Mendacious

by Beth Ashworth

  And thankfully, everything baby related seems to be keeping her occupied, so she hasn’t been hounding me with questions on the progress of the move. Especially now that the lawsuit has been dropped, and I have a bit more control with what I’m trying to achieve.

  Things changed for us at the twelve week scan. The moment we saw that baby on that screen and the life we’ve both created together, the world literally realigned in a nanosecond, and we knew we were doing the right thing for our little flump.

  Whereas before the scan, even though we had discussed wanting to make it work, and had the chance to get all our feelings across, Libby was still on the fence about us. She wouldn’t back down with the lawsuit until she felt comfortable things were going to work out, which was when she held that little scan picture in her hand.

  Now, we are at twenty weeks, and planning our future. We are still living separately, but you’ll find either of us at each other’s places each night of the week. We are taking it slow as we try and build that trust again.

  “Have you thought anymore about a name?” Libby asks, gently cradling her stomach. “I know you didn’t like my suggestions the other week.”

  “I’ve thought of a few.”

  She gets excited. “Tell me.”

  “Well, I like Oscar for a boy and Matilda for a girl.” As soon I say the names, I see the grimace on her face and laugh. “That a no, then?”

  “It’s not that I don’t like them ... I’ve just come up with some new ones.”

  “Right ...” I prepare myself. I haven’t liked any of the names she has suggested over the last few weeks, but we’ll see.

  “Oliver for a boy and Sienna for a girl,” she says.

  They aren’t bad, actually. I’m just a little miffed that they aren’t my choice, so I don’t give her any reaction at all, apart from a casual shrug. “They are alright, I guess.”

  “You hate them?” she seems hurt.

  My eyes roll of their own accord and I sigh. “I tell you what, how about we toss a coin after he or she is born. Heads we pick my name, and tails you get yours?”

  Libby purses her lips. “I guess that seems fair.”

  “It is. Now will you go and get ready?”

  “For what?”

  Putting my hands on her shoulders, I steer Libby toward the stairs. “It’s Wednesday.”

  “Yes ...”

  “It’s date night,” I remind her with a soft chuckle. “Just because we’ve been to the scan today, it doesn’t mean you get to bail on my Wednesday night. Now, will you go and change into something for dinner?” I press a chaste kiss against the side of her neck and pat her arse to get her moving before sitting back in the living room.

  ~

  “You don’t have to take me to a posh restaurant,” Libby tells me when I pull into a parking space under The Bullring shopping centre. “I want something simple.”

  “Good job.” I open my door and round the car to open the same for Libby. “I already decided on Nando’s.”

  “A coincidence. I was looking at the menu earlier.” She slides out of the car and balances her handbag on her wrist. “Sometimes, it’s nice to just be simple.”

  “Simple? Being simple is staying at home and making our own food. Not many people can afford to eat out all the time,” I remind her when I press the call button for the lift and lean against the wall.

  “I didn’t mean it like that. I meant it’s nice to go out for a meal that isn’t eight million courses long, and decorated with broccoli stalks on the side of the plate.”

  I smile. “It’s so easy to reel you in, sweetheart. You take the bait every time.”

  “Whatever,” Libby mumbles, getting in the lift behind me. “I always fall for it.”

  “Yep.”

  “I don’t like banter.”

  “Sure you do,” I murmur, pressing up behind her and nuzzling her neck when the lift doors close. “It keeps you on your toes.”

  Her body melts against mine and I hear her subtle sigh. “Not in the lift,” she whispers when my tongue traces the curve of her neck.

  “I haven’t had a taste today. Are you trying to starve me?”

  “Ace—”

  The lift stops and the doors open on the ground floor of the shopping centre. Libby breaks away and I spot the increasing redness spread over her pale cheeks.

  “You’re so cute at times,” I tease.

  “I’m cute all the time,” she laughs.

  “Yeah. But you weren’t earlier this afternoon at the scan,” I murmur quietly.

  I know she hears what I say because she immediately steps out of the lift and heads toward the small food court without bothering to wait.

  Me and my big mouth.

  Walking behind, I snatch her hand and entwine our fingers. “Don’t get grumpy, sweetheart.” I give her a playful squeeze. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”

  “It’s fine.”

  Her tone comes across a little frosty, but I shrug it off as pregnancy hormones and hope dinner doesn’t turn as disastrous as I’m now anticipating.

  We head into Nando’s and get given a small table for the two of us. We are crammed in pretty tightly between loads of other tables, but I had already expected it. This place is always heaving with chicken lovers.

  “Do you know what you want?” I don’t bother picking up my menu. I’ve been here that many times I could practically recite my order backwards while standing on my head.

  “Yes.”

  “You’ve decided?”

  “Yes.”

  “Want me to order?”

  “Yes.”

  “Are you just going to give me one word answers?” I arch an eyebrow and rub my jaw. “Tell me your order.”

  Libby rolls her eyes and pushes back her chair. “I’ll order myself.”

  She gets up and heads for the counter, and I’m quickly following behind. “Sweetheart,” I murmur, putting my hand on her shoulder. “Are you alright?”

  “I’m fine,” she replies, her eyes focused on the guys grilling chicken behind the counter.

  I know she’s not fine, but I hold my tongue until we’ve both ordered and are sitting back down with our fizzy drinks.

  “Come on then,” I start, leaning back in my chair. “Tell me what an arsehole you think I am.”

  Bringing the straw to her lips, I watch Libby suck softly and put the glass back on the table. “I told you, I’m fine.”

  “Like hell you are.”

  “Just leave it.”

  I lean forward and rest my elbows on the table. “It’s date night, so I don’t want this tension between us. We’re supposed to be making this work, but I feel like you’ve just gone ten steps back.”

  “Alex, stop.”

  “Are you still mad about the scan?”

  “Yes.”

  “I didn’t want to know, though.”

  “But I did.”

  Blowing out a breath, I mull over my next words, knowing this light argument could either escalate or disappear depending on what angle I decide to take. But then again, do I really want to cause such a big argument?

  “I don’t wanna fight over this. I understand where you’re coming from, but you have to see it from my side, too. I didn’t want to know, and I can bet that if you found out by yourself, then you wouldn’t have kept it a secret from me. It will be a nice surprise.” I soften my lips to a small smile and hope she takes my words on board. If not, we’ll be making a quick escape before Libby blows and causes a scene, because I’d rather not be kicked out of Nando’s.

  Otherwise, where will I get my spicy chicken fix from?

  “I get it. We shouldn’t fight over something so stupid. We’ve grown from what we were like, so I don’t want us going backwards either. We should be talking these things out.” Libby takes another sip of her drink and looks to me with an apologetic sigh. “I’m sorry. I just really, really wanted to know.”

  Nodding, I take her hand across the table. “I know, sweethea
rt. But I promise you, it’ll be worth the wait to have that surprise in the delivery room. I’ll be there every step of the way with you.” My thumb strokes over her knuckles reassuringly. “Now, can we have a date night do over?” I ask when our food is put in front of us. “Wanna go to the pictures after? They’re showing that new Tom Hardy film you want to see.”

  And just like that, Libby’s bright smile returns. “I love a bit of Tom Hardy.”

  TWENTY

  Libby eyes me curiously when I put down the baby catalogue I’ve been forced to read all afternoon and smile in her direction.

  “Why do you look so happy?” she snorts, nodding toward the pile of catalogues on the coffee table. “You’ve got another three to look at after that one.”

  “I can’t look at more baby clothes,” I shudder. “I’ve read enough now.”

  Her face drops. “I thought it was fun?”

  “Oh, it was ... for maybe an hour.”

  And it was. But considering I’ve been flicking through catalogues for about three and a half hours, I’m now absolutely sick of the sight of little people’s clothes.

  But at least it killed the time in between me possibly spilling the beans. I’m impressed I’ve managed to keep all of this a secret.

  “No more catalogues. It’s time we were heading off anyway,” I say, holding onto her hands and slowly pulling her up from the sofa. Her bump is huge now, and at thirty-seven weeks she keeps complaining about pain in her lower back, and how the baby is too heavy for her to carry. That, mixed with the ongoing headaches, means I’ve been running round like a loon trying to keep her happy.

  Libby stands and rests her palm on my chest. “Where are we going? You didn’t mention anything earlier.”

  I tap my index finger against the side of my nose with a soft smile. “It’s a surprise.”

  Her face lights up. “A surprise?” she asks giddily. “What sort of surprise?”

  “Libby.”

  “Okay, I’m going,” she says, pouting her lips at me, and waddling into the hallway to put some flip flops on her swollen feet.

  Following behind, I rest my hand on her lower back and give her a gentle pat when she bends slightly to pick up her bag from the floor. “You’re going to love it.”

  “Don’t tease me.”

  “What?” I laugh, sliding my bare feet into a pair of stone coloured boat shoes, or driving loafers as Libby calls them. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

  “Fine.” She grabs my blazer from the banister on the stairs and passes it to me. “Wear this today,” she says, eyeing my slim, navy tailored trousers that she’s rolled-up at the bottom, and paired with a white button shirt.

  It’s a far cry from my usually pristine three-piece suits, but I’m trying to look edgier as Libby keeps insisting I do. Like, today, for example. I’ve let her dress me as if I’m going to a high society polo match where I’m going to eat little cucumber sandwiches cut in triangles and drink iced tea with my pinky raised.

  It’s for your own sanity, remember. She’s pregnant.

  I keep telling myself I’ll have my control back after these nine months are up. And it can’t bloody get here quick enough.

  I’m telling you.

  ~

  With a sleep mask covering Libby’s eyes and my hands resting on her shoulders, I steer her along the corridor and straight through a set of double doors.

  “Surprise!” I lift the mask just as everyone around the room stands and cheers, “Congratulations!”

  Libby jumps back against me, completely caught off guard by the surge of people coming toward us. Our friends. Our family. Everyone is here to celebrate the baby growing inside of her.

  “What is this?” Libby squeals, turning around to face me, her eyes alight with excitement. “Did you do all of it?”

  “It’s your baby shower, sweetheart,” I say, lightly brushing my lips against her forehead. “Now enjoy it.”

  She smiles and turns back to the group of women waiting to usher her over to a long table decorated with white and yellow baby decorations and cupcakes. There are balloons hanging from the ceiling in the same colour theme, and a table off to the side that’s covered with an array of gifts.

  “You did a great job, Kelly,” I murmur under my breath as I pass to the other side of the room where my sister and mother are standing away from the rabble. “Thank you for coming.” I kiss both of their cheeks and stand beside them. “It’s lovely, right?”

  “It’s beautiful, darling.”

  “Yeah, it’s nice.” Alice runs a hand through her hair and sighs. “I can’t believe we are standing at your baby shower.”

  “You can sit down?” I laugh, but get where she is coming from. None of us expected this to happen, and the shock for my family was huge. But I’m thankful they have come round to the idea, and to some extent, embraced the fact there will be a baby in the family.

  Although Libby and I are a long way off from forgetting the past, I’m happy to see my family making an effort for us, because I know it was hard for them seven years ago. It’s a shame about Libby’s family though. Her parents aren’t thrilled with us being together again, but I can sense them warming. Their greetings are becoming friendlier the more I see them, so it will hopefully be a matter of time before they finally concede.

  But, I’m also being cautious this time round with our relationship, and I know Libby is doing the same. There is more at stake this time round, and more feelings that can be hurt as a result. This affects not just the two of us, but our entire families.

  “I’m ... Umm ... Gonna go over ...” Alice nods to the group of giggling women and starts walking toward them. She puts her hand on Libby’s shoulder, and when she turns, they both smile and hug.

  “I’m proud of you,” my mother says, watching the exchange between Alice and Libby.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, you were both strong enough to realise, despite the problems in the past, that the love you share is more important.” She reaches and takes my hand. “Everything else can be worked on slowly. As long as there is love, you have a chance at moving forward.”

  “We both agree,” I say, my eyes fixed on Libby, who is stuffing a cupcake in her mouth. She turns to me at that exact moment with frosting on her upper lip and shoots me with a cute eye smile that tugs a feeling in my chest.

  She looks even more beautiful as each day comes.

  And then I see who walks through the door behind her, and my illusion of a happy day is smashed to pieces.

  “Give me a minute, mum,” I murmur, touching her shoulder before heading across the room. Libby spots me and assumes I’m coming for her. But I’m not. I’m going straight for Dale.

  “Alex.” He murmurs my name when I approach. “Didn’t know you were gonna be here, but I’m glad. I thought baby showers were for the women, anyway?” He smugly cocks his head to the side, and I resist the swelling urge to wipe it straight off his face.

  Because, despite him telling me that Oakley Finance will stay away from our clients, he has still managed over the last five weeks to poach another three from our list. He’s simply a bastard who can’t be trusted. And at least Libby understands this, too.

  I eye the present in his hand. “Thanks for the gift. I’ll take it and you can leave,” I growl. “We wouldn’t want to keep you from your afternoon.”

  “I’m actually here to call a truce,” he says with a sigh. “And I want to give her the present myself.”

  “Libby,” I call over my shoulder, “your brother is here.”

  I’m keeping him near the door on purpose, so he can leave without causing a fuss. Or I can throw him out ... whichever works.

  “Hey.” Libby greets her brother from a cautious distance and offers him a slight smile. “You didn’t have to get us anything,” she says, pointing to the present in his hand.

  Dale flicks a glance in my direction and meets my hardened eyes. He clears his throat and replies with, “I actually n
eed to talk to Alex. But you can take this.” He hands Libby the present and cocks his head toward the door. “Pop outside with me?” he asks.

  Libby looks between us both. “Do I need to be worried about whatever is gonna happen out there?”

  “Your brother just wants to chat.” I give her a reassuring wink and head outside.

  ~

  Standing in the hallway with my arms folded, I wait for Dale to start. He paces up and down a couple of times as if he isn’t sure about what to say. I’m about to open my mouth when he finally turns to me with a pained look.

  “I can’t pretend I’m still okay with all of this, but for my sister, I will have to be. I’ve seen how she has been changing over the last few months, and how happy she is.” I don’t say anything and let him finish. “She hasn’t been like this in a long time. And I know I have you to thank for that. This baby has given her a distraction. After the miscarriage, I wasn’t sure how she would cope being pregnant again, but you’ve helped her. I just can’t see her go through this again though. I mean, if you hurt her—”

  Holding up my hand, I halt him. “Listen, I don’t plan on doing anything to hurt your sister. I love her. But this shit between us needs to be buried. I get that we have a history, but I don’t want my child being born into this minefield.”

  “I understand.”

  “And the shit with the poaching needs to stop. You’re not only affecting my business, but also my family. It’s my livelihood and I’ve worked bloody hard for it. So by taking my clients, you are effectively taking food off my dinner table, and I won’t have it,” I warn him. “You need to stop it before I have no choice but to go further.”

  I expect him to bite back, kick off, tear me apart, but it’s nothing like that. He simply nods his head and tells me, “I agree with you.”

  I’m sorry, what?

  “You agree?” I ask uncertainly, waiting for a catch that doesn’t materialise.

  “It does need to stop. I’ve held a grudge for too long, and I know it isn’t healthy. I’m sorry, for everything. But I’ll always be protective over my sister, and I need you to respect that, because I won’t change that.”