The Lies Between Us

by M. N. Forgy

  “Night, Cherry,” he whispers into the back of my head.

  “Night, Lip,” I reply into the dark.

  I try to keep my eyes open, attempting to defy the sleep stinging my eyes, but I can feel them getting heavier. No! I can wait till Lip falls asleep, wait till the party stops and find my way back to the freeway. Though we did ride a ways away from my car. I shift and blink a few times, trying to wake myself up, but my body soon takes comfort in the warm, solid muscle pressed against my back and the soft mattress beneath me. I easily fall asleep.

  ***

  I wake to the warm sun shining on my face. Moaning, I stretch out along the bed and soft sheets. Bed. I’m in a bed. I sit up suddenly, remembering where I am. The Devil’s Dust club. I look around and find Lip missing. Shit. I close my eyes, and smack myself in the forehead. Why did I sleep in his bed last night? Why didn’t I have him take me back to my car?

  Throwing the blankets off me, I search for my shorts and flip-flops. I hurry and put them on then open the door to sneak out. I smell eggs, and my belly growls; I haven’t had a decent meal in days. I cross my arms and curiously walk down the hall. The place is cleaner than it was last night. You can’t even tell there was a party here. I come into the main area and see Bull, Lip, and some other guys sitting around the bar.

  Lip stands from his seat and walks up to me. He gently grabs my wrist and tugs me closer.

  “You hungry?”

  I look around him and find all the guys staring at me before quickly turning back to their meal.

  “Yeah, kinda,” I lie. I’m so fucking hungry it’s taking everything I have not to rush over to one of their plates and shovel down their eggs.

  “Take my spot. I’ll get you a plate.” He walks away, pushing through two double doors that I assume lead into a kitchen.

  I slowly head to the stool Lip was sitting on and take a seat. Looking over, Bull smiles at me around a mouth full of food.

  “You sleep good, darling?” Bull questions. His smile is so contagious and welcoming that I can’t help but smile back. He doesn’t seem nearly as intimidating in the sunlight.

  “Yeah, I did,” I respond.

  “Good. Good to hear,” he mutters.

  Lip comes out and places a plate of eggs in front of me, and I instantly pick the fork up and start eating. Actually, I inhale them. Quickly.

  “You want more?” Lip laughs, grabbing my plate. I glance up and see Bull eyeing me with a look of concern. I flick my eyes down to the clean plate and my cheeks warm with embarrassment. Shit, I should have paced myself or something.

  “No, I’m good,” I mutter. I hop down from the stool and look around the room, finding two half-naked girls eyeing me from a black leather couch in the corner.

  I glare at them. The guys might be a little scary, but girls don’t faze me. I’ve been known to bloody my knuckles a few times.

  Lip grabs my hand and leads me back down the hall. My hand blazes with that familiar rush when he touches me. I close my eyes and gently pull it away before we reach his room. I need to get away from Lip. Far away. I am having a hard time telling him no to anything and need to put some distance between us before I regret it.

  “I need to get back to my car before they tow it.” I scrunch my lips to the side and give a half-nod.

  “About that.” Lip tucks his hands into his pockets. I shift my head sideways and lift an eyebrow. “I don’t like you staying in that car all day by yourself.” He shakes his head. “It’s not safe.”

  I scowl. What does this guy think I’m going to do, sit in his room and play princess all day?

  I purse my lips and give a curt nod. It’s nice that he cares, but that’s as far as that thought process needs to go.

  “I’ll be fine. I can stay at my brother’s place,” I state, looking off. He doesn’t say anything, and tension rises. I finally look at him and notice his face is serious, lips in a firm line.

  He flicks his brown eyes to mine. “Why don’t you just stay here?” He shrugs.

  My mouth pops open in shock. My pride rises, overcoming any attraction I might have for Lip.

  “I don’t need a man to take care of me,” I snap. “Take me to my car. Now!”

  Lip’s head lowers with a loud exhale. He places his hands on his hips, and inhales slowly.

  “You stay at your brother’s, Cherry.” He says it like an order, and it angers me. “Agree, or I’m not taking you back.”

  I growl in frustration. Who the fuck does he think he is?

  “Yeah, fine. Okay, I will,” I lie. There’s no way I’m going to Tyler’s; it’s too dangerous.

  Lip steps into the room, grabbing his keys.

  “Let’s ride,” he mutters. His words come out masculine, and hard, but there is so much meaning behind them. Revving me just right, I nearly moan in response. Instead, I bite my inner cheek, nearly drawing blood. God, he’s so rugged and alpha, it’s hard not to be attracted to him. I follow him out of the club and toward his bike. He lowers the heavy black helmet on my head, his fingers adjusting the chin strap while his eyes search mine. He has that look again, the one that makes me feel vulnerable. It’s as if he can see right down to my broken soul. It makes my chest tingle, and my toes curl into my foam flip-flops. He pulls his gaze from mine and throws his leg over his bike.

  I climb on the back and wrap my arms around him, his fresh scent strong and refreshing first thing in the morning. The bike starts and the vibration rocks me. The sun is bearing down on my skin and the wind picks up, throwing my hair everywhere. I close my eyes and fly.

  ***

  I climb off the bike and hand Lip his helmet.

  “Well, it’s been fun.” I laugh sheepishly, obviously terrible at this. Lip chuckles and takes the helmet.

  “Yeah. It’s been surprising; that’s for sure.”

  “What’s that mean?” I tilt my head to the side.

  “I just…” Lip looks out at the traffic of the freeway. “I wasn’t expecting someone as cool as you, is all.”

  I smile and give him a soft punch in the arm. “You’re such a softie.”

  Lip’s face goes serious, and he flexes his arm. “I’m not soft. Think you figured that out last night.” He winks and I roll my eyes. I knew he was poking me in the ass on purpose.

  “Okay, stud muffin, I’ll see you around.”

  “Bet your ass you will.” He starts the bike, and I head back to my car. My car that holds my broken dreams and heartache.

  Lip flies past me, the smell of exhaust the only thing of him left. I unlock the door and roll down the windows; it’s hot as hell in the car. I plop down in the seat and blow a breath of air into my cheeks.

  “Guess I’ll pick a different freeway, see if I can pickpocket some clueless bastard.” Another day, another wallet, or watch. I’m not sure where this will get me, but I’m also not looking at the bigger picture—just the here and now. Surviving, trying to live. If I’m dead, I’ll never be able to save Piper.

  ***

  A loud knock wakes me and I jump from the front seat, my face stinging from the imprint of the shirt I used as a pillow on my face. The knocking sounds again and my head whips to the driver’s side window, the laundromat sign that was on when I went to sleep is now turned off. I rub at my eyes and lower my head to look out the window. It’s Lip. Shit! I roll the window down, a breeze of fresh air taking my breath away.

  “So, where does your brother sleep?” Lip questions sarcastically. I roll my eyes and look out the front of the windshield. Lip darts his hand through the window and unlocks the door.

  “How did you find me?” I ask, stepping out.

  “Do you know how hot it is outside, not to mention in a fucking car with the windows rolled up?” I cross my arms, feeling like a scorned child. “You are a woman, and a sexy one at that. A guy sees you sleeping in there by yourself, you’re putting yourself at risk!” he hollers, then pushes me to the side and leans into my car.

  “What are you doing?” I
try to look around him, but he’s so broad, he takes up most of the front. He draws back out of the car, my purse and clothes in his hands.

  “Enough of this shit. You’re coming to live with me.” He stomps past me and throws my things in his saddlebags.

  “Lip!” I follow after him, my bare feet burning along the asphalt. “I’m not going with you. I’m fine. I-I don’t even know you, Lip. Hell, you don’t even know me. You can’t just walk into my life and demand—”

  “You’re coming with me.” His words are stern, contradicting his behavior and vibe the whole time I’ve known him. The intensity coming off him makes me nervous. He’s obviously a control freak.

  “And if I don’t?” I ask, my voice shaky.

  “You will if I have to put you on the bike myself.” I cross my arms, my eyes burning with the urge to cry. Lip lets out a long sigh. He slowly steps up to me, both of his hands grabbing my elbows softly. “Let me take care of you-”

  “I don’t need you to take care of me,” I interrupt. He lifts his hand and trails the pad of his finger along my jaw line and my skin tingles, my heart beating faster.

  “No, but you want me to,” he breathes heavily. My eyes flick to his, the depth of his brown eyes consuming me, devouring me, claiming me. “You’re strong and can take care of yourself; I get that. But if something happened to you, I’d blame myself knowing I could have done something—”

  “I don’t need your sympathy, Lip. I can stay at—”

  “Your brother’s, right. I remember you saying something about that before,” he sneers. “You’re coming with me one way or another. I’ll tow this damn car with you in it if I have to, so just agree and make this easier on both of us.” I turn my head and look at the closed laundromat, my vision blurry, dizzy from dehydration. I do need help or this heat is going to kill me. He obviously isn’t going to hurt me or he would have last night. Maybe a little reprieve from this heat will help me figure out a new plan.

  “Trust me,” he mutters, his voice rough. My eyes shoot to his, his words searing through my resolve. I want to walk away, but the energy coming from him, that magnetic pull I can’t seem to escape, has me stilled. I’m like a butterfly attracted to a warm light, a light that shows the path of possibility. Hopefully, that light doesn’t burn me in the end, and possibly turn me into ashes. I’m not sure I can take any more heartache.

  “Okay,” I whisper. “I’ll follow you to your house.” As soon as the words leave my mouth, a sharp pain stabs at my chest. I am going to get hurt in the end. I just know it. He obviously wants more, but I’ll eventually have to tell him about my daughter and he’ll want nothing to do with me. Then this fucking car and I will be alone again.

  “I’ll have one of the guys come get it, take it to the club, and see about getting some AC in it or something.” He shrugs, walking back toward his bike.

  I huff and follow him. I’m one who practices independence, but I’m not about to argue with air conditioning.

  ***

  Even with the sun down, the air is still warm as it swims through my hair. Lip coming on so hard is not something I’m used to. It doesn’t help that he’s sexy as fuck, and sweet to boot. He has this alpha thing going on when he thinks he knows what’s best for me. Even though it’s irritating, it’s flattering that he cares so much.

  Lip slows down as we turn into a suburban area, houses lining up and down the road. They aren’t magnificent ones like those you might pass in some of the areas in LA, but they are nice compared to what I’ve lived in. He idles up to a light blue, one-story house with the porch light on.

  He presses a button on a garage door opener and the door slowly lifts, loud and cranking with all its might. Inside there are shelves lined with tools, and what looks like a stripped motorcycle sitting on cylinder blocks in the center. Lip puts his feet on the ground and walks the bike and us into the garage, the door closing behind us. Climbing off the bike, I pull the helmet off my head, setting it on the seat.

  “Well, this is home,” Lip states. I smile and follow behind him as he opens a door leading into the house.

  The house smells of clean laundry and looks smaller than the garage. I smirk; just like a guy, more garage than house.

  There are little lights in the ceiling shining just enough on the hardwood floor as he leads me down a small corridor.

  “That’s the kitchen.” Lip points to the right. The walls look to be a light brown, the cabinets white and matching the appliances. A small kitchen island with two barstools sits in the middle of the room.

  The house curves to the left, and Lip leads me into a small living room. The walls are white and lined with paintings of older motorcycles in black and white. A large flat-screen sits on a small wooden entertainment center in front of a brown fluffy couch and chaise lounge.

  “Bathroom.” Lip points to a small room right in front of us. It’s nothing special, just a tub and sink. “This is my room.” He points to the left of the bathroom. I peer in and see a big bed with blue and gray blankets, plus clothes and beer cans on the floor.

  “You can stay in this room.” Lip gestures to the room sitting opposite of his, putting the bathroom between the two. I step into the room he appointed as mine and Lip turns on the light. A small, full-sized bed sits in the corner with a white comforter. A little white dresser resides in the opposite corner, and a red guitar is placed on the other side.

  “You play?” I question.

  Lip shrugs and leans against the doorframe.

  “Eh, I try but I suck.” He laughs, and I smile. Seeing Lip play rocker would be a sight.

  Awkward silence fills the area between us.

  “Well, it’s late. You were sweating pretty hard when I found you, so you wanna shower and get some sleep?”

  I run my hand over the fluffy white blanket sitting on the bed. I never had something so fluffy before. Growing up, I had an old quilt that used to be my mother’s.

  “That sounds great, actually.”

  “I’ll go get your things then.” Lip turns to leave and I fall on the bed with a deep sigh. It feels wrong to be here, in a guy’s house I hardly know. But the cold air conditioning, the clean blankets, and company? It’s amazing.

  I head toward the bathroom and shut the door. My body is nearly vibrating with excitement to dive into a nice, cool shower. I catch myself in the mirror and gasp. There’s a crease in my cheek from the shirt I was using as a pillow, my hair is sticking to my forehead from the sweat, and I have bags under my eyes. Damn, I look a hot mess.

  I don’t even let the water get to its full heat before stepping under the showerhead. The cool water cascades down my chest and between my legs, and I can’t help but moan loudly. I grab the soap and squirt a shit load into my palm, and the smell of Lip invades the small tub. I close my eyes and inhale the tones of mint and spice before fingering it into my hair.

  I shower till the water runs freezing cold. Climbing out, the bathroom door swings open and Lip crashes into me. I’m naked and wet and standing right before him, his arms full with a towel and what looks like a shirt. He lazily trails his eyes down my body and I swallow hard. I attempt to cross my legs and cover my chest when Lip suddenly drops the linens. We both lean forward at the same time to grab them and bump heads.

  “Shit!” I wince. I grab a towel quickly and wrap it around myself as Lip turns his body, looking at the wall.

  “Sorry, I thought you were still in the shower.” His words come out rough and heavy with lust. “I threw your clothes in the wash. You can sleep in one of my shirts tonight.”

  “Thanks,” I whisper, clutching the towel around me tighter.

  His eyes sweep toward me, giving me a once-over before turning and leaving.

  My heart races in my chest and my hands shake with adrenaline as I shut the door. I lean over the sink, my fingers gripping the counter until my knuckles turn white. I raise my head, finding my reflection in the mirror.

  “Holy shit,” I mutter.

&nbs
p; I wait in the bathroom until the door to Lip’s room shuts. Peeking out, all the lights are off in the house, so I tiptoe to my room and shut the door. I look down at a Bud Light shirt of Lip’s that I’m wearing. It’s big; I’m practically swimming in the thing. I toss my head backward, the back of it hitting the door behind me.

  “What am I doing?” I mutter, thumping my head against the door with each syllable. I really shouldn’t be here. Lip’s face flashes in my mind, the look of hunger flaring in his eyes when he saw me naked. I draw in a large breath and shake the image from my head. An unexpected yawn leaves my mouth when I lift my head and eye the extremely welcoming bed.

  “Mmm. Sleep,” I mumble before I flip the lights off and drag my feet to the bed. Plopping into the sea of white cotton, I curl myself into the comforter and close my eyes. It’s going to be one of those nights where I’m too tired to think about anything else besides sleep.

  Good.

  “Goodnight, Lip,” I whisper into oblivion.

  LIP

  Sitting on the bed, I run my hands through my hair in distress. I have a chick in my fucking home. A chick I’m not banging, at that. I close my eyes, the image of her naked and beaded with water from the shower flaring behind my eyelids. She’s freckled. Little dustings of freckles scatter along her chest, perky tits and thighs. A growl rumbles up my throat as I think about it, my briefs becoming strained as my dick lifts at the thought of her pussy dusted with little freckles. Who knew I was attracted to that shit? Those long legs that peeked out from beneath her towel make me want to do things to her, images of them draped around my shoulders filling my mind as I wring my fingers together in frustration. I stand and cross my hands behind my head, releasing a long breath and trying to clear my mind of her sexy ass.

  I’ve never not fucked a girl I’ve brought back to my place before. Hell, I’ve never chased a girl before. But she’s different somehow, and clearly needs help. I knew she was lying about her brother, I fucking knew it. But coming across her at the laundromat was pure coincidence. I was there picking up a leather cut of a patched-in member who got spray paint on it. Life of a prospect, I suppose—I get the bitch work. But it will be worth it in the end, I know it.