Page 74 of The Lies Always Told

“Is he or is he not at your house right now, waiting for you?” Allie asks through a smile, her lips on her glass. Cara wasn’t lying when she said we would not be able to stop drinking the wine. I’m so glad that for once, I listened to my sister and didn’t drive here. Because of it, I’ve been able to enjoy every second.

“Yes, he is, but just because the puppy needs company.”

“How often does he sleep over?” Allie asks again. I love that she’s not holding anything back. She’s just one hundred percent messing with Cara. We all know Manny stays over there all the time, it’s just a matter of them pulling the trigger. I stay quiet, because every time I hear Manny’s name, I think of Gus, and rage engulfs me whole.

“I mean…often, but it just makes sense,” Cara adds again.

“Are all the men hanging out atyourhouse with Manny for boy’s night or whatever they want to call it?” Allie asks again, and Cara nods, rolling her eyes.

“I think you should just stop acting like you don’t want him to move in with you and just do it. It’ll be easier on both of you, cheaper too,” Roe adds at the same time the doorbell rings.

“Oop, time to go,” Cara says, changing the topic and starting to gather her things. The boys were all hanging out together, according to Cara, and by boys I mean, Cara’sboyfriend, Livie’s husband, Natalie’s husband, Allie’s fiancé, and Roe’s partner. I have no man to add to the combo. I’m just here for the book chats and the wine, single as ever. We all say goodbye to Natalie before walking to the door to be greeted by the boys. I smile as I see their faces, but then, another familiar face shows up next to Manny. Same height, same smile, same eyes, but darker skin and shorter hair, plus a dimple I never noticed until a few months ago, when we started fooling around and I started falling for him. Gus stands next to his twin brother, Manny looking as smug as ever. Fuck my life.

“Gusti!” Allie shouts, walking past everyone to hug her little brother. I’m always happy to see how strong their sibling relationships are. Cara and I are close, but because we’re eight years apart, it’s hard for us to share the type of bond the twins and Allie share at only two. She genuinely looks happy to see her brother, unlike me. All I want to do is smack him over the head. Yell at him. Kill him slowly. Maybe kiss him. He might be talking to his sister, but every few seconds, his eyes briefly meet mine. I narrow my eyes, but it doesn’t stop him from doing the same thing over and over again.

“All the girls are here, and Nellie joined us today too. Isn’t she so grown up now?” Allie asks.

“Oh yeah, that she is,” Gus replies, walking my way and kissing my cheek. “Hola, Nellie,” he whispers. I wish I could hide the goosebumps that crawl up my back or the way my knees weaken at the smell of his cologne. Him being so close makes me want to squirm.

“Hi!” My voice sounds lively, like I’m trying overly hard to say the words, but if anyone notices, they hide it well. Everyone is too focused on their own love lives with light in their eyes to notice the way mine leaves my eyes the minute Gus is around. Once he brought it to life; now, he just let it die. “I’m sorry to rain on your parade, but it’s a school night, and I really have to go.”

“Oh, no problem. Let’s go,” Cara says to Manny, who kisses her forehead and guides her out to his car.

“I can take Nellie home. It makes sense, since I just have to drive home, and all of you have work tomorrow,” Gus says nonchalantly.

“No!” I spit back quicker than I can stop myself. All eyes are on me instantly, so I probably have three seconds to come up with a reply.

“It’s not a big deal, really,” Gus says, smoothing over my outburst.

“Are you sure? Cara and Manny can take me.” Please dear lord, let this man read between the lines.

“It’s no problem. Come on.” Why is he even here? Did they all just drive separate cars? Well, Allie and Cara live a couple of blocks away from each other, so maybe that’s why only Manny’s here. I live on the other side of town, so it does make sense for someone else to drive me, and Roe lives closer to the forest area. Baker Oaks is small, but because each house has acreage, it feels bigger. Cara just bought a house in the same neighborhood as Allie.

“Bye, see you guys soon!” I wave. My hand is a little unsteady as I follow Gus to his car. The Barracuda. Hisspecial occasion car.

I stumble slightly, still feeling the buzz from way too many glasses of peach wine, and Gus grabs my arm before I can make a bigger fool of myself.

“Easy there, Trouble.”

I mutter, “Stop it,” and reach for his arm so I don’t lose my footing. “What’s wrong with you? Why are you even here?” I can barely get the words out, the alcohol muddling my thoughts. He opens the door for me and helps me slide in.

“I will never stop,” Gus whispers as he fastens my seat belt with a snap, his fingers brushing my skin and awakening all my senses. Then, he circles the car and slides into the driver’s seat, glancing over at me with that damn smile.

I roll my eyes, feeling the weight of his grin. “There are zero reasons for you to be smiling at me.”

His smile only widens. “I can think of at least one. The most important one.”

“What?”

He smiles again before he says, “I finally have your attention.” He winks at me, shifts the car into drive, and pulls out of Natalie’s driveway. “Maybe this is the only way you’d actually talk to me.”

“Nope, I don’t have to talk to you. You can talk, but I don’t have to reply. I can just sit here quietly and wait for you to drive me home. It’s late, remember?”

“It’s ten o’clock. You’ll be fine.”

“Unlike you, Mr. Rich Man, Forbes thirty under thirty most eligible bachelor ever, I have to go to work tomorrow.”

He scoffs as he changes the music and plays an old song I can’t put my finger on. “Ten is not that late. We have time to talk.”

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