Page 17 of Scorching Lies

Looking my way, “You expecting anyone?” She asks.

Not taking my eyes off the doorway, my head shakes. Normally I wouldn’t feel dread in the pit of my stomach when someone knocks on the door on a Friday night but right after that message? Yeah, fuck that.

“Yo Ally!” Is shouted from the other side of the door followed by two more loud bangs.

“Fuck.” She mumbles, “I forgot he asked to stop by. I’m sorry Kens, I can make him leave if you want.” Her hazel eyes roam over my face, looking for the answer she doesn’t want to find.

We both know she wants him here, even if they are only fuck buddies. They have a weird relationship, one I used to have, minus the sex. Jealousy spikes like acid bubbling in my throat, but Ally’s shy smile and excited hip shimmy has me swallowing it down.

Rolling my eyes, “It’s fine Ally, I promise.”

Jumping from the couch, her smooth caramel legs are on full display in her black shorts paired with stockings that have the most beautiful rose pattern, and the smile on her face. Bouncing on her toes, she bends down to wrap me in a quick hug before dashing to the door. This girl. West steps inside the door, his eyes meeting mine instantly. Choosing to look away first, leaningto the right, my arm stretches across the couch to snag the remote.

“I call next pick.” I say, my gaze trained on the T.V.

Focusing on selecting the next movie, my body is aware of his large presence in our space, the warmth from him radiating around us, it’s what Ally likes about him. He’s warm, welcoming, flirty, and he works hard to make you smile. At least he did. Now, I’m a stain in his life that he can’t seem to remove. Not that I give a fuck since he’s in my space.

Choosing to sit off to the left side of the couch, he now has the perfect angle to keep his eyes on me. Ally sits with her back against the arm rest, legs stretching across his lap, completely unable to see the screen at all. Selecting a scary movie, I lean back against the couch trying to ignore the itch to check my phone. That’s how I spend the rest of the movie, unfocused, and full of anxiety about who this random stranger is. He knows my name, my number, and has access to me at school. So, the first thing that comes to mind is either the foundation or… My father.

If he’s found out where I am, then he could be getting closer to us. Even if that’s through the shadowed man. Blindly picking at my nails, I jump when West’s voice directs a question at me.

“What has you all wound up?” He studies me.

Looking away, my gaze falls on a photo of the beach with colorful shells and bright blue water. The wave distracting me from the questioning looks coming from the other side of the room.

“Kens.” He says.

Snapping my head in his direction, my lip curls, “You don’t get to call me that. Not now, not after everything. Don’t pretendlike you give a shit about anything other than your brothers and getting your dick wet.”

Leaning forward, he keeps his dark eyes on me, “I know everything there is to know about you, princess. There isn’t a step you take that we don’t know about, so I’ll ask again, What the fuck is your problem?”

Large hands grip Ally’s legs, dragging her ass onto his lap. Her eyes widen before a small smirk plants on her face. Guess I’m not the only one hiding something tonight. Picking at the skin under my nails, we stare each other down, neither willing to break.

“Well…. This is awkward. Just give it a rest for tonight, babe.” Ally whines, winking at me before kissing the side of his neck.

One. Two. Three. Three seconds is all it takes for him to pull his attention from me and focus on the pussy sitting on his stiff dick. She can handle him tonight because I don’t have time to stroke his ego or give him more than I’m willing to. Scooting to the edge of the couch to slip on my running shoes, Ally pulls away from their kiss.

“It’s a little late for a trip out don’t you think?” Her perfectly plucked eyebrows raise.

Giving her ashut the fuck uplook I quip, “Isn’t it too early to fuck the team captain?”

Jerking back from my comment, she rolls her eyes when she sees the joke in mine, but it’s the harsh glare from West that has ice filling my veins.

“Is this about the text you got earlier?” Ally presses, far too observant.

Pausing behind the couch on my way to the door, my back ramrod straight. Silence.

Laughing, “What text?” Play dumb. That’s the plan.

It’s not their business to know anything that’s going on, but I know Ally and she’ll push until I give her what she wants. She’s been far too nosey lately. First it’s questions about my dad, where my mom is, and why I left town two years ago. Then it was my history with the Stone’s. Why they felt the need to fuck with me. So many questions and yet she never asked the one that needed to be answered. I won’t give her anything for free. Trust is earned, being my roommate and best friend doesn’t give her a free pass. No one gets one anymore. I learned the hard way that even family can’t be trusted. Loyalty is earned, forged in pain, but maintained with respect and love.

Curiosity comes naturally to her it seems. Now she has West looking at me expectantly, but he lost my trust a long time ago. Rolling my shoulder, turning back to the door, I leave them there to watch me walk away.

“You can have the apartment for the night, just don’t fuck him on the couch.” I throw over my shoulder.

I can imagine how red her cheeks are when West’s deep laugh rattles behind my rib cage. How long has it been since I’ve been the one behind the cause of his laughter?

“Where are you going this late Princess? Late night fuck?” Mocking words hit my ears when I reach the door.

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