Page 2 of Sinful Little Lies

Finally landing on some sweats and a t-shirt, I nod my head towards my bathroom and give her my clothing. “Go ahead andchange in there. I’m going downstairs to grab some water. Do you need anything else?”

Verena shakes her head no, stepping into the bathroom and closing the door behind her. Taking off downstairs, I swing by the kitchen and get our water. Opening the pantry, I grab crackers in case V decides she’s hungry. I don’t know what she needs, and I don't think she’s too sure of it, either. The best thing for me to do is be there for her in any way I can, and I will.

I’d do anything for her.

Trailing back upstairs, thoughts pass through my head wondering what brought her to my doorstep.Is she in trouble, or is she going to forget about this tomorrow and expect me to do the same?

Not going to happen.

Unfortunately, everything Verena does is permanently etched into my brain. We met in middle school, and she’s been my purpose for living every day since. This California girl arrived in Devil’s Lake and completely stole my heart.

Granted, she hated me and always did her best to steer clear of me. A few years after Emmett and I became friends, her family moved down the block from us. I spent months chasing after her. She never gave me the time of day. In her eyes, I was another young boy with no control over his heart or his dick, and she didn’t want any part of that.

My mind wanders to a memory I’ve held close for so long. It was when I ran into her at a house party. She was a freshman in high school, and I, a sophomore. I knew which guys were cool and which were creeps, and the creeps were eyeing her. She was fresh meat in the depths of the jungle, and when the fresh meat is wearing a blood-red, skin-tight two-piece, it attracts predators from a mile away.

I pulled her into a game of spin the bottle that was happening in the living room, and when it was my turn to go, guess who thebottle landed on? Being the hopeless romantic that I am, I surely thought it was fate. Verena, on the other hand, did not.

She laughed it off saying, “I amnotkissing you!” She shoved me playfully, but I caught her wrist, and our eyes met. Her breath hitched, and I pulled her body closer to mine. Our eyes never broke contact, and it felt as if we were the only two people in the room.

“Are you guys gonna kiss or what? Let’s go!” A whiny voice shouted from across the room. I dropped her wrist and cupped her face, brought her lips to meet mine, and gave her a simple, soft peck. When I pulled back, her face of dissatisfaction told me everything I needed to know.

She wanted more.

Everyone did. There was the beginning of hooting and hollering from douchebag athletes, encouraging us to give them a show. It was anticlimactic. It was safe. I don’t know why I didn’t take what I wanted and devour her whole when I had the chance. It was absolute hell, giving myself a taste of ambrosia, knowing I’d live the rest of my days without relishing in the heavenly flavor of her lips.

But it showed me something. Eventually, she would be mine. Major trust the process vibes, but I’m trusting it nonetheless.

Besides, she’s currently cuffed up with some asshole, Leo. Can’t wait for her to ditch that stupid fuck. She’s too good for him. He’s a complete douche, and I wouldn’t be surprised if she came here because the dickwad broke her heart.

Is he the culprit behind her appearance? I wouldn’t mind breaking his skull if he was.

V kept her distance after that night at the party. She never had many friends and didn’t care about having a social life. Verena had a younger sister, Veronica, who she referred to as Ronnie, and that was enough for her. They were attached at the hip. Two peas in a pod, always giggling and whisperingsecrets back and forth to each other. It was a breath of fresh air compared to the reality I’ve known with my own siblings. Seven of us in total, and I hate every single one of them.

In her junior year of high school, Ronnie passed away of cancer, and Verena changed after that. Her chocolate brown hair was dyed to an inky, midnight black. Her shoulder-length curls were stretched and straightened, cascading down her spine. The usually bright wardrobe transformed into edgy and gothic, and her features were accentuated with the darkest liners and shadows possible.

To an outsider, she changed overnight. But I saw her slowly falling apart from afar.

Bringing myself back to the present moment, I feel my growing hard-on make an appearance, and I maneuver the drinks in my hand, freeing one to cover up my excitement towards her presence and the reminder of our moment that prematurely ended.

I sigh and climb the stairs back up to my room. Opening the door, I spot Verena on the small black loveseat next to my window. Apparently, she found my weed because she’s taking a hit from my bowl, and when her eyes meet mine, she freezes.

I chuckle, “Make yourself at home. Please.” Little does she know how serious I really am. She gives me a small smile and takes a hit, visibly calming down with the inhalation.

Desperate to know the truth behind her visit, I sit and waste no time trying to get answers to my questions.

“So, where were you tonight? At home? Out with some friends?” I ask, hoping her answer has nothing to do with her douchebag boyfriend.

“I was with Leo.” She replies after a few moments of hesitation, barely loud enough for me to hear.

My jaw flexes. Was he the one who did this to her? There’s no way she would be honest with me, but I need to know thetruth. Black and blue bruising appears around her right eye and it seems to have swollen since she arrived. My shirt hangs off of her, baring her neck to me. Ligature marks are forming on her neck.

I try to bite my tongue and figure out the best way to approach this, but the words are rolling out of my mouth before I get the chance to reel them back in. “Did he do this to you? What happened? You can tell me, V. I’m only here to help you. To protect you.”

Her eyes widen, and she shakes her head. Clearing her throat, she chuckles and says, “No. No, of course not. He’d never. I tripped. Hit my face on the doorknob. I’m such a klutz.”

A fucking doorknob?

“Verena, do you think I’m fucking stupid?” I ask her, my expression deathly serious.

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