Page 47 of Lie for a Lie

Graham is holding onto me like he will never let me go if given the chance. I put my arms around his neck and look up, fighting every urge to kiss him when his eyes meet mine. Everything else disappears, and his heavy breath tells me he is struggling like I am. The roaring ocean of this moment is in his eyes, and I lift to my tiptoes.

“Thanks for the dance.”

I can feel his panic before the energy deflates between us, and he doesn’t fight me when I pull away from him. I have to put physical space between us and create boundaries. Otherwise, I don’t know what will happen. I have been casually dating one of his friends, and he is engaged.

I refuse to turn around when I walk away from him on the dance floor and head towards the bar. I find an open spot and flag down the bartender.

“Whiskey cola, please.” I smile when another familiar arm places money down on the counter for the second time tonight, doubling my order.

This time, though, Chris adds, “And two beers.”

“Is this finally the talk where you tell me to stay away from your two friends?” I say with a pathetic smile, looking longing at the dance floor.

I listen to the words of Breathe Again and have to close my eyes, trying to bring my focus back. I want to keep the mood light, ignoring that I feel like I have just left my heart on the dance floor. Chris smiles, nods towards the bartender, and then sips his beer. I go straight for my drink.

After a few more moments of silence, he asks, “Want to talk about it?”

I linger on him momentarily before looking back toward the dance floor. I watch Katherine and Graham dancing with Bre and Seth. Everyone else is having a good time.

“I don’t know.”

I have a lump in my throat and quickly sip my drink to calm myself. Chris studies me before sipping his beer and leaning closer.

“Just give him time.”

He pauses, making sure I am focused on him.

“He has a lot of baggage to work through, but I think you two could get there. You’d both be pretty fucking happy.”

His smile is genuine, but I have difficulty believing he will betray his brother like that unless he doesn’t mean Graham. I took another large sip of my drink, letting my attention fall back towards Graham. This is my first time seeing Graham and Katherine touch each other.

They look uncomfortable, even though Graham’s smiling. Seth keeps glancing at them, and it just seems off. I need some clarification on Seth’s behavior.

I look toward Chris, who is stone-faced, watching the same interactions I am. It seems as if he is in disbelief himself.

“So, when are you proposing?” I need this subject to change.

He lets out a small laugh before answering.

“It’s too soon.”

And I can see it all there in his eyes.

“No, it’s not. You two are clearly in the same place.”

“I could tell you the same thing.”

He glares at me.

I lean over and embraced him. He only stills for a moment before gently settling into the embrace.

“Everything okay?”

I hear Bre ask over my shoulder, pulling away from Chris. Seth follows behind her as she slides onto Chris’s lap. Seth settles next to me as his arm wraps around my shoulder. I just lean into him. He smiles and grabs my drink, finishing it and ordering two more rounds when the bartender returns. Graham and Katherine are dancing to a slow song, and I can see him looking in our direction whenever he faces this way. This is such an awkward situation, and it honestly is too much.

“Can you take me home?” I ask Seth.

His eyes are disappointed as the bartender brings the next round of drinks. I reach into my pocket and deposit some cash. Seth then grabs a drink as Katherine and Graham return to the crowded bar. I roll my eyes and push away from everyone, heading towards the door.

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