Things Liars Say (#ThreeLittleLies #1)(8)

I raise my eyebrows. “What did your parents say about you giving up a scholarship?”

“They’re supportive; they want me to be happy.”

“Wow, they sound great.”

“The best,” he agrees with a small grin, nodding towards my shoddy little house. “Okay, so… I guess this is you, then.” He shoves his hands in his pockets, and we step down into the street to cross.

“I guess. And again, I’m so sorry. It was such a stupid, careless thing to do.”

“Yes, but…” he concedes. “No harm done.”

“Except the part where you came all this way to kick my ass,” I point out gamely.

“Yeah,” he agrees. “Except the part where I drove all this way to kick your ass.” He gives me an expression full of longing, clearing his throat once his gaze hits my breasts and lingers there. He blushes and looks away. “I’m actually really disappointed I didn’t get the chance.”

“Well, thank you, then—for not whooping my butt. I’m sure I deserved it.” I run a hand over my long blonde braid, and Cal’s bright, fascinated eyes follow the motion, sending tingles up my spine. I want to do it again just to see his reaction. “And thank you for not being a total jerk.”

“Don’t get me wrong. I was really pissed.”

“I’ll bet…” I tap my chin, and his gaze hits my mouth. “But on the bright side, it was only an hour drive, and you gave your friends something to talk about, probably for years. Ugh. Years.”

“A few years at least. But just look at how happy they are.” Our friends are still gathered on the porch, watching us walk back into the yard, chatting happily yet eyeing Cal and me with avid curiosity.

“They’re like little puppy dogs.”

I giggle. “I can’t even begin to imagine what they’re going to say when they finally get you alone.”

Cal laughs. “Your ears will be ringing, that’s for sure.”

“For years,” I remind him.





“Okay, you little sneak. Who. Was. That?” My roommate Melody ambushes me as soon as the screen door closes and the guys pull away in Cal’s big red pickup truck. I give him a jaunty little wave from behind the screen before stepping into Melody’s eager web of inquisition.

“That was… Well, Mel. That was Cal Thompson.”

“That was Cal Thompson? Seriously! Where the hell have you been hiding him?” She pauses, the truth setting in. “Wait. I’m confused. If that was your boyfriend, why was he acting like he didn’t know who you were?”

“Because… he… Ugh. God, Mel, I’m an idiot. That’s why.” How do I explain this without sounding like a mental person?

“Grey. Just tell me the truth.” Melody puts her hand on my shoulder. “I won’t judge you, promise.”

So I do.

I tell her everything.





Cal





As soon as the truck door slams shut, Aaron is half out of his seat, punching me in the arm. “Holy shit, Thompson, your stalker is f*cking hot. Did you get her number?”

My hands white knuckle the steering wheel. “No.” But I wanted to. God, how I wanted to.

Aaron looks at me like I’ve lost my goddamn mind. “Why the hell not?”

“Uh, because she’s a f*cking stalker,” Mason responds.

“So?”

They’re still bickering when I enter the off-ramp for the highway, and they’re bickering forty minutes later when we pull up to our off-campus housing.

“Her roommate was smokin’ hot too, and funny as shit. They’re in a sorority, man. Sexy as hell.”

Yeah, it is.

Aaron considers this information. “Way out of your league, bro.”

“Don’t kick a man when he’s down,” Mason chastises as we climb out of my truck.





@Grey_VKeller @tightheadthompson remember what I said about live tweeting during our meetings? It’s happening. Right. Now.





@tightheadthompson @grey_vkeller So is this a pity tweet for the sake of your charade? #ouch #feelings



@Grey_VKeller @tightheadthompson Shhhhhh. No talking about the charade in public! #partnersincrime



@tightheadthompson @grey_vkeller people can read, you know #notsubtle #publicforum



@Grey_VKeller @tightheadthompson valid point





@tightheadthompson @grey_vkeller I’m usually always right, but I’ll let this one slide because you’re #cute



@Grey_VKeller @tightheadthompson are you flirting with me, Cal Thompson? #causethatwouldbeawesome



@JemmaGemini @tightheadthompson whoever you are, could you STOP Tweeting @grey_vkeller? We’re trying to be PRODUCTIVE #distraction #meeting #focus



@Grey_VKeller @tightheadthompson I’m getting scolded #momsaysicantplay



@tightheadthompson @grey_vkeller speaking of charades, maybe I should just get your personal info—just to spare you from further public embarrassment #gentleman



@Grey_VKeller @tightheadthompson have your people contact my people @JemmaGemini #giveMasonmyinfo