The Lying Game

by Miller, Mickey

  Lance shrugs. “If you say so.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  He heaves a deep sigh, and gets up with the bag of chips. “Look, I’m fine doing relationship talk with you, but you need to at least listen to me. I feel like you’re not hearing one word I’m saying. And you won’t even admit to yourself what you’re really thinking. You’re not over him.”

  I frown. “Fine. You want to know what I’m thinking?”

  He nods. “Please.” Pausing the show, he turns to me.

  I cough. “I think Carter thinks he’s too good for me. He’s a celebrity and he’s got the option of dating celebrities. So why would he spend time with little old me? But you’re right. I can’t get him off my mind. No matter what I do.” “That’s more like it.”

  “So what should I do?”

  Lance pauses, biting into another chip. “You should do these three things. Stop analysing so much. Take advantage of your new freedom, and for the love of God, at least give these guys a shot. Maybe Brandon’s having as tough a time with girls as you are with guys. Maybe he’s not so bad.” “Somehow, I doubt that. But you’re right. I’ve already blocked Carter’s number. I’m going to stop thinking about him, even in the slightest. Starting, now.” “Perfect.” Lance puts on Friends, and we watch a few episodes until he’s tired and heads to bed.

  As I sit on the couch, an echo of quiet reverberates through our tiny two bedroom apartment for a few seconds, before it’s broken up by the noise of a honking horn in the distance, and a siren.

  Oh New York, never a moment of full silence.

  Then I hear a buzz on the coffee table and glance down.

  It’s an incoming number, marked Private.

  Normally, I don’t pick these up. But for some reason, my instinct tells me I need to get this.

  “Hello?” I wait a couple of beats, and hear nothing on the other end of the phone.

  “Uh okay then, I’m going to hang up now.”

  And then the voice finally comes, dark and throaty. “Lacy.”

  The word sends a chill through me, making the hairs on the back of my neck stand up and giving me goosebumps.

  Carter’s voice still has the ability to do that to me, even after all these months of no contact.

  “Why are you calling me? I said—“

  “I know what you said. This is different..”

  “Different?” I seethe. “Unless your heart of stone has magically transformed into a diamond—“

  “Diamond is harder than stone anyway,” he growls.

  “Bad analogy.”

  “You made it.” “I’m hanging up.” “Listen to me Lacy, I need to meet you. There’s something important we need to talk about.”

  I pinch my mouth and grind my teeth. Carter thinks when he sees me in person, I’ll be weak.

  “The hell you do,” I seethe, my tone laced with anger.

  “Lacy, I’m not messing around,” he continues, equal anger in his voice. “I need you to meet me at—“

  I run my thumb across the red button on my phone to hang up. Selecting the number he called me from, I click to block it.

  My hand trembles as my phone starts to buzz again, another call from an unknown number.

  I slide my finger over the red button to decline the call.

  Putting my phone into airplane mode, I fold into the couch.

  I am done with Carter.

  I don’t care how much he grovels.

  It’s over.

  I glance at the time on my phone. It’s not eleven yet.

  With new reserve, I pad to Lance’s room and rap on the door.

  He opens it, sleepy eyed. “Everything okay?”

  I shake my head. “It’s Friday night. Do you want to go to the club? We haven’t went to the club it too long.”

  He furrows his brow. “It was Carter, wasn’t it.” I nod.

  “It’s a little late for the club, isn’t it?” I squint at him, confused. “We live in New York. The party doesn’t start until after midnight.” “Good point. I’ll get my club jeans on. Leave in ten?” I nod.

  “What’s the objective tonight?” “Forget about Carter,” I say, and I feel my stomach twisting as I say the words.

  But it must be done.

  I’ve got to move on.

  ———

  The End Game will be out September 27th. To receive the live link when it comes out, follow Mickey’s email list here:

  https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/y8s9b0

  Other books by Mickey Miller

  Ballers Romance Series:

  It was supposed to be just sex. But it became so much more. (Chandler + Amy’s Book!)

  I've always been the good girl. Until one night in Tijuana. When a gorgeous stranger struck up a conversation with me. He was so damn cocky, I decided to play a trick on him. So I made up a fake name. It was innocent, even if he was sinfully sexy.

  The Blackwell After Dark Series:

  I'm studying to be a sex therapist, and I haven't even had sex yet. Which is why I decide that Professor Hanks is going to be the one to take my virginity.

  How to find a wedding date at the last second: 1) Overheat your car on your cross country road trip 2) Make sure it’s storming 3) Have a one night stand with the sexiest mechanic you’ve ever seen

  Sebastian Blackwell isn’t only the sexiest man I’ve ever met. He’s also my boss.

  My best friend's sister. A tiny white lie to get a loan. A fake fiance?

  Standalones:

  No sex for ten dates, which sounds easy. Despite the biceps bulging through his shirt. Despite the tattoos I desperately want to lick-- I mean, know more about. Despite the hunger in his eyes when he looks at me. No, it won't be easy.

  Mickey Miller books cowritten with Holly Dodd:

  Dirty CEO

  Fantasy Island

  For a free book, sign up for Mickey’s Mailing list here:

  https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/y8s9b0

  Thank you for reading!