Page 8 of Loving the Liar

“Because Peach. He’s probably only seeing me while he waits to see if he gets onto the lacrosse team this year. He just needs a good reputation while he waits. Then he’ll leave.”

“Have you ever considered you might be a bad fuck?”

My mouth drops open.

“I’m kidding,” she laughs. “You’re not a bad fuck, Els. I’ve heard those guys in your bedroom. They’re loving your little submissive needs.”

“I’m so done with you tonight.” But I can’t help laughing as we make our way down the outside steps from the main entrance to the different paths that lead all over campus. She’s such an idiot.

“Matias,” Alex suggests quietly. “He wanted things to get serious.”

“Ugh, Matias randomly kissed me at that game in front of everyone like some stupid ownership gesture. I hate that.”

We were playing a parting lacrosse game against the state university and Matias is part of the team. At the end of it, he kissed me in front of everyone. He wanted to live some sort of fantasy about kissing the cheer captain on the field or something. I don’t know, but I ended up slapping him in the face once we were in private. Of course, Hermes outed me.

My friends both look at me like I’ve grown two heads.

“It makes sense,” I snap. “It makes sense to me.”

“You love your men obsessed,” Alex says. “How can not liking Matias’s ownership gestures make sense to you?”

“She only liked it when it was Chris,” Peach snorts.

“That’s not true!” My attempt at defending myself makes my cheeks redden.

Both my friends laugh at me as we enter the woods.

We make our way down the footpath that leads to the south of the campus through the forest. The sun has almost set, but SFU is a safe campus, mostly because it’s completely fenced off. 140 acres of gated private property built in the middle of Silver Falls Forest only for the students who can afford it.

“You’ll get an obsessed boyfriend soon enough,” Peach reassures me, putting an arm around my shoulders. “Probably too soon, since you should never have an obsessed boyfriend.”

“Soon enough? I haven’t had a boyfriend in five years. I think it’s about time it happens if you ask me. Maybe I should have just picked Matias. Should I just text him tonight rather than Alpha Kappa guy?” I sigh. “I’m just asking for someone who wants me so badly he’d do anything for me.”

Chris, my ex, was the closest who ever came to this. He was insanely obsessed with me, borderline controlling. I never had to wonder if he truly wanted me. I know he did. But someone else was more important to him than me. Luke. My brother. His best friend.

Chris kept us a secret, and when the time came, he sacrificed us so he wouldn’t have to lose his friendship with Luke. Five years later, I’m the one who still hasn’t found anyone else.

“Els,” Peach says sadly as her arm slides from around my shoulders so she can grab my hand. “What you’re describing is not only toxic, which is what Chris got you used to, but it also doesn’t really exist.” Her smile twisted with apology makes me feel sick. “No man is going to burn the world down for you. That’s why it’s so important to love yourself wholly before you enter another relationship.”

My exaggerated pout relaxes her a little bit. “Xi would burn the world down for Alex.”

Alex rolls her eyes. “Xi is insane.”

“Yeah,” Peach confirms. “Alex lives in some weird world where the villain got hold of her and, somehow, she likes it. Plus, I have to reiterate this again, girls: toxic. You two are not supposed to be into this. I couldn’t save Alex, but it’s not too late to save you.”

I laugh as I start walking again. “You’re happy, aren’t you, Alex?”

“I’m the happiest girl in the world,” she giggles sweetly. “But I won’t say it’s perfect. Okay, Xi would definitely burn the world down for me. But he’s really obsessed, Els.”

“I want obsessed.”

She shakes her head. “Unhealthily obsessed. It comes with its ups and downs, believe me.”

Peach goes into a tirade again, hellbent on protecting me.

“Humans are inherently selfish. Even Prince Charming, who would treat a woman in the most perfect way, needs to have a part of his life that doesn’t include being utterly consumed by his princess. Like, he can’t plan his entire life around her, you know? I mean, I’d be worried if I were the princess. What I’m trying to say is your only relationship ever was with Chris. And he did not set a good example. So, maybe just take your time until you find the right guy.”

I notice the black SUV parked in front of our house the second we come out of the woods. No one can drive these roads without security letting them in, so I have no doubt it’s for one of us.

---