The Truth Be Told (The Truth in Lies Saga #3)

by Jeanne McDonald

  By this point, Gavin and I were laughing so hard we were breathless. Mother tapped her foot. “Enough, you two. As much as I adore Jared, I didn’t give your sister anything she could share with him. My goodness! She’s known the man all of forty-eight hours.”

  “And she had him in her bed within twelve,” Gavin snickered.

  Mother smacked his knee. “Behave. And to answer your question, I gave her Great Great Aunt Ruth’s diamond choker.” A twisted little smirk curled Mother’s lips. “Though, I guess if she wanted, she could give it to Jared as a collar.”

  Mirrored expressions of ghastliness, Gavin and I screeched in unison, “Mom!”

  Mother gave a little shrug with a chuckle. “Hey, I read. Have you seen the man I’m married to? A woman needs a little excitement in her life every once in awhile!”

  Gavin and I groaned. “No more! Don’t say another word!” Gavin squelched.

  “As you wish,” Mother stated calmly and coolly, barely cracking a smile. She tucked her purse under her arm. “Shall we?” Without hesitation, Gavin stood up. We took her hands and placed them in the crooks of our arms, escorting her from the house.

  Outside, we made our way down the aisle. The sun had started to lower in the evening sky. The trees that canopied over the benches billowed in the soft breeze, and the intoxicating aroma of the blossoms floated through the air. A small orchestra played soft music, overpowered by the buzz of guests watching Gavin and I escort Mother to her chair.

  Droves of people now filled each empty seat, leaving only the few reserved for family. I caught a glimpse of Niles watching us as we made our descent down to the front. He smiled and waved at me, which I returned with a nod. When we reached her designated spot, Mother gave Gavin and I both a kiss on the cheek and slipped in between Father and Natasha, who, despite her leg in a cast, looked happy and content to be on the front row to watch her best friend get married.

  Out of nowhere, Jared appeared. He grinned and followed us to the front, where we took our places to the left of Judge Carrington, a stocky man with a stern face.

  Shortly after, music filled the air and all eyes turned to the back where Andie stood, tall and statuesque in her peach dress. A bouquet of flowers perched in front of her, she took small steps toward the front. Once she reached the halfway point, my heart began to flutter, for there was my McKenzie. Also dressed in peach, her dress fitted her around the ribs and flared to her knees. The sunlight danced over her golden hair, and her blue eyes sparkled with joy. I sucked in a deep breath, mystified by the beauty that was my girl. Each step she took, the smile on her face, the way she winked at me as she approached the front and took her place directly to the right of Judge Carrington, made me fall deeper and deeper in love with her.

  It was my brother’s wedding, and I was honored to be standing next to him as his best man, but when McKenzie met my eyes, the world around us disappeared. The wedding canon played and the crowd stood to honor the coming bride. My eyes, however, were honed in on one person—McKenzie. My whole world revolved around her. Our souls one.

  The wedding proceeded flawlessly. Morgan and Gavin pronounced their love for one another in front of God, our family, friends, and honored guests. All the while, I remained captivated by the woman who stood across from me. The things my mother said earlier rang true in my head. McKenzie was the woman for me. I already knew it, but seeing her, in this moment, my heart told me once and for all, I would one day marry her. It didn’t matter that my father would never accept her, or that Olivia was pregnant. Those obstacles were insignificant in the grand scheme of things. We would start a family of our own, and even when rough times came our way, we would survive, because that was who we were. We weren’t failures. We were survivors, and our love would pass the test of time.

  Chapter Seventeen

  McKenzie

  “I can’t believe she kicked me out,” Olivia huffed, dropping herself down on the sofa in Morgan’s suite.

  Andie, Morgan, and I were in the process of finishing up last minute details. Perched in front of the mirror, we applied the final remnants of makeup and tweaked our hair to perfection. Natasha had already left the room to head downstairs. Her cast and crutches made it difficult to maneuver up and down the steps, and she didn’t want to still be hobbling down the aisle when Morgan made her bridal debut.

  “Who kicked you out?” Morgan absentmindedly asked as she twirled one of her auburn locks around the curling iron.

  “Your future mother-in-law,” she sniveled.

  “Oh, so she’s not your future mother-in-law anymore?” Andie sneered with a roll of her eyes. She adjusted the diamond choker around her throat that Kat had given her earlier.

  From the corner of my eye, I could tell Olivia was eyeing the gorgeous piece. She waved her hand, as if to dismiss the thought. “We know better than that.”

  Andie laughed, dropping her hand from her neck and turning to face Olivia. “We know that, but do you?” I cut a glance at Andie, warning her to shut up. There was no reason to start a battle on Morgan’s wedding day.

  Olivia rubbed the top of her belly. “Yes, I realize that Drew doesn’t want me. I’m not an idiot. It’s easy to see he thinks he’s in love with someone else.”

  My mouth went dry and my insides sank to my toes. I stopped applying the peach colored lipstick that I’d picked out to match my dress, and stared back in the mirror at the big brown eyes focused on me.

  Olivia cocked her head, her brows creeping into her side-parted bangs. “Are you going to say something? Or just stand there and hope I’ll go away?”

  Every pair of eyes in the room turned to me. The silence was deafening. I stood up straight and turned around, taking in a deep breath. This was the moment of truth. I’d expected Drew to be with me when all of this went down, but in a way, I was thankful to face this battle alone. I’d made this mess when I broke the girl code, and now I was the one to face the consequences. I licked my lips, sucking the bottom one between my teeth, staring into the eyes of someone who once trusted me. All I could say was, “I’m sorry.”

  “Sorry? Why couldn’t you just tell me the truth? Why did you have to sneak around?” Olivia beseeched.

  “I didn’t want to hurt you.” I fought back the tears that pricked the corners of my eyes. “It just happened. We never meant…”

  “You should’ve told me. You lied to me.” Olivia pushed herself up off the couch. Her jaw clenched and her hands shook. “I thought we were friends.”

  “We are!” I took a step forward and motioned for her to stand still.

  “Friends don’t do this.”

  My eyes dropped down, staring at my silver, peep toe pumps as I pressed my toe into the expensive area rug. “I’m sorry,” I repeated, knowing the words sounded hollow.

  “Yeah, I bet you are. You’re sorry you got caught.”

  I lifted my face, my lip trembling from my refusal to shed tears. “That’s not it. We intended to tell you. It was just never the right time.”

  “Never the right time? Hmm. So instead you run away to Texas?”

  My heart pounded in my ears, my throat as dry as my mouth. “You knew?”

  “Of course I did.” She stepped toward me, looping my diamond necklace between her fingers. “I’ve known for certain since the day he gave this to you.” She released it, the cold stone dropping back against my throat.

  I placed my hand over the stone, a sense of protecting my precious gift overwhelming me. “We never cheated on you, I swear.”

  “I know that, too. At least not in the physical sense, but you did cheat on me in the emotional one.”

  “That’s not fair,” Andie piped up. I’d almost forgotten we had an audience.

  “What’s not fair? They were sneaking around behind my back. Just because they didn’t sleep together until after Drew so chivalrously broke things off with me, doesn’t change the fact that they were technically already seeing one another at the same time I was pregnant with Drew’s baby,” O
livia snapped.

  “First off, quit claiming he knocked you up. Let the damn test confirm that before you go around trying to fuck up my brother’s life. Secondly, don’t judge them for having feelings for one another when they didn’t act on them until after you and Drew had already parted ways. You don’t know what cheating feels like, trust me. Their betrayal was nothing in comparison to finding the man you love in bed with another woman.”

  All eyes moved from me to Andie. Drew hadn’t told me much about his sister’s past, only that she didn’t pursue serious relationships. And he only mentioned that because of Jared’s recent encounters with her. She was as jaded as Drew was, and for some reason I wasn’t surprised.

  “It doesn’t matter,” Olivia stated. “Besides, I’m not mad. I’m hurt. I expected my best friend to be honest with me.”

  “I should’ve been. I didn’t know how to tell you.”

  “By saying the words,” Olivia declared.

  I exhaled and nodded. “I’m in love with Drew.”

  “There. Was that so hard?”

  Grinding my thumb nail against my teeth, I shook my head. Olivia reached out and pulled my thumb from my mouth. “Stop that. You’ll ruin your manicure.” She turned from me and moved to the door. With her back to the room, she twisted the knob. “Now, finish up and get downstairs. Let’s get this over with. I want to go home.” Olivia escaped out the door, closing it behind her.

  Frozen in place, I covered my mouth, trying to make sense of what just happened.

  “Wow! What a manipulative bitch,” Andie snarled. “She comes off all self-righteous when she’s in the wrong. She played everyone for a fool, trying to force you and my brother to admit to cheating, when you obviously didn’t.”

  Andie went on a tirade about Olivia and how much of a bitch she was. All the while, I stared at the door, numb. From the moment Drew and I first admitted our feelings for one another, we knew this day was inevitable. A piece of me was happy that our secret was in the open, and while I knew that no one, besides Jonathan, maybe, would agree with me, Olivia did not deserve my betrayal.

  “And one more thing, if she tries to make a scene today…”

  “Enough!” I admonished, throwing out my hands in frustration. “What’s done is done. Olivia isn’t going to make a scene. If she were, she would’ve done it already. Let’s forget about this for now and focus on what’s important. Today is about Morgan and Gavin.”

  Andie snapped her mouth shut, a little stunned by my assertiveness. Morgan stood up from the bench in front of the vanity. Her wedding gown rustled with each move she made. She opened the center drawer of the table and extracted two boxes. She handed one to Andie and the other to me. “I think it’s time I give you your gifts.”

  “You didn’t have to get me anything,” I proclaimed. “Natasha is your real maid of honor. I’m only standing in for her.”

  Morgan clasped her hands over mine, locking them around the box. “I gave Natasha her gift last night in hopes of making her feel a little better. And you’re not a stand in. I consider you a friend and am honored to have you standing next to me today.” She kissed my cheek and released my hands. “Open it.”

  I glanced up at Andie, who nodded. We both ripped into the paper at the same time and popped the top open on the boxes. Inside mine, another smaller, teal box resided. Removing the second box, I opened it to find diamond stud earrings nestled in soft, white silk. A small gasp escaped me. They were the perfect match to my necklace.

  “Drew told me where he got your necklace. I thought you could use the earrings to match.”

  I snapped the box shut and wrapped my arms around Morgan’s neck. “Thank you so much. They’re beautiful.”

  “Wear them today,” she urged.

  “Of course!”

  Morgan turned to Andie. “That goes for you, too.” Andie lifted her box to show she, too, got a pair of diamond earrings. “You become my sister today, and I’ve always wanted a sister.”

  Andie and Morgan shared a tear-filled moment, hugging and laughing. Soon I was brought in, but we were quickly pulled apart by a knock at the door. “Ladies,” Morgan’s father, Harold, called out. “It’s time.”

  Morgan slipped past Andie and I to open the door. She threw her arms around her unexpecting father’s neck. “Daddy,” Morgan cooed. Dr. Harold Carter wasn’t what I considered a handsome man, but his sweet disposition more than compensated for his lack of external beauty. His hair was as bright red as Morgan’s, and he was covered in freckles. He had a bit of a potbelly, which reminded me of my own father.

  “Are you ready?” he asked, kissing his daughter’s cheek.

  Morgan released him, her face lit up with excitement. “I’ve been ready for this day my whole life.”

  Harold nodded toward Andie and me. “Ladies, you look lovely.”

  Andie and I both voiced our appreciation of the compliment. After putting on my new earrings, I grabbed the three bouquets from the dresser, passing them out to Morgan and Andie. Each one of us poised and a little nervous, we marched down the stairs. Andie was first, followed by myself, and then Morgan and Harold.

  Once outside, the haze of the evening added a magnificent ambience to the gorgeously decorated yard. Shades of blue and amber colored the sky, amplified by the oversized sun hanging in the balance of heaven and earth. On the breeze, flowed the scent of blossoms and nature. Birds chirped in time with the music, singing their blessing of the holy union. A hush came over the guests, mystified by the moment.

  Olivia met us at the back, barking orders at everyone who crossed her path. She directed Andie and me to our places, but refused to look at me. My heart ached at the chasm between us, but I’d hurt her. I deserved the cold shoulder she was giving me and than some.

  Inhaling deep, I stepped into place behind Andie. Our song started to play and she pushed forward, slowly marching to the beat of the music. That nagging feeling burrowed deep in my chest disappeared when I took my first step on the carpet of rose petals that led to the front. For there stood Drew, dressed in a black tuxedo, tailored to fit his long, lean body in the sexiest of ways. I recalled Jared’s comment about wanting to peel a man out of a suit. My heart swelled and my feet moved of their own accord straight to Drew. When I reached the front, he gave me a coy, little wink and mouthed the words, “You look beautiful.” I moved into my designated place, my face burning with the heat of his words.

  As Morgan and Harold made their way down the aisle, the congregation stood in honor of the bride, but my eyes remained locked with Drew’s. It had been over twenty-four hours since we’d last seen each other, and until that moment, I didn’t realize how much I physically ached to be near him. My body longed to feel his breath on my neck, the touch of his smooth lips against my skin, and the sensation of his hands caressing my flesh as only he could.

  In no time, Morgan and Gavin were hand in hand, reciting their vows for the world to hear. My heart soared with their words. Every syllable, each phrase, and the promises made reflected my very soul. For a brief moment, I allowed myself to imagine that it was Drew and I standing before God, our friends, and our family, repeating those sacred vows of devotion, declaring our love for one another for all time.

  Rings were exchanged, vows made, and finally when all was said and done, the judge pronounced them husband and wife. Gavin kissed his bride with enthusiasm, and cheers erupted throughout the crowd.

  As the music began to play, Gavin escorted his new wife back down the aisle, accepting congratulatory greetings from family and friends. Right on cue, Drew and I met in the center and I accepted his arm. He leaned in, whispering to me from the corner of his mouth, “I’ve missed you, Beautiful.”

  Heat rose in my face, and I could feel the blush paint my cheeks. I fluttered my eyelashes, daring to look up in to his big, aqua eyes. Drew’s smile radiated brighter than the sun, lighting my life with love and happiness. “I’ve missed you, too, but we need to talk.”

  He cocked his head
, marching me toward the tent that had been set up on the other side of the garden for the reception. “What’s wrong?”

  My mouth turned up and brow pinched, “Something strange happened before the wedding,” I claimed.

  “Strange, how?” His body had become riged, his mouth flattened in a tight line.

  The sun, now barely a sliver in the western sky, created a beautiful haze over the tent. Paper mache lanterns lit up the space and twinkled with the soft breeze. Gentle music whispered softly through the air as people laughed and mingled, reacquainting with old friends and new, all following us into the tent.

  “Olivia knows.”

  “Knows what?” Drew guided me toward the bridal party’s table, his eyes cutting over his shoulder.

  “About us,” I hissed.

  “You told her?” he blurted out.

  We stopped in front of the table, as a stunned expression stole the excitement from his face. “Not intentionally. She confronted me upstairs. I had no choice but to admit it.”

  We both turned to look at Olivia, who was speaking to one of the servers. “What happened?”

  Drew directed me to a seat, and it was there I told him everything. When I finished my tale, a sigh escaped him. “That’s it then? No more hiding. No pretending. I can kiss my girl whenever I want and not worry about Olivia making a scene.”

  “I wouldn’t go that far. She’s hurt and has the right to be. It wouldn’t be very considerate of us to start making out in front of her.”

  He rubbed his chin then loosened his tie. “Hmm. Making out sounds like a great idea.”

  I gave him a light shove. “Oh, stop. We’re supposed to wait here with Jared and Andie for the bride and...” I glanced around. “Wait a minute. Where’s Jared and Andie?”

  Drew reached for my hand. “Who cares? Gavin and Morgan are changing and what I have in mind won’t take long at all.”

  “You can’t be serious?”

  He quirked me a lopsided grin, causing the lines around his eyes to crinkle. “I am.” He gripped my hand tight and tugged me up from my seat, hauling me out the side entrance of the tent. Servers smirked at the sight of us, but no one was there to stop us. It was a good thing I enjoyed running, because Drew sprinted across the lawn. Once inside, the cool air prickled my skin. Drew flipped me around, pushing me against the wall. His hands cupped my face as his lips captured mine. He coaxed his tongue into my mouth, curing the ache I’d had for him.