Love and Lies

by Duffey, Jennifer

  I stayed wrapped up in his arms, and he kissed the top of my head. “It's okay. You don't have to say anything. I'm here for you, not for them.”

  We made the trip back in silence.

  My sobs finally dissipated by the time we reached our hotel. Eric tried to help me inside, but I shied away from him. The only way to get through this was to deal with it on my own. If he was the reason I was able to deal, then how would I face things if he weren't around? Once we got to our room I took my coat off and crashed on the couch.

  “You know, we don't have to go tonight if you don't feel up to it.” Eric was trying. I had to give him that.

  “No, I want to go. I'm not going to let my parents ruin the trip. I just need some time. Do you mind?”

  He stared at me for a minute, his forehead creased. I wasn't sure if he was trying to decide if I'd be okay by myself, or if he even knew I wanted to be by myself. Finally, with a quick nod he left. Just outside the door he stopped and faced me. “I've got my phone. Just call when you are ready to go.”

  “I promise. And Eric, thanks.” I let him close the door and leave me in silence.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

  I sat by myself for an agonizing five minutes and replayed what Dad had said over and over until the tears returned. Through blurred vision, I hit speed dial on my phone.

  “Hey, baby girl.”

  Alec was chipper as always, but today it was all for me. I knew without having to see Alec. He was just that way.

  “Can you come over to my room?”

  “Of course, I'll be there in a few. Is everything okay?”

  “No, but I don't want to talk about it over the phone. Oh, and can you come alone please? Eric is in the lobby—I think—if Sean wants to meet up with him.”

  “Whatever you want. I'm on my way now.”

  More time alone waiting for Alec meant more opportunity to wallow in self-misery. Then again, wasn't that what I was going to do once Alec showed up and I recounted the whole thing to him? I grabbed a bottle of water from the mini bar. If Dad wanted to disown me, I'd make him pay for it. Originally our group had planned to split the cost of the rooms, but now I’d let the asshole pay for both.

  When someone knocked on my door, I checked my watch. It'd been five minutes since I hung up with Alec. I made my way to the door, stood on my toes, and looked out the peephole. Alec stood on the other side, his jaw tight and face pensive. A little chunkier than usual, thanks to the peephole.

  I snickered and cracked the door open slowly to make sure no one else came with him. It wasn't that I didn't trust Alec to come alone. I just didn't trust anyone else not to follow, especially Eric. When he left the room earlier, his shoulders were rigid, his back straight. I knew the tension was too much; he worried about me. Probably unsure how I would handle everything.

  Alec shoved his foot between the door and doorjamb. “It's me, open the door.”

  “I'm just making sure. Did you see Eric downstairs?”

  “No, I was in my room when you called. I didn't go downstairs.” Alec looked me over. “Come here.”

  I stayed where I was. I was tired of crying, and I knew if I took the two steps between us to close the gap, the dam would break again. I shook my head. Alec didn't catch my silent plea. He moved toward me, wrapped his arms around my shoulders, and buried his head in my hair.

  “I'm so sorry he hurt you again. Eric isn't...”

  Eric? What did Eric have to do with this? I pushed away from Alec. “Eric didn't do anything. He's been nothing but helpful and caring.”

  Alec let out a long sigh. “I'm glad to hear that. So what's wrong? Who upset you so badly your eyes look like you've been hittin' the pipe?”

  I proceeded to tell him everything that happened with my parents. He sat there like the perfect best friend, never interrupting me. When I finished, he pulled me into another hug. I was proud of myself for not shedding tears once again. I guess there was a point when they all dried up.

  “Okay, so they definitely get the vote for worst parents ever.” Alec hung his head. “How are you handling it?”

  “I dunno. I'm not sure it's all sunk in yet. The one thing I know is that I will not be holding back when it comes to spending. That asshole is going to pay.” I ran my hands through my hair. “Alec, am I really that bad of a daughter?”

  “Oh, baby girl, no, you aren't that bad of a daughter. Don't ever think that. You did nothing to deserve the way your parents have treated you over the years.”

  I held my head in my hands. When I had left New York for Louisiana I thought it would make everything better. I'd leave my parents, and my life would be happy, no more bodyguards, no more feeling lonely in my own house. Alec went with me, which meant I had at least one person that cared about me. Then I met Logan and Eric, and they cared about me too. Yet there I sat, tears rolling down my cheeks. Tears caused by my parents. Because they were supposed to care. Regardless of why I left, they weren't supposed to let go. I had no clue what I was going to do. Sure, I had they said they’d be be there financially until I graduated, but then what? The most I could hope was that Eric and Alec would stick with me. For that, I would forever be grateful.

  I rested my head on my best friend’s shoulder. “Please don't leave me.”

  He rubbed my arm. “I won't. I'm here as long as you need me.”

  “I don't mean tonight, I mean ever. You're all I have left. I think Eric will stick around, but I'm not sure. I need you, Alec.”

  “Baby girl, I'll always be here for you. You've saved my life more times than you know. Whatever you need, whenever you need it, all you have to do is call.”

  I laughed. Alec sounded like he'd break out into song at any second. “Thank you.”

  The phone rang, pulling both of us from our thoughts. I tugged it out of my pocket, and Eric's name was on the Caller ID. “Yeah?” I answered.

  “How are you doing?” he asked.

  “I'm better. I guess we need to get ready to go, huh?”

  “Yeah, but I didn't call for that. I called to check on you, and I wanted to tell you that I love you. I want you to know that.”

  I smiled. “I love you, too. Now, get back up here so we can get dressed.”

  Alec turned my face to him. “You're right, you are better. And you'll be fine. Eric loves you, I love you, and Logan does, too. Although, you may want to watch how much alone time you spend with him.” He laughed, and I smacked him on the arm. “So we're going tonight?”

  “Yeah we're going. I'm not letting them ruin everything. You need to find Sean and hurry up. Eric and I will meet you in the lobby.” I kissed Alec on the cheek then kicked him out of my room.

  I came out of the bedroom area just as Eric ended a call.

  “Who was that?”

  He grinned and relaxed his shoulders, looking happier than I'd seen him since we'd arrived in New York. “Logan.”

  “Oh?” My eyebrows arched.

  “Yeah, I needed to ask him a question.” His face lit up with amusement. “Did you know he and Mari are dating already?”

  “Yes. It's not really dating, I don't think. She won't be here for good until next year, and Logan will only be around for another year after that.”

  I made my way to him. As soon as I sat down, Eric yanked me into his lap. I laughed, startled by his quick action.

  “You have no idea how much I love you, Eric.”

  “Oh, I think I do.” He kiss stopped my heart, and I never wanted it to start again if it meant I’d have to leave the man who taught me what it meant to truly love, and to have a family who loved me back.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

  It'd been a week since we'd come home from New York. After dealing with my parents, we went to the play, which was nice, but no matter what I did, their dismissal weighed on my mind.

  As I sat on the couch feeling sorry for myself, a vibration against my hip jerked my back to the present. I slid my finger across my cell phone’s screen to answer. “What?”<
br />
  “We're going to dinner, so do whatever you need to do. I’ll be there in forty-five minutes. Mari just found out she's been officially accepted. Her auditions finished this afternoon, and Logan wants to celebrate,” Eric said.

  “Why do we have to go?”

  “Because you're his friend, and he specifically requested that I bring you. Besides, you need to get out and spend time with us. The couch is beginning to sag where your butt's been planted this last week. You looked like shit today. Get a shower and meet me outside.”

  “Eric, I really don't—”

  “No arguments. If you aren't downstairs, I'm going to come up there, and I will drag you out kicking and screaming.” With that, the call disconnected.

  I groaned and rolled off the couch. Eric was right—it did sag from where I'd been camping out. Forty-five minutes later, I stood on the stairs and watched Eric pull up in his car.

  “Where are we going?” I asked as I settled into the front seat.

  “Logan got a table at Acme Oyster House. He said something about it being Mari's favorite. I dunno.”

  I nodded. “Yeah, I've been there before. They've got decent food.”

  Eric's hand rested on my leg after we got on the road. For a moment, I felt his eyes on me, and when I turned to look, our gazes locked.

  “I'm worried about you, Carissa.”

  I lowered my head and placed my hand on top of Eric's then intertwined our fingers. “I know. I don't know what I'm going to do. My parents hate me, they think I'm a whore, and when I get done with school, Dad's cutting me off for good. I know I complain about how controlling they've been, and I'm still annoyed at you for working for them, but I honestly have no clue what I did for them to hate me. The hurt is worse than everything else.”

  The rest of the drive was silent, except for the low thump of the radio. Eric's musical tastes varied depending on his mood and the weather. Tonight the radio had been tuned into a rap station, my least favorite.

  “You didn't do anything. Your parents are the sole nominees and winners for Worst Parents of a Lifetime. What can I do to make you happy again?” Eric cupped my face with his right hand and ran his fingers down my cheek with his left.

  “I need time.”

  With his thumb and forefinger Eric lifted my chin so our eyes met. “I've got plenty of time.”

  I closed my eyes. Eric brushed his lips across mine, causing warmth to sweep through my veins. My heart thundered at his touch.

  When I opened my eyes, the smile on his face was the perfect touch. Somehow he knew just what to do wipe away my sadness. It wasn't gone for good, but I'd make it through the night.

  I leaned my head against the seat and sighed. “Do we have to do this?”

  “Yes,” he said as he opened his door and got out of the car. He came around and pulled me out.

  “Fine. Let's go.”

  We were the last two to arrive. The hostess showed us to the table where Mari, Logan, Alec, and Sean sat.

  “She's alive,” Alec sang.

  “Ha ha, and you're a comedian.” I stuck out my tongue and sat in the chair Eric pulled out for me.

  Alec reached across the table and handed me a silver box with a blue ribbon tied around it.

  “Tiffany's?” I arched my brow.

  “Just open it.”

  I opened the box to find a chain link bracelet with a heart in the center. “What's this?”

  “This dinner isn't just for Mari. It's for you, too.”

  “For me? I didn't do anything for this.”

  Sean turned his eyes down and tilted his chin, Mari sniggered, and Logan coughed into his hand.

  “What did you guys do?” I asked warily.

  Alec's cheeks flushed, and Eric gently tugged me closer to him.

  “Alec?”

  “Turn it over,” he directed.

  I did as instructed. Inscribed on the back were three sets of initials, E.B., L.T., and A.P. My heart stopped and droplets of water fell down my cheeks. “Wow.” I flipped the heart back and forth between my fingers. “I thought we were here to celebrate Mari's acceptance.”

  “Oh, we are,” Logan said. “But, like Alec said, we’re also here for you. You've been dealt a shitty hand in the last week, and you needed to know that no matter what, you've got people who care about you. We may not be your family in the blood kind of way, but we’re your family in every way that matters.”

  I sat at the table stunned. All eyes turned to me and silent nods confirmed Logan's statement. I really did have a family that loved me. It was larger than Mom and Dad. It was Alec, Eric, and Logan.

  * * * *

  6 Months Later

  I stepped back to admire the newly decorated apartment. Eric and I gave up our own separate spaces and had moved into together between the fall and spring semesters. Lucky for us, Louisiana didn’t know what snow or frigid temperatures were. People like Eric and I enjoyed the year-round warmth.

  When callused hands scraped against my bare skin and strong arms wrapped around my waist, I smiled. Eric kissed the curve of my neck.

  “Love what you’ve done with the place,” he murmured.

  “Me too. Tomorrow, I’ve got to start looking for a job. The board approved my scholarship and agreed to change my financial information. Since we’re not married, I can’t get financial aid because Mom and Dad make too much money and according to the government I’m not an Independent student.”

  “Welcome to the real world, princess.”

  I chuckled. Yeah, Eric knew exactly what I was talking about. But the financial obstacles were worth ending all contact with my parents. After the disastrous trip to New York, I concluded the only way to recover and find myself, was to sever all ties. No money, no contact. As soon as the semester had ended, I worked with financial aid to apply for a scholarship and have all my personal information updated.

  “It’s worth it. You know, I still can’t believe you asked me to move in with you. Are you sure you didn’t fall and hit your head recently?”

  “One hundred percent. You’re mine, Carissa. This way we get what we want, time with each other, and help when we need it. A shoulder to cry on or days wasted away in bed. Whatever we want, or need, is ours.”

  “Mmm. What do you say we give that wasting away in bed a try?”

  Eric swept me off my feet and ran to our bedroom. Dealing with my parents had been hard, but I’d made it through to the other side a far better person. My new family made it a hell of a lot easier. Now I couldn’t wait to see what happened next.

  THE END

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  There are so many people who had a hand in this book. It’s been a true labor of love and I’m so glad I get to share it with all of you.

  Thank you Lynn, Beth, Sandy, and everyone else who has helped me shape and mold these characters. Each of you gave me the kick I needed to get the story just right. It certainly wouldn’t be the same without your input.

  My husband helped me brainstorm the original idea. I can’t thank him enough for all the questions and brainstorming sessions.

  And to the rest of my family for supporting me in this endeavor. Writing is something I’ve always loved to do, now I get to make it my profession.

  Born and raised in Texas, Jennifer is a transplant to Missouri long enough ago she should probably consider that her hometown. But she will forever be a Texan. She loves to write any story that will make a reader smile, laugh, and maybe even cry (although you won't ever hear her admit that she cries). Whether the next story she writes is contemporary, urban fantasy, LGBT, or whatever other crazy idea she comes up with, there will always be love and romance in the midst of trials and turmoil.

  When she's not writing you can find her on Twitter, with her family, or buried in a book trying to escape reality for just a minute.

 

 

  hank you for reading books on Archive.