LIPSTICK AND LIES AND DEADLY GOODBYES

by Jodi Vaughn

  “That’s why I stay away from her. I’m surprised you didn’t tell her to fuck off.” My hatred for Veronica was growing by the second.

  “I told her that if she really was my friend, she never would have said anything in the first place,” Liz growled. “Rachel, I know it’s wrong to hate someone, but so help me, I hate that woman. I mean, if she were trapped in a fire, I’m not so sure I would save her.”

  “Yeah, you would. You have too good a heart.” I shrugged. “Me, on the other hand, I just might let her burn.”

  Liz let out a laugh.

  “Thanks for listening, Rachel.” Her gaze darted up the car line. “How many people do you think she’s told?”

  The concern in her voice tugged at my heart.

  Ignoring the heat of the sun on my flesh, I put my hand on Liz’s and squeezed.

  “Let me tell you something, it doesn’t matter who she’s told. People that know you and Michael know how much you love each other. And people that know her know she is nothing but a vicious gossip.” I shoved my sunglasses to the top of my head and looked Liz square in the eyes. “Don’t let her into your thoughts. She’s the devil. Once she has a hold, she won’t let go. She cares about no one but herself. That woman is literally crazy. We should feel sorry for her that she doesn’t understand what a good friend is.”

  Liz smiled. “I appreciate you, Rachel. I really do. And you tell Nikki that she better watch out. I might be gunning for her position as your best friend.” Liz smiled and walked back to her car.

  My chest squeezed at the mention of my former best friend. I rolled up my window, still fuming about what Veronica had said. Veronica was a shark and could smell the scent of blood miles away. She liked to see other people miserable and didn’t care who got hurt by her lies and gossip. She prided herself on knowing things and being superior to everyone else. At least in her mind.

  I spotted Gabby and waved to her as she headed toward the car. Arianna came out of the building next, surrounded by her usual group of close friends. I was relieved to see that Veronica’s daughter wasn’t among them.

  A brisk knock on my driver’s side window had me tearing my attention away from my girls.

  “Hi, Rachel.” Veronica stood on the other side of the glass with a fake smile. I knew then that she was dying to tell me the rumor about Liz and Michael.

  “Hi, Mommy.” Gabby climbed in the front seat and slide her seatbelt on before Arianna could claim the spot.

  “Hi, honey,” I said cheerfully, even though I didn’t tear my gaze away from Veronica. “Where’s your sister at?”

  “Almost to the car. You’re not going to make me change seats with her, are you?”

  “No, honey. You were here first.”

  “Rachel, roll down your window.” Veronica made a cranking motion with her hand as she spoke to me through the glass.

  “Ugh.” Arianna climbed into the backseat and groaned. “Not that woman again,” she said under her breath.

  I looked in the rearview mirror and gave my daughter a grin. I knew exactly how she felt.

  I looked back at Veronica and shook my head. “I can’t talk, Veronica. I’ve got to go.” I didn’t wait for her to respond and I didn’t wait for her to move out of my way. I just cut out of the line, barely missing her. I glanced in my rearview mirror at her horrified expression. She seemed outraged that someone could dismiss her so easily. I pulled onto the street and headed home.

  Unease settled in my gut. Veronica wouldn’t take kindly to my snub. She’d been so used to people putting up with her behavior for so long that what I’d done had likely come as a surprise.

  I knew that I would probably be her next target. And I knew that I would be ready.

  Chapter 21

  That night after everyone had gone to bed, I stayed up. I tucked my feet under me on the couch and tried to focus on the book I was reading. It was from an author I dearly loved, but no matter how hard I tried to concentrate, I couldn’t make my brain focus. Sighing, I tossed the paperback onto the coffee table and stood. I walked over to the front door and peered out into the night.

  The neighborhood was quiet. I assumed all the occupants were asleep in their comfy beds with their normal lives.

  All but me.

  I no longer had a normal existence, and I sure as hell hadn’t slept in my own bed. Everyone assumed I had a perfect life, but I knew in my heart that I was a fraud. I sighed and started to turn when something caught my eye.

  A few houses down, a figure stepped out of a front door and walked down the driveway onto the street.

  It was Cal.

  I glanced at the time on my phone. After midnight.

  “What the hell is he doing out this late?”

  I kept my gaze on him as he headed down the street toward my house. I held my breath as he walked up my driveway.

  “Shit.” What if he remembered what I’d done to him? What if he was coming over here to tell me that he was reporting me to the police? What if he was coming over to hurt me?

  I shivered and checked the lock on my door before hiding. I watched from the dark as Cal pressed his face against my door window, trying to see inside.

  I stayed still and waited. Chills ran up my spine. I’d never thought that Cal was creepy before and I’d never been afraid of him…until now.

  What the hell was he doing? He didn’t ring the doorbell or knock on the door. He just stayed there, his face pressed to the glass, peering inside. His breath fogged up the pane, and I was pretty sure he wouldn’t be able to see inside much longer.

  “I’m going to kill Khalan for this. It’s all his damn fault,” I whispered to myself.

  “Who are you talking to, Mom? And who is Khalan?” Gabby asked.

  I jumped and stifled a scream. I spun around and grabbed her and ran to the kitchen. I didn’t bother to turn on the light.

  “Mom, what are we doing? Why was that man standing at the door? Is he a serial killer?” Her matter-of-fact tone caught me off guard.

  “Serial killer? What do you know about serial killers?” I narrowed my eyes at her.

  “You do realize I have contact with the outside world.” She gave me a droll look.

  I said nothing.

  “Mrs. Sanders talked about it during history class. She had to go over some of the most brutal serial killers in the past thirty years.” She shrugged.

  “Oh my God, Gabby, that’s not something school should be teaching. Especially not to kids your age.”

  “Then homeschool me.” She gave me a bright smile.

  She had me on that one.

  “Gabby.”

  “Fine. Mrs. Sanders wasn’t teaching us about serial killers. She was telling us she spent her weekend watching documentaries on serial killers.”

  I nodded.

  “Who was that man at the door? And why was he just standing there?”

  “I think it was one of the neighbors. And, to be honest, I’m not sure why he was standing there. It creeped me out.”

  “Hmmm.” She nodded and then cocked her head. “Maybe he was sleepwalking.”

  “Yeah, he could be sleepwalking.” I nodded. “They say not to wake up a sleepwalker. That it’s too dangerous. I bet if we leave him alone, he’ll go on home.” I gave her a reassuring look, hoping she bought what I said.

  She nodded.

  “What are you doing up anyway?” I whispered.

  “I was thirsty. I came in here to get something to drink. What are you doing up? You always go to bed right after we do.” She cocked her head.

  “Just couldn’t sleep, I suppose.” I shrugged. “Come on, and I’ll get you some milk.” I walked her over to the kitchen island. She scooted up onto the stool and watched as I skirted the counter and opened the refrigerator. I strained my ears, trying to listen for Cal and praying he wasn’t going to ring the doorbell and wake the rest of the house.

  I grabbed a glass out of the cupboard and filled it half full of ice-cold milk. I set it in front of G
abby. I leaned against the counter and crossed my arms. She took her time drinking her milk and when she was done, she had a white mustache above her lip.

  She grinned and wiped it off with the back of her hand.

  “Mom, I had a weird dream the other night.” Her grin faded, and she stared at me with serious eyes.

  “You did? What was it?” I grabbed her glass and rinsed it out before sticking it in the dishwasher.

  “I dreamed that I woke up and walked over to my window. It was still night. I looked out into the backyard, and that’s when I saw you. With a large bear.”

  “A bear?” I laughed.

  “And then I realized it wasn’t a bear but a large man who had a dirty-looking coat on.” She narrowed her eyes.

  “Really?” My heart thudded in my chest, and I tried to keep my voice light. She had seen me with Khalan.

  “What else happened in your dream?” I grabbed the dishtowel and pretended to wipe a spot off my already immaculate counter.

  “Well, you and the man walked through the backyard and out the gate into the woods.” She shook her head. “I wanted to wait to see you come out.”

  “You did? Why did you want to wait?”

  “Because I knew the man was going to take you away from me. I needed to see you come back.”

  My heart hurt for my girl. In a way, what she said was the truth.

  “Oh, honey, you know I would never leave you.” I went around the kitchen island and wrapped her up in my arms. Her hold tightened around my waist, and she buried her face into my neck.

  “I know, Mommy.” When she pulled back, she had a frown on her face. “I knew when that happened that it must be a dream and not real at all. I decided to go back to bed. And when I woke up the next morning, you were here. That’s how I knew it was a nightmare.”

  I smiled and hugged her tight.

  “It’s late, and you’ve had your milk. You need to get back up in bed.”

  “I know.” She slid off the stool and padded toward her bedroom. She stopped at the doorway and looked at me over her shoulder.

  “What is it?” I asked.

  “The weird part about that dream is that I saw Mr. Cal walking out of the woods. It’s weird that I dreamed about him and now he’s on the front porch looking in.” Her frown deepened. “Do you think Mr. Cal is some kind of monster?”

  My stomach clenched.

  “No, honey. I’m sure Mr. Cal isn’t a monster. You just had a bad dream. That’s all. And you have an overactive imagination,” I stated.

  “Yeah. Maybe.” She gave me a grin. “Goodnight, Mommy. Love you.”

  “Love you too, sweetie,” I said as she made her way back to her room.

  When her footsteps faded, and I was sure she was in bed, I eased back into the living room and glanced at the door.

  Cal turned and began making his way back to his home. I peeked through the window, careful to keep my body out of view in case he turned around.

  Shit. Gabby had seen me go into the woods with Khalan.

  When Khalan got back from whatever business he was on, we were going to have a serious discussion. He could not come over here anymore.

  He wasn’t going to like my ultimatum, but he would have to get over it.

  * * *

  For the next two weeks, I barely functioned during the day. I canceled any appointments I had and was grateful when the soccer games and practices had been canceled due to rain. It was hard enough staying awake to drive and pick up my girls from school without falling asleep at the wheel. As soon as I got home from dropping them off, I went straight to bed.

  I didn’t hear a peep from Veronica in the carpool line. Maybe she had a new victim in her crosshairs and had forgotten about me.

  Miles and I were a different story. While we functioned as a couple for the most part, I didn’t go to bed with him once the kids were asleep. I was honest and told him I couldn’t sleep. He gave me a look that screamed that he didn’t believe me. I didn’t care. I couldn’t very well tell him that I was now a vampire and that I slept during the day and was wide awake at night. Or that I still couldn’t bring myself to sleep in our bed. The new gray comforter had been delivered, but it didn’t make a difference. That bed was forever ruined for me.

  I ran a brush through my hair as I stared at my reflection in the bathroom mirror. I had a few minutes before going to pick up the girls. The door slammed shut, and I froze. I had made sure the door was locked while I was sleeping. Miles was at work. No one else should be in the house. I crept around to Miles’ side of the bed and grabbed the gun out of the nightstand.

  My hand shook as I gripped the steel in my hand. I’d never shot a gun in my life. Miles had always tried to get me to go shoot with him when we first got married. But I never did. I hated firearms. I figured if someone broke into my home I’d just call the cops and they could handle it. Now, I regretted not going to the range with him.

  I crept out of the bedroom with both hands on the weapon like I’d seen them do in the movies. I turned the corner, gripping the gun in my trembling hands.

  “Rachel?” Miles’ voice made me jump. “What the hell are you doing with the gun?” He narrowed his eyes at me, and I lowered the gun.

  “What the hell are you doing home? You’re supposed to be in surgery today.” I glared.

  “I had to cancel it. The patient ate breakfast.” He held out his hand, and I reluctantly gave him back his gun.

  “I’ve never seen you pick up a gun before. You hate them.” He shook his head.

  “Well, I hate being murdered in my own house even more.” I pressed a hand to my racing heart and sucked in some deep breaths.

  “We need to talk.” Miles gave me a look and then walked toward the bedroom.

  I followed.

  “Sorry about the gun.” And almost shooting you, I almost said. “I really didn’t expect you to get home early.”

  “It’s not about the gun, Rachel.” He opened the nightstand and slid the weapon in before closing the drawer. He turned and looked at me.

  My guard went up, and my instincts were on high-alert.

  “Sit.” He waved over to the sitting area by the window. When we first moved into our home, I spent every morning in our sitting area, gazing out into the backyard and thinking how lucky I was to have such a wonderful husband and home. Once the girls came along, I didn’t have time to sit and reflect on my life. Maybe if I had been more grateful, then Miles wouldn’t have cheated.

  I sat in my favorite blue chair. Miles sat in the matching one opposite of me.

  “You’ve got to stop this, Rachel.”

  I jerked my head to him. “Excuse me? Stop what?”

  “You’ve got to stop acting like someone died. All you do is sleep during the day and wake up in time to pick up the girls from school. Hell, you won’t even sleep in the bed with me at night.” He shoved his fingers through his hair.

  His words had knocked the breath out of me. “You think this is about you?”

  “You’ve got to stop punishing me for what happened. It’s in the past. You’re stuck in the past.” He shook his head.

  The tremble was back in my hands, but this time, it wasn’t because of fear. I was furious.

  “What’s done is done. You just need to get over it.”

  It was a good thing he’d taken the gun from me. Because in that moment, all my hurt, anger, and rage boiled up. If I still had that gun, there was no doubt in my mind that I would have shot him right where his heart should be.

  “What did you just say?” I measured my words, and I didn’t take my gaze off his face while I awaited his answer.

  “You need to get over this. It is irrational for you to continue to pout like this. It’s only hurting our family.”

  I took a deep breath and blew it out.

  “No. What hurt our family was you fucking around in my bed with my former best friend. What is stalling our recovery is that you never once apologized for what you did. You have never
once shown any remorse or regret for cheating on me and our family. Yet, you expect me to suck it up and move the fuck on?”

  He sighed like I didn’t understand what the hell I was talking about.

  It pissed me off even more.

  “I’ve said I was sorry, what else do you want from me? Blood?” He gave me a droll look.

  That’s exactly what I wanted from him. I wanted him to bleed. Like I had done. Nothing ever inconvenienced Miles. I needed confirmation that he would never cheat on me again.

  “There’s a dinner party Saturday night at the country club. The Roarks are hosting. Everyone is bringing their wives.”

  The Roarks were the elite family in our town. Mitch Roark was the CEO of the hospital Miles worked for, and his wife Jilly was the queen bee of high society in the South. If you were fortunate enough to get an invite to one of their parties, you had better not miss it. Once you were out with the Roarks, you were out for good with everyone else in their circle.

  “Are you asking me to go, or telling me, Miles?” I cocked my head.

  “I’m asking, Rachel. But before you give me your answer, I need to know that you’re going to really try.”

  “What do you mean, really try?” I narrowed my eyes.

  “Don’t go if you’re just going to glare at me all night. Everyone will know something is off between us. I don’t want to give them a reason to start snooping into our family business.” He looked at me from his seated position. “I need to know that when we go, we look like we are a united front.” Sadness flashed through his eyes. “I need to know that you’ll still want to stay together.”

  I really hadn’t tried with Miles. I’d been caught up in my own pain, and I wanted him to feel the same way. Maybe I could try a little harder. All I had to do was focus on my girls. Keeping the family together was the most important thing to me.

  “Okay. I’ll go.” I uncrossed my arms and looked him right in the eyes. “And I’ll try to make this work.”