Page 45 of Lie for a Lie

“Graham’s leftover whiskey.”

I take the shot, welcoming the burning sensation down the back of my throat.

“Are you almost ready?” I ask before placing the glass on the counter and reaching for my curling iron. My hair is in a messy Dutch braid, and I just want to curl the ends. I can see Bre’s eyes rolling down my face before taking in my outfit. I have on a sequin green top that hugs my breasts and looks more like a corset with fishnets and black shorts. I plan on wearing my favorite black vans, and no one will be able to talk me out of it.

“Yeah, I just have to throw my hair up.”

She smiled, lingering on me as I finished my makeup. I felt sexy and ready for whatever the night has in store.

“You, okay?” I ask Bre when her eyes meet mine in the mirror.

“Yes, I’m great, but a little worried about you.”

I offer her a soft smile before turning to hug her.

“I promise I am great, too.”

Bre just lets out a soft laugh, “One day, I might believe you.”

I roll my eyes as Bre grabs the shot glasses and heads back out of my room, as my phone chimes with an incoming message.

David: Happy birthday! I’m sorry we couldn’t make it, but Sean won’t let me go to clubs anymore. You have seen what happens when I drink a few too many martinis. Love you.

I invited David after Bre sprung the whole couple’s night for my birthday. I want to go out, but the idea of the six of us seems heavy. And the last time Seth saw Graham and I together wasn’t exactly the greatest moment of our relationship or whatever this thing is.

We have talked and texted since dinner at Clint’s house a few weeks ago, but it seems we both are acting like it didn’t happen. That includes all the FaceTime conversations I keep having with Graham. Even last night, we ended up falling asleep on the phone together. It’s a first for me and was a complete accident.

I hear a knock at the front door. I take a long look at myself before heading out into the front room. Chris and Seth are watching sports highlights. Both men clean up well, and Seth slicks back his long hair.

Chris notices me first, with Seth paying attention to his phone on his lap. Chris slaps Seth’s chest, focusing his attention, to which all I get is a smile.

I admit I am a little disappointed because the halter top allows my breasts to look like pushed-up perfection. At the very least, I hoped for a hungry stare, but nothing. Seth just focuses back on his phone, and I try not to linger on it when Bre walks out of her room. Her brown hair is in messy space buns, and she is wearing a tight neon pink mini dress. She copied my makeup, opting for a dramatic pink lip instead of my red ones.

Thankfully, I am curvier than Bre, but Bre is a beautiful and pure woman. Her soft features and full lips always attract men and women alike. She is a brunette bombshell in her neon pink high heels, wearing the simple diamond necklace Chris got her for her birthday.

“You guys look great,” Chris finally manages, glaring at Seth before walking over to Bre and turning her slowly with one hand.

Chris checks out every inch of Bre’s body. It makes me smile because I know Chris has been around for a while. I look at Seth; he is still sitting on the couch, on his phone.

“Ready?” I ask with a nod toward him.

“Yeah,” he says, standing and straightening out his collar.

“Graham and Katherine are meeting us there.”

Bre beams and I can feel the anxiety building as we get to Chris’s Tahoe. It only worsens as we get closer to the club, and Seth hasn’t even attempted to touch me in any way.

We are a block away from the club, and I am already miserable. Seth has barely acknowledged me, and by the time Chris parks, I am out the door of the SUV. I’m growing impatient and just want another shot of something. I don’t feel like waiting for anyone else to show up.

The club is packed when we walk in, and the sounds of Ashanti’s “Foolish” fill the air. I smile, grabbing Seth’s hand and heading towards the only bar I see, ordering two whiskey colas. I pull a twenty from my cash, leaving it on the bar after Seth grabs the drinks.

He hands me mine, and we look around the crowded club. The club’s noise is helping calm me, and I can’t help it when my body naturally begins to move with the familiar beats. I have always enjoyed dancing, and I don’t realize how much I need this movement in my body.

A roar echoes through the club as Rihanna’s “We Found Love” opening beats drop. I smile and take another sip of my whiskey cola, letting the music overtake my body at the bar as I watch Chris lead Bre onto the dance floor. I don’t care that Seth isn’t much of a dancer.

I am lost in my world and suddenly snap back to reality when I hear Seth yelling Katherine’s name over the music. I open my eyes, stilling my body, and look towards him. Seth’s smile is one that I haven’t seen. I follow his gaze and do my best to calm myself when I realize his eyes are on Katherine in a small light blue dress. She is tall and rather pretty, and most men like redheads, but I don’t understand what I am looking at.

If Seth looks at her like that, why is she with Graham? Her energy feels sp toxic.

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