Perfect Lie(42)

“Can I help you?” I asked with a cocky smirk as I tightened the back of one of my earrings. He walked closer.

“I had you all wrong, Kettle.” His eyes traveled up and down my body. “You are just like us.”

I knew he was trying to insult me, but I didn’t care. “If you can’t beat ‘em…”

“…whore yourself out to the first willing drunk to prove a half‐assed point?” he finished, and my eyes narrowed.

“Shut up.”

He took a step closer, and I took one back. “Save yourself the cab fare, and let me take care of you right here.”

“Fuck you,” I spat as I shoved against his chest.

“Exactly.” He pushed against my hands and closed the gap between us, letting me feel just how serious he was.

“Why are you acting like such an asshole?” I asked, as his face hovered over mine.

“This is who I am, right? This is what you want? You want to be treated like Trish? Like trash?”

“This outfit doesn’t change who I am.” I folded my arms over my chest, feeling stupid and childish.

“Remember that fact tonight when every prick in the club is trying to undress you on the dance floor because you’re practically fucking naked. This…” He motioned to my clothing. “…doesn’t make a fucking difference.”

He turned and left my room, closing the door behind him. I stared at the wall in disbelief as I listened to Trish and Abel laugh and chat on their way out of the apartment, my heart shattering inside my chest.

A few minutes later, my phone chimed, and I picked it up and looked at the screen through blurry eyes.




I’m sorry.




That was all he said, but it didn’t matter, and I didn’t respond. I got up and pulled myself together for a night on the town. The cab arrived twenty minutes later, and I was off to Cloud Nine. I was sure Trish and Abel wouldn’t be there because she hated the fact that the walls were purple. She thought it made her look orange with her fake tan.

I started the night by pounding back a few shots. My head began to swim, and my limbs became deliciously numb. The magic powder that was left in Trish’s room added a nice touch, and soon I was flying. I was the life of the party.

I danced with anyone who was willing and screamed when a song came on that I loved. People bought me drinks left and right, and I couldn’t believe I hadn’t jumped in with both feet sooner. Trish lived like a goddess, and now I was on my own pedestal and never wanted to come down.

“You’re so fucking sexy,” the guy grinding against my ass moaned into my ear. I turned around to face him, blinking several times before I could focus on his face. He had dark hair and hadn’t shaved for a few days, but through beer goggles, he was definitely doable.

“What’s your name?” I asked, smiling brightly as my high grew.

“Who cares?”

Maybe I had no idea what I was doing. How fucking hard was it to get laid?“ I’m going to get another drink.”

He nodded and disappeared deeper into the crowd. I worked my way back to the bar as my phone vibrated. I pulled it out and moved it away from my face as my eyes struggled to focus on the small type.




How’s the book?




I rolled my eyes and motioned for the bartender. “What can I get you, beautiful?” His eyes were fixed on my chest.

“Give me something hard,” I yelled over the noise.

“Oh, darlin’, I can give you something hard.” His tongue ran over his lips, and I drew back in disgust. My phone vibrated again.




That good, huh?




I quickly typed a reply, not wanting to deal with Abel’s shit.




Wouldn’t know, but this bartender says he has something hard for me. ;)




“Just give me a double Jameson with a Coke back,” I called out, and he nodded, looking unpleased. My phone lit up in rapid succession with messages.




Guess I did have you wrong.

You had me fooled.

Brock would be proud.




That last one gutted me, and I drank back my shot and stumbled toward the front door, wanting nothing more than to get away from everyone. I called a cab and sat on the curb as I waited for it to arrive and take me as far away from this place as I could get.

The trip was a blur, and my stomach swam with every dip and bump in the road. When the cab finally pulled over, I knew it was going to be a long night. I threw the driver a twenty and stumbled up to bed.

My eyes closed and begged the room to stand still as my phone vibrated.




Do I need to come find you?




“Stupid asshole,” I slurred as I typed a message back to him.




I’m in bed.




I groaned as I rolled onto my back and looked up to the ceiling. Then Abel responded: