Page 81 of Hiding from Hope

“I’ll teach you.” She shrugs in return and Rosie nods in thanks.

“Anyway, what was the drama?” Riley refocuses everyone.

“Nothing. Rosie just…” Oh, I am terrible at lies.

“Was updating her on this work drama stuff. Nothing interesting.” And Rosie lies fabulously. If I wasn’t aware of the real topic, I wouldn’t even know it was a lie. But I know Addy can see right through her. She most definitely sees right through me.

“Ugh, I thought we came in here for fun gossip.” Thankfully, she reads the room and only hits us with narrowed eyes before she joins in.

“Boring.” Riley rolls her eyes and leaves. Stella fixes her hair, smiles at Rosie, and then heads out, too.

“You lying bitches. Tell me.” Addison wastes no time, but… this is her brother. I really hate keeping something from her, but telling her to keep this from her brother would be so much worse than her not knowing. I just have to find a way to get the manuscript back and return it to his apartment without him noticing. No biggie.

“It’s nothing, really.” Rosie, bless her soul, is sticking to her guns.

“I did a thing.” And again… I’m horrific at this lying game.

“Oh, Jesus, you need a backbone, Case.” Rosie sighs as she shakes her head at me.

“I knew it!” Addison’s smile grows. “What’s the goss?”

“I can’t tell you.” I wince at the way her head jerks back. Her eyes flit between me and Rosie, and my stomach threatens to empty on this very floor. Because I know that look. All the hard work Addy has gone through these last twelve months feels like it is being completely undone right now.

“Honestly, it’s not even that big of a deal.” Lies. “Well, like, to you, you probably wouldn’t even be interested.” So many lies my mouth is dry. “Really. But I can’t say anything. I really, really can’t. I wish I could.” Rosie smacks my arm in an attempt to shut me up from my rambling. Each of Addy’s walls slams down behind her eyes, and I watch as she pulls back. Rosie’s heartbreak matches mine as Addison speaks.

“Right. But you could tell Rosie?”

“It’s just about her work, is all,” I try to clarify. She purses her lips, analyzing and seeing all too much of me. I know my guilt is written all over my face and she can see it. Eventually, she nods.

“Okay. Guess you’ll tell me when you’re ready.” She forces a smile and turns to leave. I let go of a huge breath and slump against the sink as my head drops and I cover my eyes.

“You need to sort that out, and fast. I hated lying to her, as much as I would hate lying to you.” I look up to see Rosie with hurt and anger in her eyes. A sprinkle of pity in there, too.

“What the hell is going on, Casey? It’s one thing to keep it quiet, but it’s a whole other ball game to outright lie to our best friend.”

“I know, I know. I’m so sorry,” I whisper and squeeze my eyes closed so I don’t drop any of the tears that want to leave.

“Don’t be sorry. Just be better.” She punctuates with a little pat on the shoulder and her stupid line has me almost chuckling.

She waits a beat, but leaves me alone. In the bathroom. Staring at myself in the mirror, I shake my head slowly. “What a mess.”

I leave the bathroom and make my way back to the table. Seeing them all sitting there laughing and talking, the exhaustion sits heavy in my bones. I just want to go home. I grab my coat and bag when I make it to the table and push my chair back in, noting that Noah and Addison have already left.

“I think I’m going to head out. I’m beat.” I give my best smile, but before I can turn, Jessie is out of his chair and grabbing his coat.

“Oh, you don’t have to leave. You can stay.” Because he looked like he was finally relaxed and enjoying himself, I don’t want to take that away from him. Instead of answering, he levels me with a, ‘yeah right,’ kind of look which makes me smirk and relent. I was super looking forward to his big snuggles, anyway.

He helps me into my coat and grabs my hand, interlacing his fingers with mine, and waves goodbye to our friends. Rosie gives me a pitying smile, her eyes all the warning I need. Fix it, and fast.

What the hell am I going to do?

Jessie

“You have to add it in gradually and mix slowly, otherwise it’ll curdle the mixture.” Casey’s gentle voice fills my small kitchen as she walks me through the recipe.

“I am mixing it slowly.”

“You are not. You’re mixing like a caveman.” Laughter lightens her tone. The melody of it has the blood humming through my veins, my lungs inflating with the way she breathes life into me.

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