Pretty, Twisted Lies: A friends to lovers standalone

by Emily Bowie

  Her friends finally spot her, and they come over with their chosen bikers of the night. The men and I nod at each other.

  “Kip, these are my friends, Veronica and Violet.”

  The two girls standing in front of me have their tits pushed up and practically falling out of their leather tanks. They look to be twins, but with obvious differences.

  I raise my drink up in response, and they follow my lead.

  “Why don’t the six of us go back to the club and have some fun,” one of the guys says, licking his lips and eyeing each of the girls. There is no way I can allow that. These girls aren’t even eighteen yet. Trying to control the situation while keeping an eye on everything, I do something I’ve never done before.

  “Let’s head to the back.”

  CHAPTER 13

  My school friends both hook their arms around me, returning to the area Kip and I just left. I have a feeling I just climbed the social ladder in our school for this. Veronica and Violet are giggling, thinking this is the best night ever. I like the idea of Kiptyn and me hanging out more, but I hate the idea of sharing him. I saw the way they eye-fucked him as soon as he walked in with me. They’re known for tag-teaming guys, playing off them being twins.

  “The graveyard out there is looking like its growing.” The guys make small talk, and I would rather listen to them rather than whatever the girls are saying.

  “People are paying a premium just for a place to dump their old cars and collect parts for what they need.”

  One of the guys pulls out a small white blunt and lights it up. Kip does nothing about it, just heads to the big door and pulls it up slightly to have some airflow.

  The smell of weed quickly overtakes the small area, and I watch it start to be passed around. Veronica doesn’t hesitate to take a drag then blows the smoke into her sister’s mouth. It looks seductive as hell, and I wonder if Kip likes that sort of stuff. When I turn my head to see if he likes the show, he’s staring at me and not at them.

  I’m next in line for it but don’t know what to do. Part of me wants to, liking the idea of a party. Being with Kip, I know he wouldn’t let anything bad happen. Fuck it. If it’s passed to me, I’m going to do it, even when I know it’s bad for my voice.

  Kiptyn places his arm around me, sensing my indecision. The blunt skips us, heading to the other guy. Kip leads us away by a few feet and picks up a controller. Music takes over the back room, and the lights dim, making it darker than the bar.

  “I will never let you jeopardize Nashville.” His hot breath tickles my neck.

  If he isn’t going to allow me to drink, I should have known he would’ve never let me try weed either. Turning, I wrap my arms around his waist. His finger plays with the hem of my shirt, skimming his fingers along my creamy skin.

  “Did you girls hear about the ghost who haunts the car graveyard?” one of the bikers asks, looking around and making sure he’s caught all of our attention. “Isn’t that right, Kiptyn?”

  “We call him Santiago. You can hear him going from car to car late at night with the sounds of chains dragging on the ground,” Kiptyn says without missing a beat, making me wonder if there is some legend or old wives’ tale about this.

  “I call bullshit.” Veronica calls out.

  “Be careful what you say,” the other biker cuts in. “The story goes that there was a car pileup, and in amongst that pileup was a bus of inmates. The ghost we hear was one of the inmates trying to find a car to escape in until he was shot from behind.”

  “I don’t believe you. You’re trying to scare us,” Violet retorts but sounds like she’s already a believer, while Veronica holds on to every word, holding her man tight.

  “We could show you girls?”

  I look to Kiptyn, who seems unfazed, making me relax. A little ghost story could be fun, as I think of all the ways I could innocently touch Kip if I became too scared.

  He stands first, pulling me up, and everyone follows suit. Stepping out, the night is black; the only dim light seeping through is from the front of the building.

  I can vaguely make out shapes of cars and large objects as I’m guided toward what looks like a path between car parts. It’s super eerie being out here. My arm goes around Kip’s waist, wanting to stay closer to him.

  Footsteps are the only thing heard as we make our way deeper into the car graveyard. We’re in the middle of the group before I know it, and suddenly the sound of dragging chains echoes in the air. We all stop moving, and the rustling metal stops.

  Kiptyn holds me tighter, and I can’t help but dig my fingers into him harder. My breathing becomes shallow.

  “You scared?” Kip whispers into my ear.

  “Just playing the part,” I lie, but the way he kisses my hair tells me he can see right through me.

  “The legend goes that while he was searching for a getaway car, he saw the love of his life just before he was shot. It’s another one of his reasons for haunting this area. He’s still looking to find her again,” Kiptyn continues the legend of the ghost who haunts this area.

  All of a sudden, something jumps out of a pile of rusted old parts, making everyone but Kip scream. Even the bikers holler curses before we all see it’s one of Kip’s men.

  “Sorry to break up the party here, but you guys have a problem you need to deal with in there.”

  There are more curses under the bikers’ breaths. “I’ll take the girls home,” Kip announces, leaving no room for anyone to argue. After we all witnessed two strong, tattooed men nearly shit their pants, I think they are happy to get away from us.

  The man who jumped out of nowhere tosses his keys to Kip. “Take my truck.” Odd, since Kip has a perfectly new looking one parked in the front. But maybe this truck has a back row?

  All of my feelings from today standoff against one another. I had planned to leave today, but instead stand here in the dark with Kiptyn. I have to remind myself that each day I choose to stay here does not erase the work I have done in hopes of hearing my voice on the radio. Sweeping my hair up, I twist an elastic from my wrist into it creating a ponytail.

  Watching him lead the way to the truck I know my decision. I could never leave him. The thought petrifies me, knowing he holds the key to my everything. He doesn’t even know he has this power.

  “Stay with me until I fall asleep?” I ask when it’s only the two of us standing together.

  Kip looks to his phone before placing it in his front pocket. “I can only stay for about forty minutes.” He moves the hair away from my face. “Is that okay?” He’s looking into my eyes for any sign that would tell him I’m not fine.

  “I can work with that.”

  For the first time in my life, I sneak a man into my room.

  “Do you hang out with those guys often?” I ask Kip once we’re settled in my tiny bed. He takes up most of the space, and I’m leaning more on him than the mattress.

  “We have a mutual respect for each other,” he answers, me pulling me in closer to him.

  “You don’t just run McGrath Mansion, do you?”

  I can feel him breathe out, and I can’t help but smile. It’s another of my questions he tries to evade.

  “Always so curious,” he murmurs into my hair before his chin rests on top of my head.

  “Only about you.” The only thing that can be heard is our light breathing. “You know I’m a good listener.” My eyes are closed, and my sentence is partly muffled, his hand circling my back.

  “I know, Kellie. But some things are better left unsaid.”

  Kip holds me while I fall asleep in his arms. When I awaken, there’s no sign of him other than his scent that lingers on my pillow.

  CHAPTER 14

  April

  The school year is coming to a close. For the first time in my life, I feel sad about this. As much as I hated being home, I used to hate this place more, and now I would do anything to stay here.

  My parents have been more demanding, the stresses of their lives
coming down on me. My father has been surprising me with more visits, checking in, making sure I’m playing my part. It’s unnerving, never knowing when he’ll show up.

  My parents have missed my birthday every year since they shipped me off to boarding school. Something about my birthday makes my mom sadder than normal. She’s typically drunk by noon and passed out by three. My father never comes home, knowing what he’ll be walking in to.

  Stepping into Mistress’s office and seeing my father in the chair in front of her, I immediately worry something is wrong. Did Mom finally drink herself to death? Is she in the hospital? The guilt over the fact that my birthdays cause trouble eats at me. I wish this day could be skipped every year; nothing good ever comes from it.

  “Stop looking so shocked to see me and give your old man a hug.”

  I can’t hide my astonishment, my steps faltering toward him. It’s an awkward embrace for show. I have to mentally count to three before I let go.

  For the first time in years, I was excited about this day. I’d taken extra time getting ready today, knowing it’s my birthday and a Saturday, which means I get to see Kiptyn. My smile keeps faltering, and I have to force my lips to curve upward. Tense and unnatural.

  “I want to take my daughter out to lunch. I have big news.” He winks, pulling me along out of the office. My stomach sinks, realizing I have to miss seeing Kiptyn today. Looking toward my path, I hope lunch doesn’t go too long.

  “I heard a place called Nelly’s is good here. Have you heard of it?”

  I roll my eyes. This is my father’s way of asking if I’ve seen the town.

  “Nope, didn’t even realize civilization lived this far out,” I respond, wondering what this big news is.

  He chuckles. “Same old Kellie. I always liked how I know where I stand with you.”

  “I’m told my stubbornness comes from you.”

  He thinks about this, and for a second, I think his smile falters, but it’s gone too fast for me to be sure.

  We walk into Nelly’s, taking a seat in one of the side booths. “Good news. Your agent managed to get you an interview. They liked your demo so much they want to meet and hear you live.”

  I swear my heart stops. I repeat what my dad is saying to make sure I’m hearing him right. I’m getting my chance. It’s finally coming true. Holy shit. Deep down, I always thought they would hold this over me and never truly let me go.

  Standing up, I give my dad a hug, tears rolling down my face, so happy to know my hard work is paying off.

  CHAPTER 15

  May

  I sit in the pouring rain, waiting for Kiptyn to show up to our spot. I haven’t seen him in a month. It’s like he dropped off the map. There was no warning. One week, we were great, doing our thing; then the next week, he stopped showing up. Well, as soon as I didn’t show that one time on my birthday. Guilt creeps into me, making me believe that if I could have let Kip know ahead of time, he would have still shown up the next week, or the one after.

  In five days, I will be packed up in a car and taken back home. I can’t go the whole summer not seeing or talking to Kiptyn.

  I begin to head farther away from our spot, closer to the gravel road, hoping I remember the way to McGrath Mansion. I can feel something is wrong. That nagging guilt keeps washing over me. In the two years I have known Kiptyn, he has never missed a Saturday. It’s the way my heart tugs, telling me that he needs me. Following the path he and I use with his bike, I find myself on the same gravel road. The rain is coming down, washing part of the road into the deep ditches. Mini streams run through the middle of the lane, creating craters of water in pockets.

  My umbrella is completely useless. The wind caught it, flipping it inside out, in addition to the small but very noticeable hole right in the middle that allows a steady stream of water to run along the metal handle. By the time I reach the sketchy bar, I am soaked from head to toe. My feet have scrapes from walking through the forest in only flip-flops. My hair feels flattened to my head, and I’m sure my mascara has leaked onto my face from the water droplets I can see in my eyelashes.

  Pushing open the door, I see the place has a few bikers in it having a beer. The bartender gives me a look like I must be lost.

  “Did your car break down?” he asks, while I feel the stare of the other men on me.

  “I’m here to see Kiptyn.” My voice shakes; I’m not sure if it’s from nervousness or the cold seeping into my bones.

  “You must be lost. No Kiptyn around here. There’s a phone in the back you can use, but then you need to leave.”

  “I’ll wait right here.” I take a seat at the bar, my posture perfect as I prepare to stay.

  He eyes me up and down before he sighs. “What will it be?”

  “Grenadine and Coke.” My voice is strong as I remember what Kiptyn said. It’s not that I don’t drink or am unfamiliar with liquor. At home, a glass of wine or a dirty martini is more accessible. Looking around this place, I doubt they have either of those options.

  A minute later, a glass with a slight pink lipstick smear is placed in front of me. He eyes me, waiting for me to take a drink.

  “Do you have a napkin?” I smile at him.

  He nods, going to the other side of the bar and bringing me a small white square. Picking it up, I clean the rim of the glass better before taking a sip. The carbonation and Coke taste dance on my tongue.

  I sit there shivering while I sip my drink, feeling uncomfortable. The bartender eventually leaves from behind the bar, going to wipe down tables then completely disappears. I scared him off with my weird vibe. The scraping of the stools brings me out of my thoughts, and two of the bikers take a seat next to me.

  “Sandra Dee, right?” the guy on my right asks me, making a Grease reference.

  “What’s your name, sweetheart?” the other one prompts. They sit so close their legs touch mine. I give them a short smile before I take a gulp of my drink.

  “Looks like we have a mute,” the one on the right says, looking at his friend.

  “I prefer them that way,” his friend answers.

  My leg begins to tap on the footrest of the stool as I finish my drink in three gulps. Kiptyn, where are you? My eyes dart around the room, wishing someone would notice us. Everyone keeps their eyes cast downward, pretending this interaction isn’t happening. My fingers slide up and down the damp glass, needing to do something with my hands. All my legs want to do is shoot up and run out the door I came through.

  “Looks like she’s in a hurry to get out of here with us.” They laugh, and I feel an arm come around my shoulders. I have to concentrate on my shaky breaths, reminding myself I’m not going anywhere until I speak with Kip.

  “Get the fuck away from her.”

  The men’s laughter dies immediately as we all look up at an irate Kiptyn.

  “We’re just playing.”

  “No disrespect, we didn’t know she was yours.”

  Kiptyn stares them down before they scatter back to their seats. I’ve never seen this look on him before. His once bright gold eyes are hard and dark. His jaw is tense, defining his face sharply.

  My hands twist around each other, much like if I were putting on lotion.

  I envisioned him being happy to see me or needing me in some way, but this….

  Kip stomps toward me, grabbing hold of my arm and yanking me from my seat. Not expecting his actions, my feet stumble off the stool, and I hear chuckling behind me. His grasp is strong, but he’s not hurting me.

  Kiptyn drags me toward the hallway. “You’re dripping water everywhere. And now I have to clean that lake you created under your seat.”

  I keep stumbling, hating his harsh tone. This isn’t the Kiptyn I know and love. Where is my best friend who visits me every week?

  “What the fuck, Kip?” I shrug out of his loosening grip as soon as the door slams behind us.

  “What the hell are you doing here?” He glares down at me, making my stomach dip, not understanding
where all this hate is coming from.

  “I haven’t seen you in a month.” I’m hurt he doesn’t seem to care. He missed my eighteenth birthday. Well, technically, I don’t know if he did. My father showing up ruined all my plans. It’s probably why he came to see me.

  “And showing up here was your answer?”

  “I’m here, aren’t I? Now tell me what the hell is going on with you!” I never swear. I honestly hate how it rolls off my tongue, but I can’t help it. I’m so confused and angry at him for the way he’s behaving.

  “I’ve been busy running a business. I have people relying on me, people stealing from me, and my mother died on me. Sorry I forgot to stop by to say hi to some little girl who’s still in school.”

  My eyes glisten with tears from hearing about his mother’s death. Coming up to him, I place my arms around him and hold him tight. He stands stiff in my embrace until he places his arms around me too.

  “I’m so sorry, Kip. I had no idea.” I only met his mother once, but I could tell she meant a lot to him, and he’s hurting from her dying slowly right in front of him. He didn’t have to tell me he felt helpless, the reason behind him moving into McGrath Mansion so he wouldn’t have to watch it happen so closely.

  “I’m not crying, so neither should you.” His voice becomes softer.

  A door closing brings my head up to see a gorgeous girl—no, woman—walking out of Kiptyn’s bedroom. My heart sinks further. It’s ridiculous; Kip and I aren’t together, but I still feel like he is mine.

  “Uh, Kip?” Her smile is lovely, making me hate her.

  “Sloan, I’m busy. I’ll be out front in a second.” His tone is harsh, but she doesn’t seem to mind. Nodding, she leaves us alone.

  “Kellie, I’m sorry I’ve missed seeing you, and I want nothing more than to spend time with you, but I’m honestly in the middle of something. I’m gonna get Sloan to drive you back. But I promise I’ll see you before you leave.” His voice sounds sincere, but I can’t help but feel like they are empty promises as he shoos me away.