Page 2 of Just a Little White Lie

“What did you even spend it on?”

Oh, you know—shoes, clothes, parties.

Not to mention interest on credit cards. Talk about adding up faster than you think it will.

Clubbing gets kind of pricey too, because there’s nothing better than picking up the bar tab for all my friends. I love doing that kind of thing for people. And then there was that trip to Spain for Ruby after her heinous breakup—she needed some happy in her life, and an all-expenses-paid weekend with her roommate did wonders for her. And let’s not forget Monte Carlo for Jane’s birthday—best weekend ever!

“Lauren? Are you even listening to me?”

“Uh… yeah. Of course I am. It’s actually kind of hardnotto hear you with all the yelling.”

He snorts like a bull, and I can’t help a little smirk.

“This isn’t funny!”

I know! But how else am I supposed to handle this nightmare? Tears and wailing?

Clearing my throat, I go to rest my feet on the dash, but a swift glare from my brother makes me stop. I bulge my eyes and stare out the window, watching the scenery flash by. Huh. The Waikato’s changed a bunch since I was last here.

“Lots of new housing,” I murmur.

“Yeah. Hamilton’s kind of exploded since you left, and Cambridge is bulging at the seams too. Auckland’s just too expensive now, so people are moving south.”

I nod, waiting for his pointed look or snarky comment about how everyone in the world can manage their money better than I can.

“A lot’s changed since you’ve been living in London.”

“I guess three years is a long time,” I agree.

“Yep. You sure can get up to a lot of trouble in three years.”

Insert second eye roll.

Luke huffs, tapping his long, skinny finger on the wheel. He’s always been long and skinny. His sandy-blond hair is fine and tamed into submission with just the right amount of styling fudge. His sharp features are similar to mine, as are his hazel eyes. Yeah, we definitely look like siblings. He’s also well dressed… and super organized, a total time-Nazi and anal abouteverything. It’s safe to say our similarities end with our looks.

I’ve never fully understood him, but I’ve always loved him, because he’s my brother. You kind of have to love your family, right? Although my parents are making a special exception after my snowballs turned into avalanches.

At first it was just a little loan to get me to Paris. I couldn’tnotgo when all my roommates were. That would have been rude. But I didn’t think my parents would get the fact that my credit cards were maxed out and the bank wasn’t giving me any leeway, so I told just one little white lie.

“I haven’t been able to get as much work as I wanted, and I just need you to cover me for some rent.”

It wasn’t a total lie. I had to pay “rent” while I was staying in France, and Ruby needed just a little extra to cover for her too. And the work thing was true as well. Although, I didn’t want to admit that relief teaching in London high schools was a special type of warfare that made me want to hang myself by the end of the day. So, I hadn’t exactly accepted every offer coming my way.

Anyway, my parents were exceedingly generous and sent me fifteen grand without even batting an eyelid.

“No rush to pay us back. Get yourself back on your feet, honey. We’re aware that you’re all on your own over there.”

I hadn’t even mentioned a specific amount and was thrilled by their generosity. Since my first lie had worked so well, I figured telling another little one wouldn’t be a problem. And it worked… again.

I had moments of realization between the two big loans where I would buckle down and slog it out for a month or two, working every day and paying off my credit cards, but then something shiny and new would capture my attention again, or one of my friends needed a pick-me-up. Since when has generosity ever been a flaw, right?

Mum and Dad were just so sweet about bailing me out when I needed it. Until they wised up and dug a little deeper, finding out the entire truth and erupting with such wrath that… well, I’ve never seen anything like it. They paid off my credit cards, booked me a ticket home—which I have to pay them back for—and I’ve been sent to live with my brother like I’m a naughty schoolgirl who’s grounded.

According to Luke, my prison sentence will end when I’m debt free.

Thirty grand.

I close my eyes and tip my head back. I am such a fool.

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