That's a Lie

by Victoria Klahr

  Tonight he’ll be staying with Brandon, and Brooke will be here with me. It’s only one night, but I’m still down. Which annoys me. Why the hell am I so sad about that? I’m not a clingy girl, I’ve never been that way, but I feel too much with Seth sometimes. I think about him when I’m not with him, and he dominates every feeling when we are together. It’s been worse since the day Alec was born. Something changed, and it made me feel extremely deprived for him. I still don’t know what it is, but the thought of being without him terrifies me.

  “It’ll be okay, Pussy Cat,” Seth says comfortingly, sensing where my thoughts are going. He sits down next to me on the bed while I brush my hair, and rubs my back.

  “I’m fine,” I say sharply. I don’t want him knowing I’m being such a girl about him.

  “Well just in case you aren’t, I want you to know it’ll be okay.”

  “I know it’ll be okay… It’s only one night…. I think you’re the one I should be worried about. You know, with your attachment problems and all.” I transfer the issue onto him so I don’t have to look so bad. He takes it easily and chuckles.

  “You caught me. I’m a fucking wreck inside. The thought of being away from you for even one night is killing me.” He wraps his arm around my shoulder and tugs me closer. Burying his face in my neck, he continues, “I don’t want you to forget that you love me.”

  I feel like there’s some truth to what he’s saying, but I don’t say anything. “I’ve got your balls in my purse if you need them,” I tease gently with mock sympathy.

  He pulls away, throws himself back on the bed, and cracks up laughing. He reaches out and grabs my arm to pull me on top of him. I smile down at him, my hair making a curtain around us.

  “Don’t forget that you love me,” he tells me, after he stops laughing. This is why he always makes me tell him I love him when we have sex, so I never go a day forgetting who has my heart and soul.

  “That’s impossible, Seth. I’ll never forget…” I push his hair back and kiss his full lips. He’s mouthwatering.

  “Better not,” he says unevenly, pulling the back of my head down to his.

  After he makes love to me for the second time that morning, we finally head out. Seth goes to Brandon’s house and I go into town to meet Brooke to get our nails and hair done. I need to figure out what she’s thinking. I park and walk into the salon to find her sitting in the chair reading a magazine.

  “Hey Brooke.” I sit down next to her, and when she looks up, she looks a wreck. Brooke’s always flawless, but today her eyes are red and her cheeks are stained with streaks of tears. “Oh, sweetie.” I wrap my arm around her and hug her.

  “What if he doesn’t love me one day, like my parents?” she cries into my shoulder. I rub her hair and feel so much pain in my chest. I used to feel so sorry for myself for the bullying I went through and for what Blake put me through, but I was so clueless. I had two dads who loved me, plus I had George and Gayle. I didn’t have siblings, but I had the best friend I could have ever asked for in Seth. Brooke’s parents and brother don’t even act like she exists.

  “Brooke, he’s not being forced to love you. He’s not marrying you because you’re holding a gun to his head. He’s choosing you. He loves you so much.” Brandon and Brooke were both very promiscuous in college, but the more they got to know each other, the more they realized that they were perfect for each other.

  “I’m so scared, Josie. I don’t want to be alone.” And boy does that statement hit home. I know exactly how terrifying of a thought that is.

  “I know, but I really don’t have a doubt that Brandon will love you forever, Brooke. And I’m always here for you. Seth and I are both always here for you.” I rub her back as her cries start to lessen. “Your family is missing out, but you have such a better family now. Your future husband worships you, your son adores you, and your best friend loves you. We may be a small family, but we have a huge amount of love between us all. That’s more than we can say about a lot of other families.”

  Eventually she pulls back, nodding her head and wiping her eyes. She looks better, and I know a day of primping will help. After she gets her nails done, hair done, and a surprise massage, courtesy of Brandon’s charming thoughtfulness, she’s pretty much back to her old self. She talks about the wedding as if it’s still on, and I feel so relieved that she still wants to go through with it.

  When we get to Seth’s house I send him a text to let him know everything is okay.

  Me: Crisis averted

  Seth: I love it when you talk dirty to me

  Me: I copy that, Sir

  Seth: mmm. Woman you better fix this boner I have

  Me: You’re in a room full of men, I’m sure one of them can help ;)

  Seth: Send me a pic of your tits

  I laugh out loud as we walk up the stairs to my room.

  “What?” Brooke asks, turning around. I shake my head.

  “Seth wants a pic of my tits.” She laughs, too.

  I search the web, and once I find what I’m looking for, I send it to him. I get a phone call thirty seconds after I send it.

  “Yes?” I answer innocently.

  “What the fuck are you doing with a picture of a dick on your phone?” he asks harshly. I laugh instead of answering him, tears forming from laughing so hard. “And not even a good one either.”

  That makes me laugh harder, and Brooke sends me a questioning look as she sits down on the bed. I guess Seth didn’t like the micro penis picture I sent him.

  “It’s called the internet, Seth.”

  “Why the fuck are you looking up dicks?”

  “Oh my god! Stop!” I hear a light laugh from the speaker on my phone, and I know he’s messing with me.

  “If you want a picture of my dick, I can send you some, Pussy Cat.”

  “I’m sure one will show everything I need to see, no need for more than that.”

  “Done. I’ll send it to you tonight. I want you to play with yourself while looking at it.” Ugh! His deep voice is so sexy and seductive through the phone. He turns my laughter into craving for him. I need to change the direction of this conversation before it leads to some phone sex.

  “Can I take Kitten for a ride? I thought Brooke may like to ride some.” I ask, settling onto the bed.

  “Of course, baby. She’s your horse,” he says, sweetly.

  “Well, I mean, I ride her, but she’s not mine. She’s yours and your dad’s.” Brooke smiles excitedly at the news of riding horses. She’s been talking about horseback riding for a while so I thought it’d be an awesome way to spend the night before her wedding.

  “Oh, well, actually she’s yours.” I hear him shuffling around in the background, and hear a door close.

  “What? What do you mean?” I ask, surprised.

  “I don’t know why I haven’t told you yet, but I got her for you in the first place. I was just too much of a pussy to tell you I got her for you because I loved you.”

  “Aw! I can’t believe you didn’t tell me!”

  “Yeah… It’s not a big deal. Go have fun, Pussy Cat. I love you.” Mmm, and those words are music to my ears. Every time I hear them I get butterflies in my stomach.

  “I love you, too. Don’t watch too much porn with the guys.”

  “Eh, we’ll see,” he banters.

  We hang up and Brooke looks like she’s about to explode with excitement. This is why I love her so much. She’s so excited to live her life, and it’s refreshing.

  “Come on, let’s go ride some horses.”

  * * *

  “I can’t believe I’m getting married today,” Brooke whispers after the alarm goes off. I grab her hand and squeeze it tightly.

  “I’m so happy for you, Brooke.” She looks over at me and has the happiest smile on her face.

  “I’m pretty fucking lucky, huh?”

  “Yes, you are.”

  She shrieks and kicks her legs, the excitement is contagious. She’s much better tod
ay than she was yesterday morning.

  “Come on, let’s go,” I say getting out of bed. We’re meeting all the other bridesmaids at the hotel to get ready.

  As we walk to our cars, Gayle comes out of the house and calls my name. She hugs me when she walks up to me, and I’m reminded once again of Daddy. I’ll have to stop by his grave soon.

  “I just wanted to talk to you before you leave.” She smiles at me brightly and I see a twinkle in her blue eyes- same as Seth’s. Seth’s going to look really good when he’s older.

  “What’s up?”

  “Well, you and Seth are leaving tomorrow, and I just wanted to tell you how much I love you. Both of you. I’m going to miss you so much.”

  “Aww… we’re only about twenty minutes away!” She shakes her head, and I see her tears starting. It must be hard knowing your son is moving out.

  “I know, I know. You two are so good together, Josie. He loves you more than I ever thought he could love someone. I’ve never seen him so happy. I just wanted you to know that I love you and that I’m so glad you’re in his life.”

  I feel like she wants to say something else, but she doesn’t. I give her another hug and enjoy the love of someone who is like a mother to me.

  “I love you, too, Gayle. You and George. Thanks for trusting me with your son.”

  “Oh, there’s never been anyone else for him. We all knew it.” She pulls away and pats my cheek. “Okay. Now go have fun. We’ll see you later this week.”

  I turn around and face Brooke who is leaning against her car and watching the exchange with a sweet smile on her face. “Ready to get married?” I ask.

  “Yeah, bitch. Let’s go!”

  Chapter 26

  Seth

  “Glad you’re here for this,” Brandon says, walking into the room and tucking in his dress shirt.

  “Me too,” I respond, looking back in the mirror as I tie my tie. I’m not used to dressing like this, so it’s taken me about ten tries to get it.

  “You think you would have come back if her dad hadn’t died?” he asks as he leans against the doorframe.

  “I was already coming back. I was coming home a week later anyway, but then I heard what happened and I came back early.”

  “I didn’t know that.” I shrug and give up on the motherfucking tie.

  “I knew I couldn’t give up on her. It was time for me to come back.”

  “You ready? For tomorrow I mean?” he asks.

  “Yeah, man. It’s about time…. More importantly, are you ready? You’re the one who’s about to marry a crazy bitch.”

  “If she knew I didn’t punch you after you said that, she’d kill me,” he says, chuckling. I walk up to him and clasp his shoulder.

  “She’s a good girl. I’m happy for you.”

  Brody walks into the room and has a stupid grin on his face. He’s lucky it’s his brother’s wedding, because I still owe him a punch to the fucking jaw.

  “How’s my future wife, Seth?” he asks.

  “You looking to have a bloody nose for your brother’s ceremony?” I ask him harshly. I know he’s joking, but he needs to watch himself.

  “Aw come on, I helped y’all out.”

  “By kissing my girl. Thanks a lot,” I say cynically.

  “It worked, though. She was jealous as hell.” She was. She couldn’t hide it anymore. “Anyway, I come here for peace. Brandon told me you like to play the drums and guitar, and I play the guitar, so I thought we could jam when I’m in town.”

  This guy is seriously fucking weird.

  “Sure. Whatever.”

  “Cool.” He turns to Brandon and slaps his back. “It’s time, little bro. Let’s head over, and send you to your death.”

  When we get to the hotel where the ceremony and reception are taking place, Blake and their mom come up to us. We had a rehearsal dinner last week and Blake kept his mouth shut, so I’m hoping he does the same today.

  “Hey,” Brandon says turning to me. “Can you take Alec to Brooke and Josie?”

  “Yeah. I’ll see you up front.” I take Alec from Brandon’s mom and walk to the suite that the girls are getting ready in. I knock on the door, and look down at my main little man. He’s got a cute ass tux on and is trying to talk, slobber coming out of his mouth. I use the back of my tie to wipe it up, and the door opens.

  “I saw that,” Josie says, grinning.

  “Holy shit,” I whisper, dragging my eyes up and down her body. She’s wearing a sapphire blue, strapless dress that stops at her knees and there’s a yellow sash that is wrapped around her waist. Have I mentioned that blue is most definitely Josie’s color? Her hair is straight and falls more than halfway down her back, and she’s got sexy tall silver heels on. “You’re gorgeous.”

  She smiles shyly, and looks back at the baby. I see red creeping into her tanned cheeks and I groan. If I didn’t have a baby in my arms, I would try to convince her to let me take her right here.

  “You look really handsome, Seth,” she says, looking back into my eyes. Hers are olive green today. I fucking missed waking up to her this morning.

  “I always look good.” I wink at her and she rolls her eyes.

  “Hold still.” Her arms reach up to my neck, but instead of kissing me like I want her to, she fixes my tie.

  “How do you know how to tie this thing?”

  She chuckles and shakes her head. “Two dads, remember?”

  “I guess this is what I get for having a farmer for a dad,” I say, stealing a quick kiss while she isn’t paying attention.

  “Your mom was so sweet this morning. She came up to me and was all emotional because we’re moving out tomorrow. She was telling me how happy she is that we’re together and that I’m good for you. I don’t know, it was just really sweet.”

  I’m gonna kill that old woman. Josie finishes tying the tie and takes Alec from my arms.

  “You are good for me. Too good,” I tell her, kissing her finally. She pulls away too soon and touches two small fingers to her lips. There’s a smile hiding behind her fingers; it’s nice to know she still reacts that way when I kiss her.

  “I’ll meet you at the altar,” she says, voice a little husky after our kiss. Then her eyes widen as if she realized what she said, and she tries to cover it up. “I mean… like, I’ll walk down the aisle... Ugh, like, I’ll see you up front. Where Brooke and Brandon are getting married.” She rolls her eyes and hits her forehead with her palm.

  “I got what you meant, Pussy Cat,” I say, smiling at her flustering. “Can’t wait to watch you walk down that aisle.” I wink at her again and back away. The last thing I hear before turning the corner is a chorus of squeals as Josie walks in with the baby.

  Brandon, Blake, Brody, Robbie, Dom and I all stand in front of the lake where Brooke and Brandon are about to exchange their vows. The tranquil environment in the back of the hotel made for a perfect venue as it creates a mixture of elegance and calmness. The air is warm with a slight breeze and the alter overlooking the lake is beautiful. As soon as the music starts for them to come out, my heart beats hard in my chest. Josie looked stunning earlier, but walking down the walkway holding a bouquet of yellow roses to stand in her spot, she takes my breath away.

  Nothing else matters but that girl in blue who stole my heart so long ago.

  Chapter 27

  Josie

  My sights are only on one person as I walk down the aisle.

  His blue green eyes captivate mine the moment I turn the corner. Butterflies flutter and attack my stomach and I can’t stop the grin that takes over my expression. His blonde hair is slicked back in a sexy artful look and he looks handsome as hell in his black tuxedo. The royal blue of the vest makes his eyes pop, a sight that I notice even from the back of the walkway.

  I feel like I can’t breathe as I get closer to him, and I have to scream to myself to go right instead of to the left, where Seth is. I want him to hold me. Love me. Kiss me. I want him so badly my heart and soul hurt
from the pain of needing to be closer to him. Instead, I stand on the opposite side of him and hope that the ceremony isn’t too long.

  The music for the bride starts and I have to force my gaze away from his. I look ahead and watch as my best friend locks arms with my dad and walks toward her groom. She’s stunning. She’s wearing a classy lace fitted dress that flares out at the bottom. Her hair is swept to the side, and she wears a veil at the bottom of her hair. She’s the most gorgeous bride I’ve ever seen.

  Getting my dad to walk her down the aisle was a last minute idea, but one she cried about when I told her this morning, especially since she never even got response from her parents acknowledging that she was getting married today. Her eyes are on one person only, and his eyes are on her. Watching them walk down the aisle makes me happy and hopeful. As a little girl I used to play wedding, but as I got older I never thought I’d get married if my dads were never able to. I watch as my Dad gives away my best friend, and I start to rethink that concept.

  The ceremony is beautiful. They recite the same vows and they take the rings from their ring bearer son, who’s laying in a tulle decorated wagon. When it’s time for them to kiss, Brandon grabs her waist and dips her over to kiss her passionately. They never cared if people watched them get it on before, and they don’t hold back now.

  It’s perfect.

  Seth grabs my hand as we walk back for pictures, and he leans in to whisper in my ear, “I’ve never seen anyone as beautiful as you are, Jos.”

  That feeling of neediness returns, and I want so bad to just be in his arms and forget about the rest of the festivities. I look up at him, and see earnestness glittering in the beautiful depths of his eyes, and I know he really means what he says.

  “I couldn’t stop staring at you,” I say with a smile. “You look hot in that tux.”

  We stop at the gazebo, and he finally pulls me into his arms. Twenty four hours was way too long to go without him touching me.