Between the Lies (Between the Raindrops #2)

by Susan Schussler

  “Ladies, you have to clear out. My friends are back,” announced Jake to the group.

  “Even me?” questioned the little blonde next to him.

  “Yeah, everyone has to go. My Alli gets vicious when she’s jealous—the nails come out. You don’t want to go there—trust me,” Jake smiled at Alli, raising one eyebrow.

  After the girls vacated the couch, Jake reached for Alli’s hand and pulled her up next to him. Jessica slid onto the couch next to Alli, and Jake motioned for her to sit on his other side. Jessica just smiled, shaking her head as he wrapped his arm around her.

  “Gorgeous-Body, huh?” he asked the group.

  Alli smiled at him and nodded.

  “What happened to Leslie?” inquired Jessica.

  “Nak said something about driving out to Malibu. I wasn’t going to argue. It’s the first time I’ve seen him smile in months,” answered Jake.

  “Oh no! Leslie’s supposed to come with us to get fitted for her dress tomorrow,” declared Sarah.

  “You know better than anyone you can’t fight true love. It’s futile,” proclaimed Jon with a grin. “She’ll make the fitting.” He stared into Sarah’s eyes.

  “Stop looking at me like that,” she blushed.

  “I was just thinking about the rain,” he admitted, and she blushed even more.

  “It’s not going to rain,” scoffed Jake. “This is Southern California, and we’re in the middle of a drought. You really should keep up on current events.” Then he broke out into some song that was a billion years old about it never raining in Southern California, and everyone started laughing.

  Sarah could have explained Jon’s comment, but she wanted to keep that part of their lives private, so she didn’t say anything. She knew Jon was thinking about the first time she told him she loved him. It was at her parents’ lake cabin in the middle of a summer rainstorm. They had spent the whole evening making love. “Rain” was their personal code word for blocking everyone else out. It brought them back to the lake together and no one else mattered.

  An hour passed as the group discussed what was happening back in Minnesota. Alli was excited about starting medical school at the University of Minnesota in the fall. She had just gotten her acceptance letter. Jessica admitted she and Jeff had gone shopping for engagement rings. While Jessica described her future ring and Jeff’s relief at finding one she loved, six more people stopped by the table to say hi to Jonathan and Jake.

  Finally Jon spoke up, “Anyone else ready to go?”

  “We can’t leave Megan,” declared Sarah.

  “Text her. If she doesn’t respond, we’ll hunt her and Liam down,” said Jon lightheartedly.

  “I’m sure they didn’t get far. Nak was our ride,” admitted Jake.

  “You can catch a ride with us. We just have to call our driver,” proposed Jon.

  “Great,” said Jake. Then he turned to Alli with a devilish smile and offered, “You can get off at my place if you want.”

  “No, she can’t, Jake,” declared Sarah in a firm voice as she sent the text to Megan. She looked up with a scowl. “We have dress fittings tomorrow, and all my friends are coming home with me tonight.” She was starting to panic at the thought of her friends missing the fitting. She didn’t know when they could do it if they missed their appointment tomorrow.

  “Sorry, Bridezilla. I didn’t know,” claimed Jake with a wary look on his face.

  “Yeah, don’t mess with my wedding or you’ll suffer my wrath.” Sarah twisted her face into a fake sneer and everyone at the table laughed.

  Her phone vibrated and she flipped it over to read the text. “Megan and Liam will be back in a couple of minutes,” she said as she looked over at Jessica, who was grinning back at her.

  ***

  Soon, Liam and Megan returned to the table, and the group got ready to meet the car Jon called. They made their way toward the exit, and Sarah could see the giant, black SUV parked along the curb. The sidewalk looked clear until they stepped out the door. Then the paparazzi quickly swarmed, filling the empty space between the group and the car. Sarah gripped Jon’s hand tightly as he maneuvered their way through the crowd. The rest of the group followed. She knew the paparazzi were the worst part of Jon’s job, and she hated that he had to deal with them.

  The photographers engulfed the group, separating them into pairs and blocking their access to the vehicle. There were at least thirty of them. The cameras clicked like castanets with blinding flashes. When Sam’s intimidation couldn’t even get the photographers to move, Jon spoke up, “Guys, can you let us through, please?”

  “When’s the wedding, Jonathan? Come on, tell us,” a paparazzo yelled. “We won’t tell anyone, promise.”

  Sarah worried this was too reminiscent of the night Jack died. His thumb began rubbing across her wrist. He was nervous. She rested her head on his shoulder, hoping it would bring him comfort.

  Someone in the crowd yelled above the others, “Jon, is this the first time you’ve been to Club Priela since your brother’s death? I was here that night. Sorry about what happened, man. That guy was such an idiot.” The crowd went silent for about two beats.

  Jon said, “Yeah…thanks. Can you let us through?”

  “I’m going to grab a couple of those bouncers over there. This is ridiculous. We shouldn’t even have to ask,” Sam stated, heading for the bouncers’ station.

  Jon pulled Sarah in closer, wrapping his arm around her, as the paparazzi discussed the night of Jack’s death with each other. Jon hadn’t been to this club since that night. Sarah’s friends wanted to see the infamous club. Sarah told them no, but Jon said it would be all right. He said it was completely remodeled. Everything was different except for the sidewalk full of paparazzi. It was public domain, and the club couldn’t limit them. Sarah knew neither Jon nor Sam could get physical with the vultures or it would be all over the press, so they all stood and waited.

  Then Jake spoke up, “All right, if we give you something you can sell, will you let us through?” He held up his hand to catch everyone’s attention. Then he wrapped his arm around Alli and planted his lips on hers. He ran his hand down her leg and pulled her knee up to hug his thigh as he dipped her backward—still kissing. The camera flashes popped liked there was one continual spotlight. Jake righted Alli and broke off the kiss with a smile. “Guys?”

  Sam and a couple of enormous bouncers from the bar pushed their way toward the group and the vehicle. The paparazzi cleared a small path for Jon’s group as they called Jon, Jake, and Liam’s names, trying to salvage a perfect shot as each loaded into the SUV. Sam closed the door, jumped into the front seat, and instructed the driver to move out slowly. Lenses clacked against the windows as camera flashes blinded the vehicle’s occupants. Everyone settled and eventually found a seat, though Alli was practically on Jake’s lap.

  As the driver slowly pulled away from the curb, Sarah scowled at Alli, shaking her head gloomily. “Do you realize what you just did?”

  “It was just a kiss, Sarah,” answered Alli.

  “No, it wasn’t. Jake just ruined your life, and you let him,” she exclaimed. Jon looked at her questioningly as if to say, “Do you really feel that way.” When Sarah’s eyes met his, she knew how her words must have sounded to Jon. “I don’t mean ruined,” she stammered. “I mean…complicated, definitely complicated it. In a couple of hours, those pictures are going to hit the Internet, and everyone you know will see you kissing Jake—everyone. I’m sure they are already uploading them.”

  Alli’s jaw dropped. “Wow…I didn’t really think about that,” said Alli with a suddenly wary look.

  “What—do you have a boyfriend back home or something?” questioned Jake. “Don’t worry; he’ll get over it.” He chuckled.

  “I don’t have a boyfriend…exactly,” admitted Alli.

  “Then, what’s the problem?” asked Jake defensively. “I’m not diseased or anything. Most women would pay to have me kiss them, especially in public. W
hat the hell?”

  “It’s not that I didn’t enjoy kissing you,” admitted Alli with a giggle, “but we saw what happened to Sarah when Jon entered her life. It was kind of a train wreck. No offense, Jon. I know this is just a one-night thing with you, Jake…but I don’t have room in my life for complications—not now, not ever. What if someday someone posts the picture in the hospital I’m working in or…what if my patients see it? I’ll lose all my credibility as a doctor. All anyone will see is a bimbo kissing the movie star.”

  “Not if you’re a plastic surgeon,” added Liam with a grin.

  “Yeah, you should be a plastic surgeon. The pictures could actually help your credibility,” added Megan, “and you could help us out when we start getting wrinkles. Botox party, anyone?” Everyone laughed, even Alli.

  “Mr. Williams, where do you want me to head from here? There are two vehicles following us, but I can probably lose them if needed,” stated the driver.

  “Hey, guys, you want to come back to the house?” questioned Jon. “It’s early and we’ve already done enough damage in the press.”

  “Sure,” replied Liam.

  “Why not? Alli said I only have the one night with her after all,” responded Jake.

  Jon yelled up to the driver, “Let’s head back to the house.”

  Chapter Four

  Sarah

  BACK AT THE house, the group settled in the courtyard chairs under the pergola by the pool. Jon got out glasses and whiskey. He lined up shots for everyone. Sarah knew Jon preferred to drink beer, but the whiskey was a ritual that he and his buddies held, and they always drank it when they were together out of the public eye. She watched him take his first sip and laughed inside when his eyes squinted closed as if it tasted like paint thinner. Then he knocked it back, slamming the glass to the table as if it had been a race.

  The girls downed their shots and quickly decided they were in dire need of food.

  “I’ll make something,” Jon volunteered. “You enjoy your friends while they’re here.”

  “Chicken curry?” yelled Liam as Jon headed to the house.

  “Not tonight. You’ll be lucky if you get chips and salsa.”

  Jon disappeared into the house, and the group settled in around the table. When he returned fifteen minutes later, he had a platter filled with fresh bruschetta. The toasted bread circles topped with chopped tomatoes and fresh mozzarella smelled of garlic and basil.

  “Do you have a hot Italian servant locked up somewhere?” asked Jake. “Because I’d like to borrow her next weekend when my dad is in town. These are great—as good as my madre’s.” He took another off the plate and popped it into his mouth.

  “Nope, just me,” answered Jon.

  “Are you sure Sarah didn’t make these?” Jake grabbed three more off the platter as Liam pulled the platter away and set it in front of Megan.

  “You’re done, mama’s boy. Get your Italian grandmother to make them if you want more.” Liam slid one into his mouth.

  “Jon, what can’t you do?” asked Jessica.

  Jon smiled his killer smile and admitted, “I had to make these once for a role. An Italian chef taught me. I spent three days working with him.”

  Within minutes, the plate of food was empty, and Liam asked, “Now that we’re fed, anyone up for swimming?” He tugged on Megan’s arm, pulling her toward the pool. “You don’t need a suit. We’re all friends here.”

  Jon cleared his throat, and Liam immediately dropped his hold on her. Facing the group Liam added, “Anyone?”

  “Hell yes. I’ll go swimming,” boomed Jake as he stood up and started stripping off his clothes.

  Sarah knew the lack of modesty Jon’s friends possessed and decided to head them off. “No commando. The paparazzi sometimes climb the wall. You never know who is watching, so leave something on. There was some guy sitting on the wall with a giant lens a month ago, probably photographing one of us in the shower. Luckily Sam and Craig were here.”

  “Anything you say, Sarah. It is your house…I mean Jon’s parent’s house,” Liam teased with a smile as he unbuttoned his shirt and slid it off his shoulders.

  “You had to go there, didn’t you?” accused Jon. “Sarah and I are going to find our own place. We’ve been looking.”

  As Sarah and her friends headed toward the house to get into their suits Jon called, “Bikinis!”

  “Or nothing. You can decide,” chimed Jake as he splashed into the water wearing his boxers.

  “My vote’s nothing,” yelled Liam as he dove into the pool.

  When the women returned, Jon asked, “Sarah, where’s your bikini?” He sat on a chair under the pergola sporting the pair of old swim trunks he kept in the pool house.

  Sarah wore a short swim dress with separate bottoms. “I just…I like this suit better,” she stammered. “It’s a two-piece,” she smiled and lifted her suit to show her navel. “See?” she said, cocking her head playfully.

  He scowled at her. “Come here,” he said sweetly. He pulled her down on his lap and wrapped his arms around her. He kissed the back of her neck as his fingers found her stomach under her suit. He trailed them up her abdomen until he reached her scars and then ran his fingertips over the tops. He knew her body so well like he had memorized it. She turned her head to look at him, wondering what he was doing. It wasn’t odd for him to touch her scars and he often kissed them, but he didn’t usually touch her in front of other people.

  “Guys, can you even see the tiny scars that prevent my beautiful fiancé from wearing a bikini?” he asked as he lifted her suit to expose the top of her stomach.

  Sarah quickly extricated herself from his lap, pulling her top down as she widened the distance between her and Jon. She glowered at him. “Cut it out,” she uttered softly in a hurt voice. Why would he bring attention to them?

  He got up and wrapped his arms around her again. “I’m sorry,” he whispered in her ear. “You don’t know how beautiful you are, do you? Why do you let some stupid little lines that no one but you sees bother you so much? It’s been over four months since the accident. No one can see them.”

  She shook her head at him and scowled. “No, you’re wrong,” she said, staring him down.

  “I’m not.” He hugged her tighter and rubbed her back gently trying to comfort her. He kissed the top of Sarah’s head and said, “Come on. Let’s swim.” They walked slowly toward the others. When they got close to the water’s edge, they sat down next to each other, dangling their feet in the water. Alli sat down on Sarah’s other side.

  “Are you OK?” she asked.

  “Yeah…You?

  “Yeah. I guess we’ll just have to see what happens,” Alli said, turning up one corner of her mouth with a quick smile.

  Jon got up and kissed the top of Sarah’s head before walking toward the bar. Sarah knew that he was giving her time to talk to Alli.

  “So, do you like him? I mean…is there potential for you two?” Sarah questioned.

  Alli glanced at Jake, who was across the pool talking to Liam and Jessica. He stood in the water up to his waist. “You mean…if he wasn’t a movie star?”

  “No. I mean even if he is.”

  “No. It’s purely physical. Look at him. He’s Jake Gorgeous-Body…so not my type. He’s a really good kisser. Wow, he’s good.” She rolled her eyes. “And way more experienced than I will ever be. I’m enjoying it while I can.”

  “The chemistry is there, though,” claimed Sarah. For a brief second Sarah daydreamed about a perfect world where all her friends moved out to Hollywood and married Jon’s friends. She knew it was ridiculous to even think it, but in her mind that would be a utopia.

  “He’s hot,” admitted Alli, “but I could never give up my dreams for a man like you did.”

  Sarah looked at her questioningly. She didn’t realize Alli thought that of her. “I guess my dreams changed when I met Jon.”

  “I never would have believed you would change so much for a guy. You were alwa
ys so strong. You never needed anyone and now you seem so…vulnerable.” She smiled at Sarah.

  OK, filterless Alli. Sarah didn’t care for Alli when she turned her mouth filter off.

  “I don’t know. I guess I used to be so afraid of being hurt that I never let anyone get close. Then I met Jon, and he showed me so much love I had to let him in. When you let your guard down, there is some level of vulnerability that comes with that.”

  “Do you miss your life back home?”

  “Every day. Especially my friends, but I can’t imagine my life without Jon.”

  “Oh…But you can imagine your life without us? Thanks,” said Alli.

  “It’s different. Someday you’ll meet your Jonathan and the choice will be made for you. When it is right, there’s really no other decision.”

  “I don’t know if that will ever happen, but if I do meet someone who changes my life, I hope it’s not until I’m done with med school. My life doesn’t have room for a relationship for a while.”

  “You know, I’m still looking for a job. I just don’t want to start before the wedding. And I didn’t give up my dreams. I’m still writing. I’ve really enjoyed writing the screenplay for my final school credits, and I got that short story published last year.” Sarah was feeling a little defensive about Alli’s attitude. “But I would give up writing in a heartbeat if I had to choose between it and Jon. He would win easily.”

  Just then Jon approached with his one dimple denting his cheek, and she knew he had caught her last sentence. He crouched next to Sarah and handed the girls each a beer. “I can get you something else, if you like.”

  “No, this is great. Thanks,” said Sarah before kissing his cheek. She knew he really wasn’t trying to make fun of her earlier. She wished she could wear her bikini again for Jon—for herself—but she didn’t want to have her belly blown up on a colored spread of a tabloid with the headline: CELEBRITY’S WIVES WHO SHOULD RETHINK THEIR BIKINIS.