Lie to Me

by Natasha Preston

  "We didn't really talk about what had happened before you ran off."

  "Shocking I didn't want to discuss the details, considering you were screwing my sister!" My hands make fists.

  Who the hell does the wanker think he is?

  He didn't sleep with someone random. He didn't go out one night and sleep with some woman he'd met that night. He chose my sister! My fucking sister.

  "I'm sorry, Sav."

  "Oh, you're sorry. Well, after three years, that's nice to hear, Simon, but it will never make up for what you did."

  "Not if you don't let me try," he replies.

  So, he does want to try to make it up to me.

  My mouth falls open. "I don't want you to try. I don't want anything to do with you."

  "You're angry," he tells me.

  "You're as sharp as ever." You're supposed to be calm, Savannah.

  "Can we meet face-to-face?"

  "No."

  He sighs. "You always were stubborn."

  "What makes you think I would want to meet you? Have you lost it? You slept with my sister."

  "That. Was. A. Mistake."

  Finally, he admits that.

  "Yeah, a big one." I run my trembling hands through my hair. "There's nothing you could ever say that would make me want to forgive you, so I don't know why you're trying to get in touch."

  "Things aren't okay. You haven't seen your family in years. This needs to be sorted, Sav."

  My blood simmers faster, faster, faster, until I feel like screaming. "Why do you care about my relationship with my family?"

  God, I hate this knobhead.

  "We have a long history, and I still care about you. A lot actually."

  "Well, stop because all I feel for you is hate and disgust."

  "You don't mean that," he rasps as if my words are a massive blow.

  "Don't tell me what I mean," I snap.

  What did I ever see in him?

  "If you could let go of this grudge, we could all move forward."

  "I don't want to move forward with you or my family. I'm done."

  He sighs again, like he's annoyed with me. "Maybe we can talk when you're in a better mood."

  "My mood is never going to get any better when I'm speaking to you. I'm done, Simon. I thought I made that clear."

  "You never said that."

  "I left three years ago and never came back!" I exclaim, throwing my hands up. "How is that not clear?"

  There is something seriously wrong with him if he thinks for a second that I could ever forgive what he did. Though he saw nothing wrong with switching to my sister, so he's obviously a twat.

  "Look, I don't want to argue with you. I just want you to leave me alone. We've not been in each other's lives for three years, and that's the way it should be. You can't contact me again."

  "I don't think you mean that."

  "Well, you're going to have to take my word for it because I'm so over this, and I'm not going to change my mind."

  "You don't miss your family?" He fires the question at me like he's trying to keep me on the line, keep me talking.

  Sometimes, I think I do. I miss the family unit but not the people. "No, I don't. Not anymore."

  "You were close to your mum." He sounds genuinely baffled.

  I was close to my mum, we did a lot together, but when Simon and my sister slept together, multiple times, she didn't react in the way I'd thought. There was also the thing right before that. At that time, I needed her more than ever, and she let me down.

  There is no length of time that will help with that. Our bond was broken, and I know I could never trust her again. So, there's no point in trying.

  "Yep, was."

  "Sav, I don't know what to do when you're like this."

  "You don't have to do anything."

  "I want to help."

  "Then, promise you'll leave me alone. Don't call me or show up again."

  I can't have him in my life, not now that it's finally getting good. If I hadn't met Kent, I probably would have just changed my number, taken off, and started again somewhere else.

  "How can I do that when I think you're making a mistake?"

  I want to shout down the phone exactly what I think of him and then tell him to drop dead, but I'm so close to getting rid of him for good.

  "I'll tell you what; if I change my mind, I'll contact you. Until then, you back off."

  The line is silent for a minute. He thinks I'll want him back, so let him wait. He'll die of old age first, but that's just fine with me.

  "All right."

  "Yeah?" I ask, a little shocked that he's agreed.

  "Well, I know you have to get there on your own. You've always had to do things in your own time. You're not ready yet."

  I barely listen to his words, but it all sounds good. "That's right. So, I'll call if I want to make amends, like you assume I will."

  I need confirmation.

  "I know you better than you know yourself, and I can wait. Try not to leave it too long," he breathes, as if he really believes me.

  He hangs up, and I slump back into the sofa.

  Hallelujah.

  My shoulders feel lighter.

  22

  Kent

  Weddings bring out the crazy in people. My whole family, besides me and my dad, is running around like lunatics, making sure every last detail is spot on.

  That's the job of the wedding team at the hotel, but whatever.

  I've been ready for the last hour. Freddy begged me to get my tux on even though we had ages, so now, I'm sitting at the bar with my dad and a couple of other guests, bored fuckless.

  Max and Toby are coming in the evening to eat a buffet and get drunk.

  It's now midday, and we have an hour and thirty minutes until the service. Savannah is supposed to be here anytime now. Brooke insisted she attended, and at first, that irritated me to no end, but now that we're together, I'm constantly watching the door to see when she'll walk in the bar.

  The more time we spend together, the more I like her. She's not what I first thought, and I love that. And let's face it; I more than like her. I'm crazy about her.

  I love that she doesn't back down. She challenges me often. I've never been excited to see a girl the way I am with her. Not even my ex made me feel like a fucking idiot. Savannah is something else.

  "Waiting for someone?" Dad asks, pushing a pint toward me.

  I wrap my hand around the glass and take a gulp. He knows I am. "Why don't you go and see if Mum needs help with anything?"

  He laughs a deep belly laugh that makes a few people look up from their drinks. "Not a chance, son. What time is she supposed to be here?"

  Now. We're going to have a drink together first.

  "Anytime now."

  "She's different you know."

  My eyes slide to him. I was just thinking the same. "I know."

  Savannah is nothing like my ex, but there is something about her that I'm unsure of. She's not shared much. All I know is that she's estranged from her parents, she isn't close with any other family members, and she moved here three years ago from her hometown.

  I have no details about her childhood or what her parents were like--or are like--whether she misses them, if she ever sees them, or if she wants to build bridges. I don't even know if she's still in contact with friends from school; she's not mentioned them, and it's a bit too soon to grill her. Even though I really want to.

  Savannah walks into the room, and I get tunnel vision.

  She's wearing a full-length dark grey dress that clings to her body. It has a plunging V-neck that makes my heart race and dick harden. Her hair is in a plait to the side, a few tendrils hanging out.

  I'm at my fucking sister's wedding, in the bar with my dad, so, my God, I can't get hard!

  Her eyes lock with mine, and she smiles, her cheeks tinting pink.

  Dad looks over his shoulder, and then I hear him laugh. He stands up. I feel his palm land on my shoulder befor
e he walks off.

  I'm still staring at Savannah, and Dad is going to rip me apart for that one later, but I can't bring myself to care.

  She takes agonisingly slow steps toward me. I stand up, but my mind is empty.

  "Hi," she whispers.

  "Hi. You look ..." Words. I need a word! "Yeah ..."

  Giggling, she drops her eyes. When she looks back up, her bottom lip is between her teeth, and her grey eyes are stormy and filled with desire.

  "Well, thank you. You look yeah, too."

  Why am I such a dickhead?

  "Drink?" I ask her because I clearly need a few more.

  Freya never made me feel nervous. Savannah is the only person to make me forget everything.

  "I'd love a glass of rose, please?"

  "Wine tonight?"

  "I'll hit the hard stuff after I've eaten, or I'll be lying on the floor."

  "Well, let's not discount having the harder stuff right now. I wouldn't mind you lying on the floor. Or any other surface you want."

  She tilts her head, arching an eyebrow. "Oh, really?"

  I'm desperate to take that dress off and run my hands and tongue over every inch of her body.

  "Kent!" She nudges my arm.

  "What?"

  "I just asked what you were having to drink. Where was your mind?" She grins, stepping closer, as she knows exactly what is going on in my mind.

  "I can show you where my mind is."

  "I bet you can."

  Her lips are pink, and as much as I hate lipstick, unless it's leaving rings around my dick, I lean down and kiss her. She responds by gripping my upper arms and pressing her body against mine.

  This could quickly escalate, so I reluctantly pull back.

  Savannah presses her lips together, smiling.

  "Did I mention yet that you look--"

  "Yeah," she cuts in, using my embarrassing word from earlier.

  That can't stick.

  "Well, I meant to say stunning, perfect, edible."

  "You know, I'm not sure if I prefer stunning or perfect to yeah."

  "Really?"

  She leans forward again, so her chest is all pressed up against mine. "Uh-huh."

  Having her body glued to mine is doing nothing for the erection currently wedged against her stomach. I'd think she would back up, but she hasn't.

  "Are you going to get me drunk today?" she asks.

  "That depends."

  "On?"

  "Are you planning on letting me get inside you?"

  Her eyes glow. "Why does my alcohol consumption affect that?"

  "Because I can't have sex with you if you're off your pretty little face."

  "Don't you mean my yeah face."

  I drop my chin to my chest.

  "Okay, I'm sorry." She laughs. "Say I get drunk tonight, but in the morning, I'm sober?"

  I lean in and whisper in her ear, "Then, in the morning, I'm burying myself inside you and making you scream my name."

  Her breath catches, and her body sways harder into mine.

  Groaning, I drop my forehead to her shoulder. "I'm hard, Savannah."

  With a giggle, she pushes me back and tugs me to a stool at the bar. "Down, boy. Drinks first."

  "I don't want drinks first."

  Looking over her shoulder, she replies, "Tough."

  This woman is going to be the death of me.

  I press my chest against her back and whisper in her ear, "I want you."

  "Tell me something new, Kent," she teases. "What are you drinking?"

  "Rum."

  "You can't be drunk at the ceremony. How many beers have you had?"

  "He's had three," Dad says, sitting down beside us. "Rum after the ceremony. Savannah is right."

  But she's driving me crazy, and I need something to stop me from thinking about how perfect she looks in that dress.

  Not that I can say that to my dad.

  "Fine. I'll have another beer then."

  Dad grins. "Good boy. Now, put her down."

  "No."

  Rolling his eyes, Dad orders our drinks, getting Savannah the glass of wine she requested.

  "How are you feeling about walking Brooke down the aisle?" Savannah asks my dad.

  "Hmm," he replies with a frown. "I'm not thrilled about letting her go, but Freddy is a good guy."

  "She moved out years ago, Dad."

  Savannah elbows me in the chest.

  What?

  "I wouldn't expect you to understand until you're waiting to give your daughter away, Kent."

  I've not thought much about having kids. Of course, in the back of my head, I've always assumed I would--maybe with Savannah, when I'm older and settled down. I'm settling down now, and to be honest, the thought of tiny people I'm solely responsible for is terrifying.

  Savannah looks up at me, biting on her lip like she can read my mind. Well, I can't read hers, and I have no idea how she feels about kids. She's still really young. She's in her early twenties and career-orientated right now. There's no way she wants children soon ... right?

  Fuck, what if she wants them soon?

  "You're freaking out," she says.

  I shake my head, but holy shit, I am.

  Dad laughs and sips his beer. He's loving this.

  "I don't want children for a very long time," she says, settling the horror in my chest.

  I blow out a long breath. "Okay."

  Good.

  Dad pipes up again, "Your mum is going to be so disappointed."

  "I don't care. She can pester Brooke for grandkids. Even Heidi is older than me."

  "She has been pestering Brooke for grandkids, and Heidi is still single."

  "Can we talk about something else, please?" I ask.

  Savannah and I have been together around six weeks, I think. We don't need any pressure to provide bloody grandkids yet.

  She tilts her head. "It's funny how much children scare you."

  "Children don't scare me. Having them does. Drink your wine, Savannah."

  Dad leaves as soon as he finishes his beer, popping a mint as he goes in search of Brooke.

  "Do you need to be doing anything? The ceremony starts in thirty minutes. Aren't you an usher?"

  "If people can't find their way into a room and sit on a seat, they shouldn't be allowed to leave their house."

  "Kent! Take this seriously. It's your sister's wedding."

  "I'll usher you in there."

  "You're impossible," she says on a sigh. "Come on. Let's go and see if we're needed anywhere." She puts her empty glass on the bar and grips my hand.

  "We're not working this wedding, you know."

  Tugging my hand, she looks back at me. "Don't be lazy. You can't sit in the bar and drink when your sister might need us to do something. That's what family is for, right?"

  "Apparently," I grumble.

  I've been to a few weddings before, and they only start getting good in the evening. Though I'm not single for this one, so I don't have to wait until the party starts to have fun.

  I wonder what the chances of getting Savannah off during the meal are.

  She would fucking kill me if I tried that here.

  I tug her back and let go of her hand. Gasping, she stumbles back into my chest where I wrap my arm around her waist. That's better, she's back in my arms. I can't get enough.

  "Fancy a repeat of the Mexican restaurant today?"

  Her eyes widen. Tilting her head, she warns, "Do not dare."

  Grinning, I lean down and press my lips to her forehead. "I'll be on my best behaviour ... until we get up to our room."

  We walk into the ceremony room, and Mum is rushing around, straightening flowers attached to the end rows of chairs. Guests have started arriving, milling around outside.

  "Judy, the room looks perfect," Savannah says, trying to calm my mother down.

  When she looks up, Mum's shoulders sag. "Oh, I needed to hear that, darling."

  "How is Brooke doing?"

  "B
etter than me. I just want to make sure everything is perfect."

  "Everything is perfect, Mum. Brooke isn't going to notice if a few flowers are out of place. She just wants everyone to have a great day," I tell her.

  "You're right," Mum replies, smoothing her hair. "Okay, let's do this."

  Mum walks past us without another word. I don't know what she's going to do now, but she seems much calmer, so Savannah and I don't follow.

  A few of the guests--some I recognise and others I don't--start piling into the room.

  "Where should I sit, Mr Usher?" Savannah asks.

  I shrug. "Wherever you want."

  "Well, do Brooke and Freddy want his family on one side and hers on the other?"

  I shrug again.

  "You're a terrible usher."

  "They didn't tell me I had to separate people."

  "They must want people to sit on any side then."

  I follow her as she finds a seat on the third row from the front.

  "You need to be at the front, Kent."

  "I'm sitting with you."

  She frowns like I'm doing this all wrong.

  How am I the one doing this wrong? As if I'm going to fuck off to the front and leave my girlfriend behind.

  "Do you think my sister or my mum would want you sitting back here while I'm up there?" I ask, pointing to the reserved row.

  Her mouth parts, ready to argue, but she presses her lips together when she realises I'm right. I'm always right.

  Standing up, she walks round the rows to the front.

  "Good girl," I mutter.

  "I'm looking forward to meeting more of your family."

  "Don't. They're all weird."

  "They are not."

  "My cousins share a woman."

  "What?" she hushes, leaning closer. "Like, they're both with her, with her?"

  I nod. "It's always the elephant in the room because they go places together."

  "Are they all here today?"

  "Yep."

  "Where?"

  I take a look around the room, and it's filling up quickly. My grandparents sit down at the other end of the row and wave when they realise I'm there.

  "Three rows back. Two blond guys sitting on either side of the red."

  "Are they brothers?"

  "No, they're cousins. My mum has two sisters."

  "That's less weird but still weird."

  "Oh, I know."

  "Do they live together?"

  "They all rent separate places. I don't know if they plan to buy together."

  Her mouth drops. "Why don't you know this? How could you not have asked?"

  "It's not my business, and I don't really care."

  "Well, start caring!"

  "Ask Heidi. She probably knows."

  "Oh, I'm planning on befriending the red! What's her name?"

  I laugh. "You're so nosy."

  "I'm curious. Her name?"