sick on your own time,” he said. “We’ve got customers out there waiting to be served. Your little petty problems can wait.”

  Petty problems? That had me steaming. I’d never had any problems interfere with work. “I give all of my time to you and this restaurant, Ben. I don’t have any of my own time to be sick on, and unfortunately for you, it doesn’t work that way.” It wasn’t like I could pick and choose when it happened.

  “Yeah, and you call her every single time your ass is in a sling,” added Karen. “She barely gets any time off as it is.”

  “Says the girl who puts my ass in the sling,” he said. “Get to work, Karen!” He got in her face, and she turned and went back to the floor. Then he spun around. “Take a minute to clear your head, take something for your cramps or headache or whatever the fuck it is, and then get out there. That bimbo friend of yours can’t handle this all alone.”

  I nodded, knowing I’d never bend over backward to help him again, money or not. I’d work two jobs before I let him own me. But for now, I had to play my part.

  “Yes sir,” I said, knowing it wouldn’t do me any good to argue with him. He had my future in his hands, and if he fired me, I’d be screwed. Being poor meant swallowing my pride, even when the lumps were bigger than my throat.

  I hated having to be in that situation, but such was life. I had to suck it up and get back out there.

  I went to the bathroom and washed my face, and while I was prepared to get back to work, I wasn’t prepared to wait all night to hear from Zane. I took out my phone and texted him.

  Call me?

  I wasn’t going to call him. If he really did have a lot on his plate, I wasn’t going to bother him. I had to be patient while I wondered what kind of secret he had.

  Was it that he had been married before? And the woman was trying to get him back? That Mila tattoo that I’d tried to ignore, was it something to do with her? And if so, was I up for the competition?

  All I could do was wait and hop
e it wouldn’t take too long.

  Chapter 29

  Zane

  The entire flight back, I couldn’t help but worry about my parents, Mila, and Heather being in the same town, but thankfully, they had followed my advice and detoured to my aunt’s house along the way.

  As it turned out, I was home alone long before I expected them. While I sorted through the last of the mess, wondering how I was going to explain to Mila what happened, I heard a noise outside.

  I had a feeling I already knew who it was, and I wasn’t going to make a big deal out of her being there. That was exactly what she wanted.

  “Looks like you had a wild party,” said Heather. “Too bad for you. Looks like they really trashed the place. I bet the lawyers would love to know about it.”

  “As much as they’d get a kick out of the security footage I have of you destroying your daughter’s home.”

  I pulled out my phone, and my heart skipped a beat as I saw a message from Tara, asking me to call her. Instead, I hit the alert button for the security app. The cops would be on their way soon enough, and all I had to do was keep her talking.

  That wouldn’t be a problem. She liked to talk, especially if she thought she was being clever.

  She was quiet a minute. Then she sighed, walking over the trash I’d swept into a pile and dragging her foot through it. “Do you think I believe that? You’re bluffing.”

  “Think what you want, Heather. I really don’t give a fuck.” It was going to be wonderful to see her go back in lockup for good.

  She gave a little giggle. “Speaking of fucking. There’s no one here but us. Maybe you’d like to scratch an itch with me? We always were good together.”

  “I’m pretty sure fucking you would give me an itch, and I’m just not that desperate.” I wouldn’t touch her with a ten-foot pole, much less my ten-inch dick.

  “Come on, Zane.” She stepped closer and put her hand on my arm. “You know you miss me, babe. I know you do. I know you want us to be a sweet little family. I’d be willing to try.” Her other hand slipped down to my crotch, where she cupped my balls through my pants. “Let’s fuck and make up.”