Page 9 of The Lies Always Told

FOUR

YOUR WORST NIGHTMARE

MAY

You’reOn Your Own Kid by Taylor Swift&There’s No Way by LAUV & Julia Michaels

Nellie

“You did it,babe! A fucking master’s degree at twenty-one years old,” my sister Cara says as she hugs me tightly. All her hugs are overbearing and slightly suffocating in the best way.

“Cara, language,” Mom replies to Cara’s little outburst.

“Sorry, habit,” she says.

“How are you in the habit of cussing all the time when you work with children every day? Is that how you talk to your students?” I ask Cara, bumping her with my hip jokingly. We keep walking, leaving the restaurant behind as we approach the parking lot. It’s so hot today, unusually hot, and between the humidity and the high temperatures, I really could use a swim to cool off. My phone vibrates in my purse, and when I pull it out, careful not to trip as I look away from the sidewalk, I see I have a text from an unknown number.

Unknown:

Congratulations, Nellie! You should be so proud.

Me:

Who’s this?

I type quickly before sliding my phone back into my purse and linking my arm with Cara’s.

“When are you going back to Chicago?” I ask Cara as we step closer to my car. Cara’s moving back to Baker Oaks this summer, and I plan to move back around that time too. For the first time in a long time, we’ll both live in the same town. Finally, I can hang out with Cara and the girls without feeling like an outsider or the baby sister.

“I leave tomorrow morning. I’m driving them to the airport first, though.” Chicago is only a few hours from here, so she drove, but our parents came from Florida for this.

“Wait, I thought you two were staying longer,” I tell my parents, who are walking slightly ahead of us, hand in hand. They’ve been married for almost forty years, and they still hold hands, Mom’s head on Dad’s shoulder while they carry on a conversation in hushed voices. It’s so beautiful to witness. One thing’s for sure: they set the bar high, and unless I find a man who looks at me the way Dad looks at Mom, I don’t want it. Another reason to continue living my life without attachments. Finding something like that is rare. I won’t risk failing at it just because it’s what’s expected. I’ve dated, obviously, but I often don’t make it to the point where feelings get involved, at least not for me. I’ve never failed at anything, and I wouldn’t want to start now.

Except, for the past month, all I’ve been able to think about is Gus Zabana. I enjoyed his company so damn much—not only the way he touched me, but also the way he listened. The thoughts circling my brain of what could’ve been are more than I’ve been able to handle. Watching him listenattentively to what I was saying and fight with himself because he was attracted to me when he knew he shouldn’t be was one of the hottest experiences of my life. No matter how much I try to forget that night, I can’t, and it’s driving me wild. It’s one hundred percent in my head because he has my number and nothing, not even a “it was nice to see you” message.

I shake my head and get back to reality when I hear my mom say, “We were, sweetie, but something happened with the fryer at Ronnie’s, so we have to go back a day early. I’m so sorry, Cornelia, but we’re very excited for you to be back home next month.” My parents own Ronnie’s, a southern food diner in Baker Oaks, so I’m sure if they say they have to go, they truly need to. I’m disappointed, but I can handle it. Plus, I’ll be moving in with them until I find a place, and I can’t wait to spend more quality time with them this summer.

“I understand. I love you guys,” I say, hugging Mom, then Dad. We’re standing outside Cara’s rental, so I guess this is goodbye.

“If you go out tonight, call me, Nells. I want to join.” Cara hugs me tight again and smiles at me. Her lemon scent engulfs me, reminding me of long summer days and lemonade stands by the park. We’re seven years apart, almost eight, which means we were often doing different things. I always felt like I was playing catch up, never playing together. She was always off with her friends, doing things I couldn’t, except for the few summers she would set up a lemonade stand, and we’d spend the whole day together. Cara is an amazing sister and friend, but there’s only so much time you want to spend with your little genius sister. Her words, not mine.

“I’m tired, so I doubt it, but yes, I’ll let you know. Bye, guys. I love you.” I wave at them as I walk toward my car and grab my phone to check if the mysterious number has a name.

Unknown:

Gus

My heart races at the sight of his name. I make it to my car, get in, and lock the doors before replying. Usually, I don’t want anything more from a guy than the one night, or even the one dance. Usually, the kissing, the touching, the banter is enough…but not with him. Memories of that night flood my brain, and suddenly, I’m acutely aware of how I felt with his hands on me, his low, silky voice singing for me while his hands explored my body. I usually just want a quick fuck, and I didn’t even get that with him. I’ve been wanting to figure out if there’s more. I need to find out if it was a fluke—a combination of the environment, the drinks, and his damn cologne—or if that connection could be something more.

Me:

I was starting to think you forgot how to use a phone.

Unknown:

Why?

Me:

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