Page 64 of Lies Like Love

Fel makes me fucking insane.

There’s only one person I’ve ever come unhinged for, and she’s tipping her head back in a laugh so loud it sends shock waves through the room.

Or maybe that’s my imagination.

“Long time, Jude.” Fel’s grandfather stops beside me, sipping his whiskey. His eyes follow my line of sight to his granddaughter.

He’s been circling for a few minutes, and I didn’t miss when he started closing in, which gave me enough time to escape if I wanted to. But this conversation is inevitable—just like me andher.

“Not long enough.” I don’t bother looking at him.

His shoulders shake with a half-hearted chuckle. “How are things at the tattoo parlor?”

“Good.” I hate that he’s faking pleasantries, but that’s all this world is—a load of absolute bullshit. “How long have you known I’ve been there?”

“I’ve kept tabs.” He taps his glass with his index finger, humming as he thinks something over. “Don’t pretend you haven’t.”

I can’t help the laugh that almost bursts out of me, but I swallow it down. I know better than to hand this man my reactions.

“Someone had to.”

Her grandfather hums again. “Are you saying we can’t protect our granddaughter?”

“So you admit she needs protecting?”

Finally, I do dare to look at him—straight in the eyes. He tries to bury his shock at the bluntness of my question, but cracks show.

Her family let me fall on my sword for what happened. They painted me as a reckless teenager who needed to be committed. But they forget I know their truths, even if Fel doesn’t.

Fel’s grandfather holds my stare because he isn’t the type of man to back down. While most people in this room can’t see past his classy façade, with his salt and pepper hair swept neatly back, and his suit perfectly tailored—he’s just like our parents, maybe worse.

He let Fel believeIwas the villain.

“We both know how this ends.” He holds his drink up and out, and my eyes once more move to Fel. “You two were always drawn to each other. But Felicity has a future. She has bigger things to do in life than to let you drag her down. Just because you gave up your potential, doesn’t mean you should take hers.”

Almost like Fel feels me watching her, she finds me through the crowd. Her pretty, blue eyes skip from me to her grandfather.

“That’s where you’re confused. I didn’t give up anything I didn’t want to. And as for Felicity—at least have the spine to admit what’s really bothering you. She might pretend to hate me, but she’ll always trust me more.”

“What have you told her?” His posture hardens.

I shake my head. “Nothing.”

It would only hurt her.

“Good.”

I can’t help but laugh now. “Not what I would call it.”

Her grandfather huffs, taking another sip of his drink, but not elaborating, so I move on.

“Speaking of the past you like to pretend doesn’t exist, why are you still talking to my father?”

Her grandfather smirks like my question’s beneath him, and he can’t believe I’m asking. “You think you know it all—thought you knew it all back then too.”

“I know more than you think.”

“I’m sure you don’t.” He narrows his gaze, sweeping the room. “You were a boy acting on impulse. A teenager. What you think you knew and reality aren’t one and the same.”

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