Secrets, Lies & Imperfections

by Pamela L. Todd

  “Right,” I mumbled and took after Cass. I caught up with her at the front door. She fumbled with the lock before she managed to unbolt it. “Cass, where are you going?”

  Cassidy threw me a look over her shoulder that shriveled my balls. She wrenched the front door open and jogged down the steps.

  “Will you stop?” I said, rushing to catch up with her. I reached for her wrist, bringing her to a stop.

  Cassidy whirled around and smacked me in the face.

  “Fuck me, what the hell was that for?” I asked, rubbing the cheek that had just taken the force of her wrath.

  Her face twisted in anger. “So much for honesty. What a fucking joke,” she said. The tone of her voice was furious, absolutely fucking livid. But then her voice broke on the last word and my heart shattered along with it.

  “What the hell, Cass? What’s going on?” I asked, searching her face for some kind of clue as to what this was all about.

  “Her!” she cried. A tear slid down her cheek. Cassidy swiped it away, her movement harsh and angry as though she considered that tear a traitor, that it had betrayed how she felt. “Why the hell am I surprised? What, did I think I was fucking special or something? Jesus Christ, I’m an idiot.”

  “Cassidy, I have no fucking idea what you’re talking about,” I said, squeezing her wrist. Are all girls like this? Fucking crazy? Man, I am so out of my depth here.

  “Where was she last night?” Cassidy asked, nodding her head toward the house.

  Who, Marley? “Working, probably. She does the PR for my club. She’s been doing crazy hours, so I doubt she’s been home long. More than likely took the dog for a walk then we saw her.” I really was going to have to talk to her about taking care of herself. This shit with my brother was getting ridiculous.

  “Perfect setup then, huh? Wifey is at work all night, leaving you to have sleepovers with stupid women who fall for your bullshit!” Cassidy tugged her wrist, trying to break my hold on her.

  “Wifey? What the fuck…” A grin slowly spread across my face. “You think me and Marley… Jesus, Cass, are you insane?”

  She snarled. “Oh shut up, you asshole.”

  “Cass—that was Marley. I told you all about her and my brother last night, remember?” I shook my head. “Man, when you jump to conclusions you really fucking jump, don’t you?”

  Cassidy narrowed her eyes. “You think I’m going to believe another word that comes out of your mouth? Give me a goddamn break. Now let me go. And never call me again.”

  “Why the hell are you so stubborn? Jesus, will you listen to what I’m telling you?”

  “No! Why should I?” Cassidy cried. “God, you sounded so shady— It’s not what it looks like. What’s that all about, if she’s not your piece of ass at home?”

  This is what I get for trying to actual be a decent guy. “She’s my sister. I had a girl in a very compromising position on her kitchen island. I said that so she’d know I wasn’t about to bang you on it.”

  “Right. Just let me go before I knee you in the nut sack.”

  Groaning in frustration, I bent and picked up Cassidy, throwing her over my shoulder. I turned and headed back inside the house.

  “What the fuck! Let me go,” Cassidy said, pounding her tiny fists on my back.

  Marley was still in the kitchen when we got inside, Cassidy swearing up a storm, hissing and spitting like a riled-up kitten. “Uh, that wasn’t what I meant by go after her, Seth.”

  “What is it with all you women giving me such a hard time?” I mumbled. “Marley, please tell Cass exactly what I am to you.”

  Her lips twitched. “Aside from a pain in the ass?”

  I gave her a look and Cassidy snorted.

  “I’m your not-quite-legally-yet sister-in-law. Why?” Marley asked, sipping a cup of coffee.

  “Cassidy here thinks I’m fucking you.”

  Marley choked. “What?”

  I patted Cassidy’s ass. “Do you believe me now?”

  She sighed. “Will you put me down, please?”

  Lowering her to the floor, I half expected to get dick punched then left again. Cassidy’s eyes met mine and I lifted my eyebrows in question. She blew out a breath and turned around to face Marley.

  “Hi, I’m Cassidy and I’m a total moron.”

  Marley grinned. “Hey, Cassidy. It’s nice to meet you. And you’re seeing Seth, so of course you are.”

  “Hey,” I protested.

  Cassidy barked out a laugh.

  Marley stood. “Will you stay for a coffee?”

  Cassidy glanced at me. “Sure. As long as that’s okay?”

  I squeezed her shoulder and pressed a kiss to her hair. “Don’t be a dumb-ass. Sit down.” I got us another cup each and poured some from the pot. “How was work?” I asked Marley as I sat down beside Cassidy.

  “Ugh,” Marley said, waving her hand. “Could have been worse, I guess. So busy. The doors were insane for hours.”

  Which meant inside the club would have been even worse for longer. Fantastic. “The guys handle things okay?”

  “As far as I know. The place might be a bit of a mess, but they got through the night fine.”

  I groaned. “I’ll make sure I’m there early today, then.”

  “What do you do, Cassidy?” Marley asked her.

  “I’m an ER nurse,” she answered.

  “Wow,” Marley said with an impressed smile. “No wonder you’re capable of tolerating Seth then. Must be that caring nature of yours.”

  “Don’t let the credentials fool you. She’s secretly a she-demon,” I said, giving them both a dark look.

  “All the better, someone who can give as good as you can,” Marley said. She finished her coffee and put her cup in the sink. “Has Blake left for work yet?”

  “Haven’t seen him.” I didn’t miss the fleeting look of panic on her face. God…they couldn’t keep this up for much longer. Something had to give. Maybe they needed a friendly nudge in the right direction.

  She nodded, a frown marring her forehead. “Okay. Goodnight then, guys. Cassidy, it was really nice to finally meet you. I hope to see you again sometime.”

  Cassidy smiled at her. “Yeah, me too.”

  We were quiet for a few minutes once Marley left the room. The clock ticking on the wall was the only sound to be heard.

  “I’m sorry, Seth. I’m really embarrassed at how I acted,” Cassidy said, tracing the rim of her mug and not looking at me.

  “I get why you did. And you were right. It did seem shady.” I shrugged. Yeah, in truth, it bugged the hell out of me that she thought so little of me, or was so quick to believe I really was a dick. But I wasn’t about to give her a hard time about it. “All it means is I still have work to do proving myself.”

  She nodded, seeming to disappear inside her mind for a while. “You live with your brother, huh?”

  I coughed. “Yeah, just, you know…for now.”

  “You made me think this was your house. What an asshole,” Cassidy said, the hint of a laugh in her voice.

  “So I hear.”

  This time when Cassidy left, it was at a slow walk, not a run, and I matched her step for step. She leaned against her car door, looking gorgeous and fresh in the morning sun.

  “When can I call you?” I asked her.

  She smiled. “Whenever you want.”

  Saying goodbye was harder than I thought it would be. I still didn’t want her to go. But real life intruded like the asshole it was. Cassidy was working the late shift for the rest of the week and I needed to get to the club sooner rather than later to see just how much of a mess it was in. Whatever it was, it was well worth having the night off to spend with Cass.

  I watched her drive away, waved when she got to the end of the driveway.

  I couldn’t wait to see her again.

  * * * *

  The club was worse than I expected. The bars hadn’t been restocked, the liquor vendor hadn’t received our order and one of the bartende
rs had quit. It took all goddamn day, but I got everything done, including the usual shit that came with the job.

  It was a miracle I even managed to answer the phone that day. Every other minute I’d get a flash of Cassidy—her naked tits, the feel of her mouth, her laugh. Jesus, she was distracting and she wasn’t even here.

  I tried calling her that night before I headed back into the club and only got her voicemail, until I remembered she’d still be at work. It went on like that all week, with us on opposite schedules that meant we kept missing each other. A few texts went back and forth, but it wasn’t the same. I wanted to see her, hear her voice.

  This woman was making me a fucking idiot.

  Thankfully, the club was doing great and it kept me so busy I barely got time to think about her. Until I got home and fell into my empty bed with the pillow that still smelled of her.

  When my next night off finally rolled around, all I wanted was to see her. But with Marley still avoiding Blake by helping me close down the club, I had to adjust my priorities. The shit between them had gone on for long enough and it was making living in the same house as them—however briefly I was actually there—completely unbearable.

  I stopped by the grocery store on my way to Blake’s, stocking up on supplies to put my master plan into motion. I’d already called Blake and made sure he’d be home and told him to make sure he was there all night.

  Blake’s car was parked in front of the garage when I got back, but there was no sign of him inside. He was probably in his office in the back of the house, avoiding the world and practicing his scowls. I’d have to remember to get him a bulk appointment for Botox for his next birthday, otherwise the effects of his pissy moods would be permanent.

  The absence of my brother and his betrothed meant I could cook in peace. But really, all it did was give me time to daydream about Cassidy.

  Man…when had I become the kind of guy who fucking daydreams? And about one girl, not several? At once? My thoughts were full of her, all the time. It was as if she was my addiction, and one I didn’t want to kick.

  When I’d finished preparing the homemade lasagna and it was in the oven, I dug my phone out of my pocket. I sent Marley a quick text telling her to get home for dinner or I was spreading some dirty little personal hygiene rumors around the club about her.

  I scrolled through the rest of my contacts and found Cassidy’s number. She hadn’t answered when I’d called earlier that day, and I was hardly one to worry about rules of dating or coming off as needy. So I hit call and tapped my thumb on the counter while I waited for her to answer.

  “Seth Hamilton, you’re going to break my phone if you keep calling it so much.”

  A wide grin spread across my face at the sound of her voice. Her voice that, despite her words, sounded pleased to hear from me. “Hey, beautiful girl. What’s happening?”

  “Not much, I just got off work and I’m about to head home. What’s new with you?” I heard the sound of her car door closing and her radio playing softly in the background.

  “I’m cooking up a storm and it smells fucking fantastic,” I said.

  Cassidy groaned. “God, I am starving. I don’t suppose you feel like boxing up whatever you’re making and bringing it over, do you?”

  Ah, man…she made me want to forget what I had planned and go running like an idiot. I let out a heavy sigh. “Wish I could, Cass. But this is a mission impossible kind of situation. Get Blake and Marley to sit down and have a meal together.”

  “That’s sweet of you. And they’re okay with you being the glue that brings them back together?”

  I snorted a laugh. “If they had any idea that was my intention, they’d kick my ass before I had a chance to blink. Nah, this has to be concealed under an ulterior motive that may work out in our favor.”

  “Oh?” Cassidy murmured. “Sounds intriguing.”

  “It is. If things go as planned, I’m going to take you on the best goddamn date you’ve ever been on—bar none. You’ll write about it in your diary and gush to all your girlfriends about how much you’ve fallen for me.”

  Cassidy laughed. “That’s a pretty bold claim. What makes you so sure?”

  “Hey, I’m Seth Hamilton, baby. Would you expect anything else?”

  “If I’ve learned anything by now, it’s to expect the unexpected when it comes to anything Seth Hamilton related,” Cassidy said in a sardonic tone. I didn’t care. I was grateful we were even at this point at all.

  “You’ve got the right idea,” I said, smiling. “When can I see you?”

  “I’m free tonight, but you’ve already blown me off… How about Friday?”

  I grimaced. “Weekends kind of suck for me.”

  “Right, sorry, I wasn’t thinking,” Cassidy said quietly. “I’m on days all this week. Just let me know if you have any time.”

  “I’ll make time,” I promised. The front door opened and closed, indicating that Marley was home. “Listen, I’d better go. But I’ll talk to you soon, okay?”

  “Sure,” Cassidy said with a sigh. “I’ll just go home…by myself…and eat some ramen noodles.”

  I laughed. “I’ll make it up to you.”

  “That’s what all the boys say.”

  “I’m not like all the boys.”

  “No, you’re not.” Cassidy chuckled. “Talk to you soon, Seth.”

  I hung up and placed the phone on the counter as Marley walked into the kitchen. She dumped her purse on the island and perused the mountain of mess.

  “I’ll clean. I swear,” I said, opening the fridge and pulling out all the things I needed for the salad.

  “You’d better,” Marley murmured. “Is your girlfriend coming over?”

  “Nope. Go hang out for a while. Dinner won’t be long.”

  She blinked. “You’re cooking for us?”

  “Yes. Now get your butt out of here and let me finish up.”

  “Yessir,” Marley said with a mock salute. But she turned without further comment and left me to my devices.

  The lasagna came out perfect, as did the homemade garlic bread. Blake and Marley were seated in the dining room and I poured them each a glass of wine as they served themselves.

  “This looks incredible, Seth,” Marley said as I sat down across from her. “Doesn’t it, Blake?”

  At the head of the table, Blake looked less than impressed. He shot me a look that said he wasn’t buying whatever the hell I was selling for one second. “Mmm.”

  We ate in uncomfortable silence for a while. The chink of silverware against china was the only sound to break up the quiet uneasiness I’d put us all in. Me and my fucking bright ideas. I guess I could bring a horse to water, and I could make it eat the meal I’d cooked—but it wouldn’t make the horse any happier.

  “How’s work going?” I asked Blake, shoveling a mountain of lasagna into my mouth and burning my tongue so fiercely I doubted I’d taste anything ever again.

  He glanced at me. “It’s going. New business, long hours… It takes time.”

  Marley made a quiet noise of derision under her breath. We both looked at her, but she kept her eyes downcast.

  Blake cleared his throat. “What about you? The club seems to keep you busy enough.”

  “Yeah, it’s great. The place is amazing. I’m happy there.” And I meant it. It was something I never thought I’d find—a job where I was doing something that I not only enjoyed, but cared about, and also something that my insane family approved of.

  “Among women and alcohol, imagine that,” Blake mumbled.

  Or not…

  Marley sighed, heavy on the irritation. “He works hard. That place is becoming one of the most popular on the Strip, and it’s because of Seth.”

  “Well, you would know. Given how often you’re there.”

  “I work there, Blake,” Marley said, narrowing her eyes.

  Ah, shit. This wasn’t going how I’d planned. It could be time to bring out the big guns. Instead of them getting pi
ssy with each other, I could provide them with a common enemy—me.

  “So, is the food okay for you guys?” I asked, topping up their wineglasses.

  “The food is great, Seth. Thank you,” Marley said, forcing a smile.

  Blake merely grunted and took a large gulp of his wine.

  “Not a problem. I have chocolate mousse for after, so leave some room.” I winked, which, in hindsight, was a really fucking stupid thing to do.

  Blake dropped his silverware on his plate with a clatter. “How about you cut the bullshit and get to whatever this is all about.”

  I wiped my mouth with my napkin and carefully placed it over my plate. There were a few ways I could do this…none of them were appealing. “Well, it did occur to me that you guys may feel so overcome with gratitude after I so selflessly cooked for you, that you’d do me a solid.”

  “What kind of solid?” Blake asked, folding his arms across his chest.

  I looked at Marley and batted my eyes. “That you’d let me borrow your car so I could take Cassidy on a really special date.”

  She opened her mouth to answer, but Blake beat her too it. “Oh, that’s rich. What makes you think I trust you enough to borrow a goddamn Aston Martin?”

  God, he could be a pretentious asshole sometimes. Everything had a price tag. “Because I’d treat it the same as I would a busted-up hatchback.”

  Blake’s eyebrows shot up.

  “Okay, I didn’t say that right. I just mean it doesn’t matter to me if it’s a two-hundred-grand car or a two-hundred-dollar car. I’d still treat it as though it was priceless. It doesn’t belong to me, therefore I’d be so careful you’d think I’d wrapped it in bubble wrap before driving.”

  “Have you forgotten that I know exactly how many dents you put in Mom’s and Dad’s cars over the years?”

  I let out an angry breath. “And I’m never going to be anything different to you, am I, big brother? I’ll always be the same little screw-up you remember.”

  “What the hell do you expect, Seth?” Blake cried, throwing his arms out. “You have to prove you’re different if you want people to treat you different.”