Broken Lies

by Rachel Branton

  “You love my sister, don’t you?”

  His jaw clenched and unclenched. What could he say to that? Whatever spat had separated the girls would be over tomorrow, and he had no doubt everything he said would be passed on to Saffron. No matter his feelings for her, he wasn’t exactly thrilled about being the topic of discussion unless it included how much Saffron cared about him too. Which he wasn’t exactly sure was true.

  “You don’t have to say.” Kendall took a bite of taco. “I can see it.”

  “How is she with the other guy?”

  “Oh, you know about Tyson?”

  He nodded. “In a way, I’m responsible for her being here.”

  “Yeah?” Kendall chewed on the tines of her plastic fork. “How?”

  “I broke up with her.”

  “Oh, right. I did hear that. I guess in retrospect, it might have been a dumb thing to do.”

  “Maybe. But she was stuck, and I’d rather see her happy and not with me than to see . . .” It sounded too corny even to his own ears.

  “Her unhappy,” Kendall finished.

  “Right. Something like that.”

  She stared at him, and he was vaguely aware of the sounds coming from the television. “I think that’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard.” She stabbed her fork into the taco and put the carton on the couch between them. “So what do you think of a man who would leave his pregnant girlfriend in Vegas without money or a car?”

  Vaughn could sense how loaded the question was. If he told her he thought Joel was a creep who ought to be punched senseless, that might not go a long way to helping her make tough choices. “I’d think,” he said slowly, “that he’s blind to what he has and that if he isn’t careful, he might wake up one day and find he’s lost everything.”

  It was the right answer. Kendall blinked back tears and came to her feet. “Thank you. And I think I will take you up on the offer of your bed. If you don’t mind.”

  “Not at all.” He watched her put away the taco and disappear into his much smaller room.

  The next second, she poked her head out, reminding him again of Saffron. “For what it’s worth,” she said. “I’m rooting for you. Tyson’s nice, and I know Saffron loves him, but I think the two of you are better.”

  One of the sisters down, so he could be happy about that. But the most important woman wasn’t letting him in. He’d made progress today. Would it be enough? Saffron would have her date tomorrow, and soon he’d be returning to Phoenix. Vaughn had the feeling that all his time was running out.

  24

  Saffron expected Kendall to be pouting and angry in the morning, but as they went down to the breakfast buffet, she acted as if their argument had never happened. “I usually don’t feel this bad anymore,” she moaned, her face pale and sick.

  Saffron gave her a sympathetic look. “It’s probably the stress.”

  “Sorry about last night.” Kendall’s words came in a rush. “I was upset because of Joel.”

  “I know.” The words Kendall had said still stung, but Saffron would talk to her about that more later, after Vaughn had gone home.

  As if knowing she was thinking about him, Vaughn turned and smiled. Saffron smiled back, feeling happier.

  At the table, Kendall took out her phone to read a text. Her eyes grew impossibly wide, and Saffron held her breath. What had Joel done now?

  “It’s from Mom,” Kendall said. “I don’t believe this.”

  “What?” Saffron’s appetite fled.

  Kendall shook her head and kept reading. Finally, she lifted her gaze to Saffron’s. “She says I can stay with her and keep the baby. That she’ll help me.” She paused, horror seeping into her expression. “Can you imagine that? Her helping raise the baby?”

  “I thought that’s what you wanted.”

  “No, I wanted for Joel and me to stay there for a little while is all. My baby deserves a mom and a dad. But Mom’s still not willing to bend on Joel staying there, and she has serious control issues.”

  “Well, it’s a start. At least you can see Joel when he gets back. Away from the house, I mean. And she isn’t pushing you to place the baby for adoption or something.”

  “I guess.” Kendall stared down into her full plate. “I’m a little scared that I’m not strong enough . . . I don’t want her to raise my child. It’s too hard a life for a kid.”

  Saffron understood what her sister meant. After living at Lily’s House and seeing the love there, that’s what she wanted for her children too.

  Kendall went back to reading the text. “She also says you can stay in the guest room, if you like. That there’s no use staying at the inn when she has the room.” Kendall met Saffron’s eyes. “Wow. That’s cool. I’ve always wanted to move in there, but she won’t let me. It has an exterior door, you know. Anyway, she says she would like the chance to talk this all over with us, if we’ll come to the house. She’s taken the day off work.”

  Saffron wanted to say no, but the memory of the bead collection stopped her. She ate another bite of scrambled eggs to mask her confusion.

  “You should go,” Vaughn said. “Maybe you’ll finally get that real hug you’ve been wanting.”

  How did he know? Saffron felt choked up, touched that he understood, and yet afraid to want something like that in the first place. When she didn’t speak, he scooted closer to her on the bench seat and put his arm around her. “Don’t worry. I’ll come with you. Remember, I’m good with dragons.” His voice soothed her and gave her the added courage she needed.

  “Okay,” Saffron said. “That is, if Kendall wants to.”

  Kendall spoke with her mouth full. “Hey, at least it gives me time to decide what I want to do.”

  Saffron knew the feeling. If she was staying in town, she had to find someplace more permanent to stay while she figured things out with Tyson. She’d probably take him up on his offer to stay at his place, especially after their date. Tonight would change everything between them—if she let it. Maybe then she could hold the joy she felt with him in her heart even when he wasn’t with her.

  Feeling Vaughn’s eyes on her, she lifted her gaze, her face heated. Was that sadness in his eyes? “I’m going to grab more water,” he said. “Anyone want some?” Saffron shook her head while Kendall held out her cup.

  “Are you really going to be okay living with her?” Saffron asked when they were alone.

  Kendall finished chewing, swallowing a bit noisily. “For a while, at least. I admit that I miss home. I miss my room, my things. I even miss Mom a little, if you can believe it.”

  Oh, yes, Saffron understood that—or maybe it was the idea of a mother she’d missed. “At least you have another choice.”

  Kendall set down her fork and reached across the table to touch her hand. “I really am sorry about what I said last night.”

  Saffron held back a sigh. “I know.”

  “It’s just,” Kendall continued, “here you have two really great guys who would do anything for you, and Joel . . . he’s not like they are. Sometimes I think maybe he’s all I deserve.”

  Saffron’s heart wanted to break all over again at that. “No. Don’t settle. Either he gets it together and becomes the man he should be, or you have a tough decision to make. The one thing we do have is time.”

  Kendall snorted. “Or at least five and a half months.”

  Five and a half months. That was about how long it had taken for Saffron’s world to come crashing down in flames. Whatever happened, she wouldn’t let history repeat for her sister.

  They made good time to their mother’s house in Temecula, despite Kendall’s frequent potty breaks. She hadn’t been ill riding in the front passenger seat, but her wired-up conversation and outbursts had made a sleep-deprived Saffron nervous. Saffron had finally changed places with Vaughn to get a few winks in the back seat.

  Now she was wide awake, her hair messy and her clothes feeling sticky from a second day of wearing them and sweating under the aloe vera
gel and sunscreen. What was she doing here like this? They should have stopped at the inn first to change clothes. She leaned between the front seats and adjusted the rearview mirror to examine her hair. Running her hands through it tamed the beast, but she still felt awful. At least her sunburn no longer hurt.

  The car was beginning to feel stifling hot without the air on. Kendall was already outside the car, glaring at the house with an air of determination. Saffron knew she should get out, but she looked again at the mirror, her stomach churning. Maybe she should touch up her mascara.

  “You look beautiful,” Vaughn said, as if sensing her insecurity.

  She pulled the shoulder of her shirt up a bit to unstick it from her back. “Thanks. I’d rather be parasailing.”

  He laughed. “Maybe later.”

  But Saffron knew they would never go. It was already after one, and in a few hours she’d be with Tyson, making life decisions. She told herself there wasn’t really any decision to make. She’d been waiting for Tyson for over eight years.

  They climbed from the car, and she was glad Vaughn followed without her having to ask him to come along. Kendall wasn’t much defense, and after her last run-in with her mother, Saffron’s desire to flee grew with each step.

  Vaughn kept close, his arm brushing hers as they approached the front of the house. The door swung open before they reached it, and there stood her mother. This time her dark hair hung loose around her neck, shorter now than Saffron remembered. Her eyes skipped over Kendall and landed on Saffron. No one spoke.

  “Hi, Mrs. Brenwood.” Vaughn stepped forward, offering a hand. “We haven’t met. I’m Vaughn Abrams. I’m a close friend of Saffron’s. I brought her car from Arizona.” He stepped back again next to Saffron.

  Her mother’s eyes went to him and then down to where his arm touched Saffron’s. Instead of displeasure, there was a need in her eyes, one Saffron didn’t understand. She was glad Vaughn had explained their relationship, but now she waited for her mother to coldly excuse him. Her next words were surprising.

  “It’s nice to meet you,” she said, stepping back and ushering them inside. “Come on in. I hope you’re hungry. I made sandwiches for lunch.”

  “I’m starved,” Kendall muttered, heading into the kitchen. Sucking in a breath, Saffron followed her.

  Lunch was awkward, or would have been without Vaughn. Accustomed to dealing with strangers on a regular basis, he eased the conversation between them. When her mother learned he was teaching for the second year, she started talking about Kendall leaving school. “I know this baby changes things, but I don’t want my daughter to throw her life away.”

  Kendall looked ready to burst, but Vaughn stepped in. “I’ve found that my students who have children are far better students on average and dedicate themselves more. Or at least once they discover what it is they really want to study.” He turned to Kendall. “What is it you’d like to do as a career? Besides being a mother, I mean, though that’s a career all on its own.”

  Kendall’s eyes widened and went to her mother. “I . . . uh . . . I’ve been thinking about being a nurse.”

  “Really?” her mother said with a little gasp. Saffron wasn’t sure if she was offended that Kendall didn’t want to study interior design or excited that Kendall had a dream. But no one looked more surprised than Kendall herself.

  Kendall shrugged. “I’m not sure about it or anything, but it might be interesting. I’ve had a few good conversations with Tyson Dekker while Joel’s been working for him. He has a ton of fascinating stories about his work at the hospital.”

  “You should definitely look into it,” Vaughn said. “You could shadow a nurse for a day, see what you think.” He refocused on their mother. “A lot of my students start school and find they aren’t interested in their classes. I always try to identify these students quickly so they don’t waste a lot of time.” He laughed. “I mean, the ultimate goal is for them to be happy, not to train for a job that will make them miserable.”

  Saffron sincerely doubted her mother had ever considered that, but she was nodding. “Yes, that’s always been my dream for my daughters.”

  The food in Saffron’s mouth turned to ash. Her mother wished her to be happy? This was too much, and if she didn’t leave right now, she was going to throw the rest of her fancy sandwich in her mother’s face, designer mustard and all. She deliberately set it down and stood. “I’m sorry, I have to go.”

  She made it to the hallway before her mother caught up to her. “Please don’t leave.”

  Saffron whirled. “You never wanted my happiness. You only wanted to make me do what would make you happy. I’m sorry, but I can’t have this conversation today.” She needed to go back to the hotel to get ready for tonight. To begin the rest of her life—a life that didn’t need to include her mother right now.

  “Wait!” Her mother said, eyes wide and pleading. “I’m sorry. I know I have a lot to make up for. I didn’t know I was separating you from the only man you’d ever love. I thought he’d end up hurting you. I didn’t understand anything until you told me yesterday how much you still loved him.” She hesitated. “I heard you crying and I realized how awful this has been for you. Look, I know we can’t go back. I know I can never make it up to you, but can we try to make this work a little for Kendall’s sake?”

  Saffron pushed back her anger, another lesson from Lily. “Maybe. But it’s going to take time before I’ll trust you.” Her mother nodded, her face going blank. Saffron recognized the expression as one of her own. She used it when she tried to make things not hurt so much. That look was the only reason she forced out, “Thank you for listening to Kendall. And thank you for the beads.” She nearly choked on the last words. She thumbed over her shoulder. “I’m going now.”

  “Thank you for coming,” her mother whispered. Her face was still expressionless, but today Saffron had caught a glimpse of a person behind the mask. For now, it was enough.

  As Saffron turned to leave, she looked over to the doorway of the kitchen and saw Vaughn standing there watching them, his expression one she’d never seen before. Was it resignation? Acceptance? She wasn’t sure.

  How much of the conversation had he heard? If he hadn’t understood it before, he’d know that she loved Tyson more than anything, that there was no chance for them. Not ever. But having Vaughn’s support when she needed him had meant so much. More than she could tell him, but maybe she could try.

  “Vaughn,” she began.

  He lifted a hand. “No. It’s okay.” He turned to her mother. “Thank you for lunch. I’m taking off now.” To Saffron, he added, “I’ll get my stuff from the car.”

  “It was nice to meet you,” her mother responded.

  “A pleasure.” He dipped his head in the direction of the unseen table where Kendall was presumably still sitting. “I think with support, she’ll find her way. These kids sometimes have the courage to make choices we never dream they can.”

  Saffron’s mother nodded. “I appreciate that.”

  Vaughn passed them and Saffron hurried after him, but he was through the entryway and outside before she caught up. “Vaughn, you don’t have to go. You can stay at the inn tonight, so you can go to your interview tomorrow. You said it was at ten, right?” She could make it back from Oceanside easily by then, and he could use her car.

  Vaughn stopped and turned. “Wait there while you go out with the only man you’ll ever love?” His voice wasn’t angry or cutting, but matter-of-fact. “Oh, Saffron, you don’t know me at all, if you think I’ll stand in your way—or stand by and let you rip out my heart. I can see you’ve chosen. It’s in your face, your words. I just didn’t want to admit it before now.” He waved his cupped hand between them. “This thing we have, it doesn’t come along every day. I love you. I love you with everything inside me. No reservations. I know you love me too, but it’s not enough, is it? You want him, and that means what you have with him must be stronger. I want you to be happy, so this is where we s
ay goodbye.”

  Saffron’s eyes filled with tears, making it hard to see his face. “Vaughn, if it wasn’t for you . . .”

  “We’d still be back in Arizona with me wondering why you can’t love me.” He closed the space between them. “Be happy, Saffron. Go for what you want. Listen to your heart. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be okay.”

  She stared up at him, tracing the familiar lines of his face. This was it. She wouldn’t likely see him again, or if they did, it would be from a distance. Sadness choked her. “Vaughn, I . . .”

  His eyes dipped to her lips, and the tension between them ratcheted up. Saffron’s heart pounded furiously. Her mouth was dry. Why was he looking at her like that? Why couldn’t she look away?

  He bent and placed his lips against hers. Maybe he meant it to be a casual goodbye kiss, but the minute he touched her, Saffron’s world burst into bright colors. Passion that had been building between them the past two days seeped through her limbs, infusing them with energy.

  He deepened the pressure of his lips, one hand going to the back of her neck, pulling her closer. She knew she should move away, but she couldn’t. She felt she could run all day, work without sleeping, kiss him for a week straight. She didn’t need air, just his mouth on hers. His mouth moved more insistently, urgently parting her lips. He tasted of hunger and desire. Of yearning. Of love. The kiss continued, his mouth searching hers . . . looking for what?

  He’d kissed her so many times before, but not like this. Not as if his life and soul depended on her touch. His hand kneaded the back of her neck, sending tremors through her. His other hand came up to touch her face, as if to memorize it by touch alone. He caressed her eyes, her cheek, her ear, her neck. Saffron was flying, soaring. She swayed against him, needing his strength.

  Then it was over and he stepped away, leaving her mouth open and her chest heaving. Her body aching with want. “Goodbye, Saffron. Have a good life.”

  She watched in a daze as he strode to the back of the car, pulling out her key that was still in his pocket. He removed his backpack from the trunk and set the key on top of the car before starting down the street. He began tapping on his phone, probably texting a friend or ordering an Uber.