Page 53 of One Twisted Lie

“Didn’t think it was wise under the circumstances,” he says, groaning as he stands there, avoiding eye contact with me. He’s awkward and unsure and, like me, probably on edge.

“What circumstances?”

“Don’t be a smart ass,” he spits, running a hand through his hair. “Are you going to take me back or not?”

I actually snort at hisoh-so-poeticphrasing. Leave it to Ozymandias to try to win me back with such venom in his voice. “Well, when you put it that way, I’m ready to fall on my knees and suck your cock.”

“Carter, be serious. Babe, I’m sorry,” he says, distress coating his face as he takes a step toward me. He reaches out to me, and I don’t back away when he grabs my arms, tugging me closer until we’re pressed together. The look of relief on his face having me near is euphoric because I feel it too. I feel like the air is no longer thin, like every breath is easier to take, like I was living a half-life until I was in his arms again. “I’m sorry I lied. I’m sorry I ever listened to that prick. I just want you. That’s it.”

There are tears in his eyes. Ozymandias never cries. He considers it a weakness, but he’s shedding tears for me. I spare him from his misery and brush away a stray tear on his cheek. “Come inside. I have an idea.”

He smiles, licking his lips as he watches me open the door. “Yeah?”

“Don’t get too excited,” I say, closing the door behind him and placing my coffee on my desk. “If you don’t like this plan, we might not work.”

“I’ll do anything. What’s the plan?”

“Did you ever stop to wonder why our parents hate each other so much?”

His brow furrows as he cocks his head. “I feel like I should have, but I never did.”

“Sit down,” I say, gesturing for him to sit down next to me on the bed when he just stands awkwardly in the corner. Once he’s next to me, I take one of his hands. “This is going to take a minute.”

And I tell him everything. I tell him about how heartbroken I was when he lied to me that it made me just dive into my work. I detail the conversation with my father about where the program originated, and that these two companies have been playing tug-of-war with it for years. I tell him that a stupid dinner bill started this all, and I can see every passing thought on his face as I recount my story.

I can see the regret, an apology on the tip of his tongue. I can see the fury in his eyes at the stealing of intellectual property. I can see the almost comedic horror as he realizes a simple dinner bill has defined our lives.

“Wait, you told him we are fucking?” he asks, his eyes wide and his lips agape.

I narrow my eyes at him. “Got a problem with that? I’m sure it’ll make its way over to your dad in no time. I guess I should have kept you out of it.”

“No, fuck my dad,” he says with a dismissive wave of his hand. “You said weare, not wewere.”

“I shouldn’t forgive you for what you did,” I start with a deep breath, tightening my hands around his to hide the tremble in my fingers. “You lied to me for so long. I’m half-convinced you tricked me into loving you.”

“No way,” he says with a frown. “You’re the one that did the tricking, bitch.”

“I’ll take you back, princess.”

I say it, and I mean it. This pull between us is too difficult to ignore. The way he makes me feel like I’m more than just my brain is something I’ve never experienced before. Those intimate moments we shared, I want them back. I want to sit and watchAttack on Titanwith him and then fuck him. I want us to be a fucking Instagram couple and go to the farmer’s market. I want us to fight and always make up at the end. This ridiculous fucker has rooted himself in my brain and all rational thought has left me.

But, Ozymandias, being of sound business mind looks at me hesitantly. “Just like that?”

“Fuck no,” I laugh, banging the side of his head. “You need to prove that you’re loyal to me and me alone.”

He nods desperately, squeezing my hands and the hope in his eyesalmostbrightens how dark they are. “Anything.”

“Let’s leave.”

“The room? In a fucking heartbeat. It smells like sex and sweat in here. I only like the smell of our sex and sweat.”

I have to laugh and give in to the urge to peck his temple. “Daniel and Mag probably fucked not too long ago, but that’s not what I meant. The true test of loyalty is what we’re going to do after graduation.”

He looks down at what I just pulled out of my pocket, and he gulps, staring at it like it’s a roach. “The flash drive.”

“There’s no way I’m giving this to my dad,” I explain. “I plan on selling it to the highest bidder and, using that money, start my own company.”

His jaw drops as his eyes widen, looking at the flash drive now in a new light. “You…you want to declare war on our parents.”

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