Page 52 of One Twisted Lie

“I said that the program is mine,” I argue. “I’m the one that sacrificed everything to work on it. I’m the only one that could do it. It belongs to me.”

“Carter, don’t be rash—”

And then I think, what do I fucking have to lose? My father, he’s weak. Since the moment he chose a ninety-dollar bill over his future business partner, he’s been an idiot. I’ve followed a ridiculously petty man my entire life, and that changes things.

I’m stronger than he is. I’m smarter than he is. I’m better than he is.

So he better shut up and listen tomenow.

“I’ve been fucking him, you know,” I blurt out confidently, ignoring my father’s shocked gasp. “Ozymandias and me. I don’t think his father imagined that would happen when he asked us to get close, but I’m so fucking thankful for it.”

“You’ve been inside that filth?”he hisses, a gag coming through the line, and I can almost picture the dry heave.“Don’t tell me you’re the one that takes it. “

I roll my eyes, not bothering to stoop down to his homophobic level. “The mechanics are none of your business. Your only business is figuring out what you’re going to do without this flash drive and without me.”

“How could you do this to us?”

That’s a good question. How did this happen? How is it possible that after all the lies and all the betrayal, that I’d still choose my princess?

Because I realize my princess never pressured me for information on the program. My princess always tried to get me to take a break. My princess was there to comfort me when I got frustrated, kiss me when it felt hopeless, and make me smile at all the dumb shit he says. He was like me, just another toy soldier following Daddy’s orders.

But he didn’t. He was tasked with taking the program that apparently everyone wants, but he didn’t. He had his choice, he made his choice, and he chose me.

Now it’s my turn.

I smile despite the circumstances and shrug. “Because it turns out I actually love the fucker more than I love this useless stick in my hand.”

There’s a pause, and I wonder what my father’s thinking. I wonder if he’s imagining where it all went wrong for me. No, none of the blame would be on him. It never is. He’s probably picturing how corrupted I’ve become by my gay friends, how brainwashed I’ve become by an evil Clark.

Maybe he’ll see if we can mend this patch like a true family, but his next words don’t disappoint.

“You’ll be hearing from my lawyer.”

I smirk wildly, leaning back on my chair, and the tension I’ve felt this entire year vanishes. “Oh, I’m sure I will. Bye, Father.”

Although I should be, Father’s lawyers don’t scare me. What scares me is what is displayed once I close my phone and stare down at the background I set a few weeks ago. It’s such a stupid picture. I’ve got my lips on Ozymandias’s cheek and his bewildered expression is laughable. I had meant to change it but couldn’t bring myself to. Now, I know why.

Fuck my father. Fuck Ozymandias’s father.

Fuck everyone that isn’t us.

Chapter 26

Carter

“Seeing as you’re the creator of the program, I’d say we have a solid case, Mr. Clark.”

“I don’t think Keith will see this through all the way. The amount of capital it’s going to take to fight this thing isn’t worth it.”

“What we should do is file our own claim.”

I tune out my expensive squad of lawyers drumming in my ear as I walk back to my dorm. True to his word, my father has filed a lawsuit against me. Pity he didn’t realize that my enormous trust fund would make me equally equipped to fight back. It’s a tedious and annoying process but if my father wants to play ball, I’m fucking game. There’s no way in hell he’s getting my software.

I open my mouth to ask the lawyers about what kind of claim we could file, but I stop short in the hallway, nearly dropping my phone because Ozymandias is leaning against the door to my room looking absolutely wrecked. But he’s still so fucking hot. Even with his greasy hair and dark bags under his eyes, he still manages to look something more than human. He still manages to look like mine.

It’s only been two weeks since we broke up, and in between licking my wounds and dealing with the lawyers, I haven’t had time to see him. I meant to, but every time I tried to walk to his room, I’d feel another itch of betrayal work through me. I’ve decided I want to make this work between the two of us because I miss that fucker so much, but it’s harder to work through your problems when they’re staring you in the face.

I hang up the phone without a word, shoving it in my pocket, and tentatively walk up to Ozymandias, fiddling with the coffee cup in my hand. “Wouldn’t just let yourself in?”

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