Love & Lies

by Michelle Iannarelli

  “I’ve given up on that dream.”

  “Aww, Sis.” Ryan hugged Alex.

  “So did mom cry when you told her?”

  “I haven’t told them yet.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because you were the one who was always my personal cheerleader, who sat up at night helping me study so I would pass the Bar Exam, you made me really awful coffee, gave me pep talks and you’re the best sister ever.”

  “Awful coffee?”

  “That’s what you got out of my heartfelt speech?” Ryan laughed.

  “I love you.”

  “I love you too. And yes, your coffee was like mud and sometimes it crunched.”

  “I can’t be responsible for faulty coffee filters.”

  “You redeemed yourself by allowing me to have sex with Faith.”

  “Ewww, you two are going to make me puke!”

  “What, why?”

  “Faith thinks it’s funny to give me details about your boy parts and watch me squirm.”

  “She told you about my man parts?”

  “Yes, she talked about your boy parts.”

  “Well then, you know I have man parts and not boy parts.” Ryan winked.

  “Ok, enough!”

  “What else did Faith say about me?”

  “Fishing for compliments?”

  “Guys like to know what women think.”

  “Well then, why don’t you leave a sex satisfaction survey on the nightstand.” Alex laughed.

  Ryan picked up a dish towel and threw it at her. “Fine, don’t tell me. I’ll ask Faith myself, next time I see her.”

  “Are you seeing her again?”

  “You mean hooking up? No. I don’t want anything serious.”

  “That’s what I thought.”

  “Thought?”

  “Yes, thought. As much as I would like to see you happy and in love, I know you enjoy playing the field.”

  “I do. I like being able to do whoever, whenever. No whining, complaining or restrictions.”

  “Maybe I should take a page from your playbook.”

  “What happened to that other guy, Dane?”

  “He’s around. I’m supposed to see him tonight. But Ry, I know he isn’t the one.”

  “Alex, if you want to find the one, then ditch him and move on. If you have fun with him then keep him around but let him know you are not exclusive so that nobody gets hurt.”

  “We do have fun when we are together.”

  “Last chance to tell me what Faith said about me before I head off to tell mom and dad.”

  “Seriously, why does it matter?”

  “It doesn’t really matter but I like to see you squirm.” Ryan winked.

  “Well, I will put it to you this way, if you asked for a round two, you’d get a definite yes!”

  “Good to know. You know, in case I can’t find a fresh piece of ass.”

  “Go, go tell the parents. Before you cause me to puke up my drink.”

  “For the record, Faith is a fucking animal in bed and I loved every minute of it.”

  “Out, out! I love you.”

  Ryan kissed Alex on the forehead. “Love you too.”

  Alex walked him out and then ran upstairs to get ready for her date with Dane.

  Faith dressed for her dinner date with Miles. She felt much better knowing the reason Miles didn’t have sex with her was because he wanted to avoid hurting her. He was a good guy and she felt sorry for him. Having him as a friend to hang out with was fun. They had gone bowling, to the movies, for pizza and now this dinner which he was in need of a date.

  Faith’s phone began ringing. She could hear it but she couldn’t find it under the pile of clothes she had on top of the bed. Finally, she found it and of course it had stopped ringing. She looked at her missed calls and found out that it was Alex that had called, so she dialed her back.

  “Hey, what’s up?”

  “I thought you were avoiding me.” Alex laughed.

  “No, I just happened to have buried my phone under a gigantic pile of clothes. I’m trying to figure out what to wear to that dinner with Miles.”

  “Oh yeah, I almost forgot, the Cruz Foundation Dinner is tonight.”

  “I’m sorry, Alex. If I knew what I was saying yes to at first, I would have said no.”

  “It’s totally alright. Miles is a great guy and I am happy that you two have become friends. It gives me an excuse to still see him.”

  “I really wish…”

  “Nope, not happening.”

  “But Alex…”

  “It’s over, actually it never started. I was just taken in by his…” Alex cleared her throat. “Look, I have to go, Dane is picking me up for dinner soon. Have a great time tonight.”

  “Oh, Alex.”

  “I’m fine. I love you. Say hello to Miles for me.”

  “I will and I love you too, Sweetie.”

  Miguel arrived home from work to shower and change before the dinner. The dinner he didn’t want to attend. As each day went by he missed Alex more than he ever thought could be possible. He grabbed a drink and headed for the shower.

  As he showered he thought about Alex and what it was like to be inside her. He wanted more, he knew she wasn’t like the rest of those girls from that very first moment he saw her. Thinking about her had him so hard. He lathered himself up and began stroking his cock. He leaned back against the shower wall, closed his eyes and tried to imagine she was there with him.

  He thought back to when she was standing in front of him naked. Her big green eyes, her long dark hair and her olive skin, making her look like she had been kissed by the sun. Her body was curvy, and his hands loved grabbing her ass. Her skin was so soft and she smelled like jasmine and musk and he craved that scent.

  Miguel began to moan and then started to cum. When it was over, he opened his eyes full knowing Alex would not be there with him but it was still disappointing to see just a shower wall.

  Eden got home and yelled out for Miguel but he didn’t answer. However, Miles was in the house and he heard her calling out.

  “Eden, your brother is getting changed.”

  Eden swung around and Miles was standing behind her with his arms open, waiting for a hug.

  “It’s so good to be home, Miles.”

  “It’s good to have you home.”

  Eden let Miles go and stepped back.

  “My, you do clean up well.”

  “You don’t look so bad yourself.”

  “So bad?”

  “Alright, you look absolutely gorgeous, Eden.”

  Eden smiled. “Now, that may be a little too much!”

  “Hey, what do you want from me?”

  “The truth.”

  “I think you look sexy as hell.”

  “Miles, did you forget that’s my sister you are talking to?”

  Miles and Eden looked up at Miguel who was coming down the stairs.

  “Oh please! You know Miles and I have been teasing each other for years now.”

  “I know, but when you look this beautiful, it doesn’t hurt to remind him.”

  Miguel hugged his sister.

  “Thanks for the vote of confidence, Migs.”

  “Just teasing, Miles. I know you would never do anything to ruin our friendship. That’s what makes us like a real family.”

  Eden grabbed both Miles’ and Miguel’s hands. “We are a real family. I don’t know what I would ever do without either one of you.”

  “Eden, you’re not going to have to find out. So please stop worrying.”

  “Migs is right. We’re not going anywhere, except to this dinner, which we are going to be late to if we don’t leave now.”

  Miles grabbed his keys. “I will see you there.”

  “You don’t want to ride with us?”

  “It’s ok, you and Eden head over, I have to pick up Faith.”

  “Is Faith one of the women I saw you with in London?”

  Miles turned and
looked at Eden like she had two heads. “You were in London?”

  “Pictures were plastered all over social media. In fact, some of them were…”

  “Oh yeah, I forgot about that. No, she isn’t.”

  “You sure keep yourself busy with the ladies.”

  “Eden, give him a break. He was entertaining those women for me. I had a dinner to attend and I asked him to keep them busy. Miles was just doing me a favor.”

  “I’m just busting his chops.”

  “Miles, why don’t we just swing by and pick up Faith on the way.”

  “Fine. I will text her and let her know we are on our way.”

  Dane arrived at Alex’s door with flowers.

  “Flowers, how sweet.”

  “Well, I thought I would give you those now to make up for this dinner.”

  “What do you mean? Where are you taking me, dumpster diving?”

  Dane burst out laughing. “No, if we were doing that, I would have told you to wear something more appropriate for the occasion.”

  Alex laughed. “Ok, so explain.”

  “You see I got roped into this dinner and selfishly invited you for my own benefit of having the most beautiful date in the room. However, and this is where the flowers come into play, the dinner that we are going to, well if you still agree to go, is for the Cruz Foundation.”

  Alex felt sick, she instantly had a pain in the pit of her stomach. How could she go. Miguel would be there; could she handle being in the same room with him?

  “And you just decided to tell me this now?”

  “It never really occurred to me that you may feel uncomfortable, you know because you quit, it wasn’t like you were fired. Well, until my pal, Lane, said something to me earlier and I decided I needed to tell you before we arrived at the dinner. If it’s too much to ask, then I understand. I can go alone.”

  Alex felt bad for Dane, she didn’t want him to have to go alone. She also didn’t want to have to go.

  “I’m not sure how I feel about it. Sounds like it could be a bit awkward.”

  Dane walked over to Alex and kissed her on the cheek. “One, you look ravishing in red and Two, I’m sorry. Call me tomorrow if you’re still speaking to me.” Dane walked toward the door.

  “Wait.”

  “You still want to come?”

  “Not really but I said I would be your date and a dates a date.”

  “We don’t have to stay long, just make an appearance and then…” Dane kissed Alex.

  “Ok, let me grab my purse.”

  As Alex went to get her purse thoughts of Miguel ran through her mind. She mumbled quietly under her breath, “I can do this for Dane. Yes, Dane. Not for my own selfish desire to see Miguel. It will be brief and for Dane’s benefit, not mine. Oh, Alex, who the hell are you kidding?”

  MILES AND FAITH HEADED inside to find their seats after arriving. Miguel got caught by the press as he exited the car with Eden. After several attempts to move inside Miguel and Eden finally did just that.

  “Oh thank goodness, I thought you’d never stop talking.”

  “Eden, this event is very important and if I need to spend a few minutes talking to the press for some positive publicity then I will. What’s wrong with you?”

  “I’m sorry, yes I understand and I agree with you about the publicity.”

  Miguel lifted Eden’s chin up so that he could look at her.

  “What’s really wrong?”

  “Why don’t we go and have a drink. We can talk later.”

  “Ok. But don’t think I’m going to let you off the hook.”

  “I know you won’t.”

  Miguel grabbed his sister’s hand and headed to the bar.

  Miles and Faith sat down at their table and sipped their drinks.

  “You look very pretty tonight, Faith.”

  “Thank you. You do look quite handsome yourself.”

  “So have you seen Alex lately?”

  “Yes. She’s miserable, but I didn’t tell you that.”

  “Ok, then I’m not telling you that Miguel is too.”

  “I wish we could take the two of them and lock them in a room until they figure this out.”

  “Tell me where and when, I will bring the handcuffs…”

  “Hi, you two.”

  Miles looked up and Eden and Miguel were hovering over them.

  Miguel winked at Miles. “Handcuffs, huh.”

  Miles felt slightly embarrassed but couldn’t tell him what they were really talking about so he smiled back at Miguel. Eden looked at them and shook her head as she sat down.

  Dane and Alex walked in and Dane saw his friend Eric.

  “Eric.”

  Eric looked up and walked over. “Hey, Dane. So you were talked into coming to this shindig too?”

  “Like Blade would let either of us off the hook?” Dane laughed.

  “Eric, this is my date, Alex DiPietro. Alex, my colleague and friend, Eric Lee.”

  Eric extended his hand to Alex and they shook. “Nice to meet you, Alex.”

  “Likewise, Eric.”

  “Let’s get this party started so we can leave.” Dane winked at Alex.

  “I’m in.”

  Eric nodded, “Me too.”

  The three walked towards the ballroom.

  Dane and Eric were at the bar ordering drinks. Alex had gone off to the Ladies Room. She needed a few minutes to calm her nerves before she saw Miguel.

  “Eric, Dane, thank you for coming.”

  The men turned around and Miguel was standing behind them.

  “Hey, Blade.”

  “Eric, not here.”

  “Sorry.”

  “Can I get you a drink, Miguel?”

  “Sure, I’ll take a Scotch straight up. I’ll be right back, one sec, Eric.” Miguel walked over to a couple standing nearby who were very generous donors.

  “Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Garfield.”

  Dane smiled as he turned around. “Just in time, your drink is ready.” Dane handed Alex her drink.

  “Thank you.”

  Miguel turned around and the sight of Alex took his breath away. She looked stunning. Then he realized she was there with Dane and jealousy coursed through his veins. He took a deep breath and walked over to her.

  “Alex, what a surprise. I didn’t expect to see you here.”

  Alex could smell his cologne and feel his presence behind her. She turned around and nodded at Miguel. “Hello.”

  Dane handed Miguel his drink. “Here you go, Buddy.”

  Buddy? Dane said Buddy? He was friends with Miguel? Oh God, this night just went from bad to worse. If Miguel is Dane’s friend, is he also Blade?

  “Thanks, Dane. So how long have you two been together?”

  “Excuse me, I’m going to go look for Faith.” Alex walked off as she downed her drink.

  “We met a while back when she first started working for you, we ended up in the same elevator.”

  “She’s a great find. Bartender, can I have a double, please.”

  Dane looked at Eric and then they looked at Miguel.

  “Are you pissed that I brought her here?”

  “No. Why, would I be?”

  Eric gave Dane a nod and Dane walked off.

  “Do you have the hots for her?”

  Miguel took a swig of his drink and then turned around and looked at Eric.

  “I don’t have a problem with Dane bringing her. I do not have the hots for her. I just want a damn drink is all.” Miguel finished his drink, placed his glass down on the bar and took off towards his table.

  Miles was talking to Eden and Faith was checking social media on her phone when it buzzed in her hand. She checked her messages and it was from Alex.

  Alex: You won’t believe where Dane took me for dinner?

  Faith: Where?

  Alex: Same place you’re eating dinner. Meet me in the Ladies Room.

  Faith: I’m on my way.

  Faith got up from the table, “Miles,
I will be right back.”

  “Ok, I’ll be here.”

  Faith headed off in search of the Ladies Room. When she walked inside she could hear Alex crying in the stall.

  “Alex, it’s me.”

  Alex opened the stall door and came out. Faith hugged her.

  “I saw him.”

  “Sweetie, let me go get my purse and I will take you home.”

  “No, no I can’t. I feel sorry for Dane. I’ve made such a mess of my life.”

  “Alex, calm down. Everything will work out the way it’s meant to.”

  “I know. I just wish it didn’t have to hurt so much.”

  “Give me your purse, now go blow that nose and clean up your face.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “What’s the deal with Eden?”

  “I don’t know her that well. She seems like Miguel spoiled her a bit, she’s very verbal and she doesn’t live here, she lives in Chicago.”

  “Miles and I were talking and she looked annoyed that we weren’t talking to her. So I gestured for Miles to talk to her and I started reading messages on my social media accounts.”

  “I think she is very protective of Miguel and Miles. I heard her telling them that she didn’t know how she could go on if anything ever happened to either of them. Maybe she was making sure you weren’t going to hurt him.”

  “Me, hurt him? She should find whoever the woman is that has his heart and beat some sense into her until she either returns his love or his heart.”

  “True.”

  “You look much better now. Are you ready to get back out there?”

  “No, but I can’t hide in a bathroom stall for the rest of the night, so here goes it.”

  “Let’s stop by the bar for some liquid courage on the way back to the table, shall we?”

  Alex wrapped her arm around Faith’s waist. “We shall.”

  And off to the bar they headed.

  THE NIGHT WAS COMING to an end. Alex couldn’t believe she had survived. Luckily, Miguel was pulled in so many different directions that he was barely at the table and when he was, Eden was monopolizing his time.

  Miguel walked back to the table. He picked up his coffee cup and took a sip, then he placed the cup back down. “I want to take a minute to thank you all for coming, it means a lot to me, that I have your support.” As Miguel spoke he looked around the table at Eric, Faith, Miles, Eden, Dane and then his eyes stayed on Alex long enough that everyone else at the table noticed. They also noticed that once Alex caught Miguel’s eyes, she couldn’t look away either.