Truth or Dare (Kingston Brothers Book 2)

by Isabel Lucero

  “Since the lake.”

  “So, not long.”

  “Nah.”

  “And nobody knows?”

  “You’re the first.”

  “And you’re trying to keep this a secret? Why?”

  “Well, we’re not really together. We’re just fucking around. Midge doesn’t want it to be weird for everybody else once things die off between us.”

  “Who says it’ll die off?”

  “She does. She’s sworn off relationships, so I imagine she’ll try to push me away soon enough.”

  He finally shifts in his seat and studies me. “Why do you and Royce play these games?”

  My back straightens. “What? What’re you talking about? What games?”

  Elijah looks at me like I’m stupid. “You know the risk Royce took going after London, but luckily it worked out for them. But now you’re getting involved with this woman who’s openly against relationships. Now, don’t get me wrong, I like Margaret, but you’re risking a lot getting involved with her in this way. You could very well fall for her, then she’ll be ready to end it because it’s getting too deep. Where does that leave you?”

  “We’re just having fun. Why are you being a downer?”

  “I’m not a downer, I’m a realist, and I’m only trying to look out for you.”

  I release a long breath. “I appreciate it, but you don’t have to worry about me.”

  He takes a sip of drink. “You think I don’t remember the first few years after Mom and Dad died? I know you struggled. I remember you struggling to draw or paint anything. You flat out refused to try for a while. And I also remember how you slowly came back to life once you started spending more time with her.” He points his glass in Midge’s direction. “You started drawing again, and laughing again.”

  “Where are you going with this?” I ask, frustrated. I don’t like to talk about my parents’ death for long, or the aftermath.

  “You say it’s just fun and that there won’t be any feelings, but that girl means something to you. She was the bright spot in your darkest days, and she was able to reach you when none of us could. Don’t pretend you don’t already have feelings. That’s all I’m saying.”

  28

  Midge

  On Wednesdays, I try to leave the bar by ten, but Cill came in at nine-thirty and after the run-in with him and Jenny, then our conversation in the middle of the room, and the fact that London’s spotted him at the end of the bar and waved both he and Elijah over, it looks like it might be a little past ten by the time I leave.

  “Elijah, I can’t stop thinking about Sunday’s dinner. It was so good,” London says.

  Elijah chuckles. “I’m glad you liked it.”

  “What was it?” I ask.

  “If you would’ve joined us, you would know,” London teases.

  “I asked her to come,” Cill chimes in.

  I roll my eyes as London turns to face me. “Oh really? I thought she was just ignoring my invites.”

  Elijah glances at Cill then back at me. “You can join us any time, Margaret. We’d love to have you.”

  I smile. “Thanks. I’ll think about it.”

  I glance at Cillian who mouths “told you.”

  “Anyway, it was just bacon-wrapped pork tenderloins,” Elijah says.

  “Amazing pork tenderloins,” London adds. “And these delicious mashed potatoes and grilled veggies. Mmm.”

  “All right, you’re making me hungry.” I check the time on my phone. “I’m gonna head out. See you tomorrow,” I aim at London.

  “Yep. I’ll be leaving soon,” she replies.

  “Bye everyone,” I say with a wave, my eyes lingering on Cill for a couple seconds longer.

  A chorus of bye’s come from the group as I make my way out of the bar.

  “Midge, wait up. I have a question about this painting.“

  I spin around, my hand still on the door as I step outside. “What’s up?”

  “Yeah, I just wanted to ask about the clearing,” he says, stepping all the way outside.

  “What about it?” I ask, letting the door close behind me.

  “Nothing.”

  He steps forward, wrapping his arm around my waist and pulls me into him. His mouth covers mine as his other hand comes up and cradles the back of my head. I moan into his mouth as his tongue darts across mine.

  The kiss is quick but full of passion, and I gently bite his bottom lip as I pull away.

  “Just needed to do that,” he says, wiping his lips. “Did you leave lipstick behind?”

  I smile and reach up to wipe away the little bit of maroon color that transferred over. “You’re good now.”

  “Thanks. Text me later. I gotta tell you something.”

  “Is it bad?”

  He shrugs. “I don’t think so, but I don’t know how you’ll feel.”

  “Just tell me now. It’s gonna fucking kill me to wait until later.”

  “I was only coming out here to ask you about the clearing. Do you want people to become suspicious?” He arches a brow, his lips lifting up on one side.

  “Ugh. No, but just text me as soon as you get back in.”

  “Maybe.” He opens the door.

  “I hate you.”

  “We’ve established that you don’t. Or do I need to remind you again?”

  I grin, hoping he can’t the flush in my cheeks isn’t visible. “Maybe.”

  He chuckles. “See ya later.”

  “Yeah, bye.”

  I end up waiting in my car for five minutes, hoping to get a text, but when that doesn’t happen, I give up and start my drive home.

  Two thoughts fill my brain. The first is what the hell Cill has to tell me. Don’t people know to never say things like we need to talk or I have to tell you something unless they’re fully prepared to spill the beans right then and there? It only drives the other person insane.

  The second thought is one I’ve been thinking about for a while. Me trying to get over my fear of relationships and wondering if the right person is Cill. I mean, two days went by without us talking, so I figured I had made him mad. Then again, that’s usually the case for fuck buddies. You don’t talk every day. And I’ve never slept with someone more than five times. Me and Cill have had sex four times.

  However, I can’t imagine the next time being the last time, and I actually want to talk to him every day. But we’re friends, so that makes sense, but it also blurs the relationship and fuck buddies line.

  I’m still not one hundred percent sure that he’s interested in having a relationship with me or totally on board for the friends with benefits thing we have going on. I mean, he was talking to Jenny O’Shea earlier, and I know plenty of guys are interested in her, so why wouldn’t Cill be?

  I’ve gotten all the way home, reheated and ate last night’s spaghetti, and taken a shower all without getting a text from Cillian. It’s not until I’m climbing into bed that my phone rings.

  “I’ve been waiting for you for hours!”

  “Mm. You know I love it when you’re needy for me.”

  I can’t help the smile that stretches across my lips. “Ugh. Whatever.”

  “Sorry, I got caught up talking to Elijah. What’re you doing?”

  “Getting into bed.”

  “Oh, what’re you wearing?”

  “Oh, stop,” I say with a laugh.

  “I’m going to assume nothing but a thong. It’ll help me sleep better.”

  I cackle again. “Whatever floats your boat, but it’s nothing sexy at all.”

  “Come on, you can make anything sexy.”

  My heart thumps hard in my chest as I find myself at a loss for words. “Uh. Probably not anything,” is what eventually comes out.

  He chuckles lowly on the other end of the phone. “What are you doing? At home or at the studio?”

  “Home. I was at the studio earlier, but I’ll probably go back tomorrow before my shift at the shop.”

  “Everything’s
coming along okay? No more creative struggles?”

  “Nah, no struggles. I think that was related to my struggling relationship. Since that’s ended and I went up to the lake, I’ve had no problems. I guess shit can really weigh you down in ways you don’t expect.”

  “Makes sense. I’m glad things are back to normal.”

  “Yeah, I’m good.” I can hear the smile in his tone.

  “Good. So, what did you need to tell me?”

  I hear him settling in on the other side, probably getting into bed as well. I try not to think too hard about his naked, tattooed body, and the hard muscles the ink covers.

  “One sec. Taking off my clothes.”

  I internally groan. So much for not thinking about it. Cillian chuckles, so maybe I didn’t groan internally after all.

  “All right. Don’t freak out.”

  “That’s a sure fire way to make me freak out.”

  “Elijah knows about us.”

  My jaw drops. “What?”

  “Yeah. He saw us at the bar and put it together.”

  “What? How? We were barely together.”

  “Elijah’s very perceptive. He probably saw the way I was acting when I thought you were meeting up with Stephen in the bathroom and rushed off to go find you.”

  A small laugh erupts from my throat. “You’re crazy.”

  “No, just...I don’t know. Whatever. Yeah, so he watched us and I tried laughing it off, but he knew better. I just don’t think we have to worry because it’s not like we hang out with him regularly. I figured you were mostly concerned about Royce and London, since that’s your best friend and all.”

  I sigh. “Yeah, I guess so. What did he say?”

  “Oh, not much.”

  “You’re lying.”

  Cill groans. “Older brother shit. Nothing crazy.”

  I let the vagueness slide. “Well, I definitely won’t be going to Sunday dinners now,” I say with a short laugh.

  “E’s not gonna make you feel uncomfortable. He likes you.”

  “I know he won’t do anything, but I’ll feel weird just knowing he knows we’re sleeping together.”

  Cill sighs and I wonder if he’s getting annoyed with me and my inability to be open about us.

  “Hey, so I talked to my mom about you the other day.”

  “Oh?” His voice perks up.

  “Yeah, my gramma told her we went to the lake, so she was asking about it. We talked about you for a little bit. She said you were a nice boy.”

  Cillian laughs. “If only she knew what this nice boy was doing to her daughter.”

  “Oh, shush. Anyway, you know she loves you.”

  “Well, I’m pretty lovable.”

  “Yeah, yeah. Anyway, I hope this isn’t awkward, but she wanted me to invite you over for dinner one day.”

  “Oh yeah?”

  I bite down on my nail. “Yeah. Is it weird?”

  “No, I’ve had plenty of meals at your house.”

  “When we were teenagers.”

  “Still.”

  “Before we were fucking.”

  “Is it gonna be weird for you? Because I’ll be fine. I love your mom, and your dad is cool as hell, too. I haven’t seen them in a while, so it’ll be nice to catch up.”

  I almost say it feels like a meeting-the-parents moment, but I don’t want to be too annoying. The truth is, my parents have always liked Cillian. He came over quite a bit back in the day. This is just another one of those things I wouldn’t have to worry about if he and I decided to get together.

  “Yeah, no. It’s fine.”

  “Okay, so when?”

  “Mom just said to let her know when you’re free.”

  “I usually work late on Fridays and Saturdays, and since I have dinner at Elijah’s on Sunday, I’m only free tomorrow. Unless you want to wait until next week.”

  “I’ll ask her tomorrow morning and let you know.”

  “Sounds good.”

  “All right, well, I guess I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

  “Okay. Goodnight.”

  “Night.”

  I curl up with a smile on my face.

  29

  Cillian

  I wake up to a text from Midge.

  Midge: Mom says tonight is fine. Six-thirty okay?

  I get off at six, so I’ll be sure to take a change of clothes with me to the shop. I typically wear my jeans, black boots, and t-shirt to work, but I don’t think I should wear that to dinner. After I get up, I type out a quick response.

  Cillian: Perfect. See you then.

  I toss the phone on the bed and then head to the bathroom to start getting ready. By the time I leave my house, it’s a little past eight o’clock, which gives me almost two hours at the studio before I have to be at work.

  I’m already really proud of this painting, and it’s not even done yet. I still need to add a lot of detail to the house, because I want it to be perfect. The trees are completed, but I need to add some reflection detail in the water. The sky I’ll tweak a bit, and I’ll add shadows and highlights to certain things to make them more realistic.

  Before I know it, it’s already almost ten, so I quickly scrub off my brushes in the sink in the small bathroom in the back, then grab my keys and head out.

  Just as I lock the door and turn around, I see Zoe walking toward me.

  “Hey,” she says quietly, a small, cautious grin on her face.

  “Hey.”

  “I figured I’d find you here.”

  “Yep. What’s up?”

  She plays with the hem of her light blue sundress, and nibbles her bottom lip with her teeth. She’s nervous about whatever she has to say. Luckily, as soon as I found out she was cheating on me, I went to the doctor and got tested for STDs, and everything came back clear. Otherwise, I’d be afraid she was about to tell me she had chlamydia or some shit.

  “I’m pregnant, Cill.”

  My heart plummets straight to my feet. “What?”

  She raises her hand. “It’s not yours. It’s Stacey’s.”

  “Stacey’s? What the fuck?”

  She has the nerve to roll her eyes. “Stacey’s a man.”

  “Clearly. Nice to know how much of a liar you are. How are you so sure it’s his and not mine?”

  She plants her hand on her hip and cocks her head. “Really, Cill? You’re gonna play dumb? We hadn’t slept together in two and a half months.”

  I knew we hadn’t been having sex for a little while before we broke up, but I hadn’t realized it was that long.

  “Okay, and how far along are you?”

  “I went to the doctor yesterday and he said six weeks.”

  I breathe a little easier. It’s not that I don’t want kids one day, but I definitely didn’t want one with a woman I wasn’t with, and who cheated on me.

  “Well, congratulations,” I tell her.

  “I didn’t come here for congratulations. I just wanted you to hear it from me first. I’m sorry for how things ended up between us, but we weren’t happy for a while, Cill. You know that. Things are better this way.”

  I nod my head. “You’re right. Things have been better these last few weeks.”

  She gives me a sad smile. “Good.”

  “And good luck with everything,” I say, before straddling my bike. “Really. I hope you’re happy.”

  She smiles again. “Thanks. See ya around.”

  I slide the helmet over my head and start up the bike as I watch her walk back down the street where a guy waits for her in a car. The infamous Stacey, I’m sure.

  When I drive to work, I’m surprised at my lack of animosity toward her. And Stacey for that matter. Maybe they’re meant to be together. All I know is that me and Zoe weren’t, and that’s fine.

  I still have Midge to look forward to seeing tonight, and thinking about her keeps a smile on my face, so my day hasn’t been ruined.

  30

  Midge

  “Mom, you sure you don’t need
me to bring anything?” I ask as I cradle the phone between my shoulder and ear and change my pants for the second time.

  “I have it covered, don’t worry. He’s not all of a sudden a vegetarian or anything, is he?”

  I laugh and then the phone plummets to the floor. “Shit. Sorry, I dropped the phone.”

  “Where did you learn language like that?” Mom jokes.

  “Pft. You. Anyway, no, he’s not a vegetarian.”

  “Then we’re all good. Why are you all huffy and out of breath? What the hell are you doing over there?”

  “I’m changing pants. The other ones made my ass look weird.”

  “Honey, nobody cares about your ass.”

  Cill might, but I don’t say that. “I do!”

  “Well, good luck with that. I’ll see you soon.”

  “’Kay. Love you.”

  “Love you. Bye.”

  After I get the second pair of pants on—a pair of white slacks with thin, black stripes, I turn around to get a look at my ass in the mirror. Definitely better. I grab a black blouse out of my closet and pair it with some black wedges, and I’m good to go.

  A glance at the clock on the wall lets me know I need to leave now. I only have fifteen minutes before it’s six-thirty, and I really want to be there before Cill gets there. My parents live about ten to twelve minutes away, so as long as he isn’t early, I should be good, but I’m cutting it close.

  I rush through my front door and down to my car in the driveway. I hit every fucking red light. It’s a small town, but to get from my house to my parents’ house, I have to cross four traffic lights, and two of them hold for an ungodly amount of time.

  “Jesus McChrist! There’s nobody there!” I yell to the light, gestures and all.

  By the time I turn down my parents’ street, the clock in my car reads six thirty-three. Not too bad. However, Cillian’s Jeep is parked in the driveway.

  “Great,” I mutter to myself, hurriedly shutting off the car and then throwing the keys into my purse.

  The first thing I hear when I walk through the front door is, “She didn’t!” My mom gasps. “My little Midge?” She and my dad start laughing.