Page 69 of Lie for a Lie

I can’t see Chris from where I sit on the boat floor, but I know if Seth is with him, he will be a total alpha mess.

“Let’s get you cleaned up,” he says, lifting me into his arms after ensuring I keep the pressure on my face with Seth’s now bloody shirt. I can’t help but watch how gracefully he moves as he pulls out a tactical box filled with medical supplies. I barely feel any pain when he finally can irrigate the small cut and put in three stitches.

With how much a pimple hurts along my lip line, I assume I will cry as the needle pierces my skin repeatedly, but there is a gentleness I don’t expect. For how massive of a man Graham is, he is the complete opposite in so many ways. It is another reason he is slowly becoming one of my favorite people.

“Why were you over here by yourself in the boat?” I ask when he finally finishes the last stitch.

He freezes in place and exhales slowly.

“Because I can’t stop thinking about how much I want to wake up next to you again.”

He locks eyes with me, and I can’t bring myself to keep looking at him but feel the tears building behind my eyes. The reality of what we both have been feeling is exposed and raw.

Graham steps away as Seth approaches the boat, breaking the thick tension. I didn’t realize how heavy the air has become between us until Seth pulls my attention away. I find myself missing Graham instantly as Seth lifts me over the side of the boat to him. I don’t take my eyes off Graham, and finally, I mouth thank you as Seth carries me back towards the campsite.

“Paige, are you okay?”

Seth asks softly as I finally turn to him and smile before wincing in pain. Nodding yes, he kisses my cheek softly. I cuddle into him, wishing I had my hoodie on before all this happened.

Seth puts me in one of the chairs, and Graham drops my bag next to me before sitting next to Katherine. Bre is in my face before I can process it, and I feel suffocated.

“I’m fine. It’s just a busted lip. No big deal.”

The pain is in every word. My jaw hurts, and my lip must look horrible because it is swollen.

“You’re going to have a scar,” Bre says pitifully like this has made my face unbearable.

I sigh, annoyed.

“No, it won’t. A surgeon did my stitches.”

My eyes dart to Graham, who doesn’t even hide his smile.

“Besides, if there is a scar, I don’t care. That’s life. Not all wounds are internal.”

I don’t know why I am feeling so smothered by her. I just need space to process the last hour of the day. I went from surprise sex to extreme facial pain very quickly.

“Bre?” Chris says softly. “I have a surprise for you. Can we take a walk?”

It takes Bre a moment to focus entirely on Chris. The way he is with her is always so gentle, and being aware of every bit of her soul is always a priority for Chris. I honestly have never seen a connection like it. Two people just made to complement each other.

For so long, Bre has searched for someone to include in her life and not define it. Someone who wants to grow with her and be successful in their own way. I know he can provide her with that.

Now is the perfect time to clean up and change into warmer clothes. I excuse myself with my bag and head to the tent. I open the pack of wet wipes I brought and wipe down every inch of my body before dressing in a pair of thicker workout pants, a clean shirt, and my hoodie. After cleaning up my mess, I put my hat in my bag and throw everything in one of the grocery bags I brought with me.

I take the time to feel how much my lip has swollen and take a few more ibuprofen from my bag. I need to ice it. Like Graham is reading my mind, he hands me ice and a cold beer when I finally come and sit back down. I smile slightly, putting the ice on my lip.

We have a roaring fire an hour later, but Chris and Bre haven’t returned. Judging by how dark it is now and only one of the two tents we brought is up is occupied, I think they are camping elsewhere tonight. I try not to worry about the idea of something happening, and Graham can sense what’s wrong.

Seth and Katherine have been oddly inseparable for the last thirty minutes. They play cards a little further down the beach while we sit listening to Graham’s Bluetooth speaker playlist.

“There is a spot just north of us about ten minutes further than you guys went out earlier. Chris set up a romantic campsite for them. Don’t worry. I promise they are safe.”

I let out a sigh of relief and shake my head. “How did you know I needed to hear that?” I look down at my drink, and guilt fills my chest for some reason.

His jaw clenches, and he lifts his beer to his lips before emptying what is left. He pulls out his whiskey bottle from the bottom when he opens the cooler. I laugh and mutter, “Always whiskey.”

He looks at me and smiles.

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