Things Liars Say (#ThreeLittleLies #1)(28)

My eyes widen, riveted.

“Yup. Benched. For three games or something like that.”

“What else did this endless wealth of knowledge tell you?”

“That he’s making a huge sacrifice for someone who hasn’t even, uh…”

“Hasn’t even… what?”

“You’re seriously going to make me say it?”

“I don’t even know what it is!” I laugh.

“Ugh, fine. He said that Cal is making a huge sacrifice for a guy who hasn’t even f*cked you yet and doesn’t even know if the * is worth the price tag.”

“What?” I’m convinced my eyes bug out of my head. “He said that to you? What a pig!”

Melody blushes. “Yeah, it was harsh, but all his teammates are seriously pissed. It’s blowing up on him; I mean, he’s their Captain. Plus Cal didn’t tell the guys until after he’d told their coach—who, by the way, was furious. That being said, I’m glad.”

Melody walks over and grabs one of my nude colored high heels out of the shoebox, unbuckles it, and squats down so I can slide my foot in. She glances up as she fits the leather ankle strap through the gold clasp. “For the record, it’s about time you found a guy with balls big enough to go after what he wants. He basically gave his entire team the proverbial middle finger so he could be with you tonight.”

I get warm and tingly all over.

“Anyway, I wish I could be here when he picks you up, but I better skedaddle if I’m going to get the shit done on that list you made me so you could meet Cal here instead of at the hotel. You owe me big time for this, you know. Oh, shoot, I almost forgot. Hand me your overnight bag. I’ll take it now so you don’t look awkward hauling it out in your fancy dress. Not classy.”

“Not classy,” I agree, and I wheel the small lavender carry-on suitcase over to the door.

She grabs it, leans to peck me on the cheek, and starts back towards the door. I call her back. “Hey, Mel?”

Turning, she regards me. “Yeah?”

“I love you.”

“Love you too.”





Cal: Just about to leave. I’ll see you in an hour. Sooner if I push the gas.

Grey: Don’t do that! Be safe. Two hands on the wheel. Melody and Jemma are picking up my slack, so there’s no rush.

Cal: Alright. Be there in an hour.

Grey: I can’t wait to see you.

Cal: Me either.





Calvin





I pull at my necktie as I take the steps to Grey’s front door, tugging it back and forth to tighten the knot I’d loosened on the way over so I could breathe.

It’s a white silk tie with white embroidered flowers, a tie my sister picked out when I told her what I was doing, and who I was doing it with. It’s also the color of Greyson’s dress.

Maybe the guys are right; I am f*cking * whipped.

But I swear, when Grey finally opens that door, I don’t give one shit what anyone says. They can bench me or filet me alive or kick me off the team, for all the f*cks I care.

Because Greyson is stunning.

And the look she’s giving me right now has me standing twenty feet tall.





Greyson





For a moment, we just stare at one another.

It’s me who moves first, opening the door wide enough for Cal to step through, up into the living room.

He looks so handsome. Black pleated dress pants, crisp black shirt, tailored black jacket, and a glaringly white embroidered tie that matches my dress perfectly.

I want to touch him.

“Jesus, babe, let me look at you,” he says with a strained voice, stepping farther into the room. “You are so beautiful.”

“I feel beautiful.” I give a pleased little twirl, and my skirt flares up around my hips. His eyes go to my bare legs, and I bite back a smile as I say, “I need a hug or something.”

Or something.

Cal smiles, shrugs off his suit coat, lays it neatly over a kitchen chair, and wraps his arms around my waist after I step into his outstretched arms. I lean into the embrace? mindful not to get makeup on his shirt.

My lips graze his jaw, tattooing his skin with plum lip prints, and I draw back, fingering his tie. It matches my dress.

I gasp with delight. “Wherever did you find this?”

“Tabitha.” He rolls his eyes. “She literally lost her shit when I asked for her help. It made her whole year. But then my mom got all weird because I didn’t call her first. It was a whole thing I’d rather not talk about,” he jokes. “Tabitha had it rush shipped to school. She can’t believe I’m going to a sorority formal and wants to meet the girl putting up with my bullshit for an entire night—her words, not mine.”

“Well, thank your sister for me because you look… Is it possible that you got more handsome since the last time I saw you? How am I going to keep my hands to myself?”

“You don’t have to keep your hands to yourself,” he jokes.

“Okay. I won’t.”

“In that case, I guess I’ll have to send my sister a bouquet to thank her for making me irresistible.”

“Maybe you should.”