Page 9 of The Lie
He pauses. “I know that”—then continues—“but the drool”—down, then up—“on your chin, Mila”—down and up again—“says otherwise.”
I wipe my chin. Drool? He laughs and tumbles to the floor, holding his belly.
“Ugh, you wish.” I grab the smaller pink pillow and throw it at him, grunting at the pain. It’s a soft throw; I don’t have the strength for a harder one.
He catches it and lies gently beside me in Dad’s empty spot. It makes me smile that he knows not to jump on my bed, like he has every other time. My body presses up against him, and I feel his warmth. It’s nice.
“Let’s watch something better than this.” He pulls the under-bed table closer and taps on my laptop, starting to scroll through Netflix.
“Do you have any suggestions?” I ask as I move to sit a little higher to help ease my ribs a little.
“Porn?”
My mouth drops open as I stare at him. Dad could have heard him. No words come out. I don’t have a comeback for that. That threw me for a loop.
“No, you’re right. I’m all the porn you need. Arm porn, chest porn…” He sits up and pulls his tee off and lies back down. He flexes his arms, and I watch as he runs his hand down his chest and abs. Ugh…why does he have to be so flirty and off-limits? I glance away because I don’t need to look at him like this.
“Fucker.”
“Mila, here’s your— Eww, put your top on, Asher.” Madison scrunches her nose at the door while holding a bowl of pasta for me.
“Yeah, eww Asher.” I fake the same distaste as Madison, only hers is real.
Asher’s cocky grin slips a little, and I can’t wipe the grin from my face.
“Lies…All lies.” He shakes his head, and I catch him wink at me.
This is the best way to spend the night.
FOUR
MILA
Dad spent all day yesterday with me. He said it was a father-daughter day, that he wanted it to be just us for twenty-four hours. So, we didn’t have visitors. My fish tacos didn’t come with a side of Grady. I could have cried at that; I’d almost eaten half the stash of chocolates he’d given me, and I wanted to thank him. But nope…Dad sent him home. Even Kate, Madison, and Asher stayed away. I loved Dad, but I needed other humans too.
But today is a fresh new day and one for visitors. Hunter will be coming after training tonight. Dad promised me he could come. I lie and stare at my ceiling. It’s boring…I’m so bored. You would think getting to sit around and binge-watch shows would be the best thing that could ever happen. Nope. There’s only so much I can take before going stir-crazy.
I thought I would have a hard time convincing Dad that his job is too important to ignore it completely. They are three games into the season already, with their fourth one this Friday, so he shouldn’t miss any more work. I argued that he could leave me alone for a few hours, and I would stay in bed and relax, and that the team needs him.
That last part sealed the deal, and he left me here with strict instructions not to leave bed, and if I need anything, to call him and he will come rushing back.
It’s been less than an hour when the front door opens and closes. I groan and cover my eyes with my left arm. Dad didn’t last long at all.
I hear him coming up, the squeaky stair at the top letting me know he’s almost here. I smile at the sound. You can’t be sneaky in this house. My bedroom door is still slightly open, so I hope he will just pop his head in, see I’m fine, and go back to work.
Next week, I hope to go back to school. Though I care about my health, I can’t just lie around here all day for another week. I’m on day three, and I already need to escape my room, badly. Plus, I’m getting better. I don’t hurt as much today as I did yesterday. And my bruises are practically gone.
I hear the door open, and I smile. “Dad, I’m fine. I told you I would be.”
When he doesn’t answer, I pull my arm away from my eyes and look over to see…
“Hunter?”What the hell?
“In the flesh,” he says with his dazzling smile as he waves his hand over his body like he is on display. I’m so happy to see him. But also confused.
“Oh my god, how did you get in this time?” I pull the blanket from my legs and sit up. Swinging my legs over the bed carefully, I place my bare feet on the soft carpet.
With the biggest cocky grin, he holds up a key.
