Beauty from Pain (Beauty, #1)(35)

We’re sitting at the dining room table when she brings it up again. “I want to hear about your girlfriend.”

Everyone around the table stares while they wait on me to answer. I see I’m going to be forced into lying. I’ll try to be as vague as possible. “She’s American.”

I see my mum’s face fall. “She doesn’t live in Australia?”

“No. She’s here on an extended visit with a friend.”

“So she won’t be returning to the States soon?”

“Not for a while.”

That makes my mum smile again. “That’s good. What does she do?”

“She’s a musician—a very good one. That’s how we met … I heard her sing at a club in Wagga Wagga.”

I avoid telling them Paige’s name, but the illusion feels real for a moment, and I like it. I take pleasure in the happiness I see on their faces, but then the guilt sets in. Everything I tell them about her is the truth wrapped in a blanket of lies.





17

Laurelyn Prescott

Addison is out with Zac, and I’m uncomfortable because I see a change in Ben as soon as we get inside the apartment. He’s next to me every time I turn around, brushing against me any chance he gets, sitting next to me on the couch. He’s pursuing me in a much more aggressive manner, and I don’t like it.

I lie and say I need to go to the store for tampons to get away from him. He insists on driving me, but I decline by telling him the walk will help with cramps. How asinine. I’m a terrible liar, but I think the talk of tampons and menstrual cramps keeps him from insisting.

I’m walking around in the drugstore a few blocks from the apartment when Bret begins to sing in my purse. I’m standing in front of a mirror in the makeup aisle when I look up and see the goofy grin on my face as I answer. I didn’t even realize I was smiling. “Hello, caveman.”

“Hey, American girl. How’s it going back in Wagga Wagga?”

He may ask how it’s going, but what he really means is how is it going with Ben, and there’s no way I’m going there. “Everything’s good. Are you having fun with the fam?”

“Not really. I’d be having a lot more fun if I were with you.” No argument here.

“We’ll have plenty of fun when you get back.” And what was the plan after the holidays? Would he keep making the drive into town to get me?

“What are you doing to pass the time without me?”

I laugh because it’s so ridiculous. “I’m strolling around a drugstore.”

“And you’d be doing that because?” He doesn’t give me time to answer. “Did that little bastard do something to you?”

I know the worst thing I can do is tell him about Ben’s behavior, so I lie. “I was bored and wanted to get out for a while, but it’s a bad night to get bored. There’s not much open on Christmas Eve.”

“It’s not safe for you to be out walking the streets alone after dark.”

Shit. He sounds mad. “I’m only a few blocks from the apartment.”

“I don’t care if you’re across the street. I want you to take a cab back.”

“Really, I’m fine.”

“Says the girl right before she gets nabbed by some crazy-ass psycho. I’ll be quite upset with you if you are kidnapped and murdered, so please take a cab back. Got it?”

I smile at his concern for my safety, even if he is a little overbearing. “I will if it’ll make you feel better.”

“Yes, it will make me feel much better. Have you changed your mind about going to your friend’s house for Christmas?”

“No, but that doesn’t mean I’m without plans. I’m going to watch a marathon of Christmas movies and drink lots of eggnog. I’m an only child so I’m used to entertaining me, myself, and I. It’s really not a big deal.”

He’s quiet and I’m not sure he’s buying my story. I hope it’s not the pity thing again. I can’t stand that. “Not a big deal, huh?”

“No, it’s not,” I lie. It is a big deal. Who wants to be alone on Christmas?

“If you say so.”

“I believe I just did.”

“I just wanted to check in for a minute before I got tied up. My brother has solicited my help in putting toys together. Yay.”

He sounds annoyed, but I think it would be fun. “Okay. Well, have fun building dollhouses. Merry Christmas, caveman.”

“Merry Christmas, American girl.”

–––––

Addison and Ben have been gone to Zac’s for hours, so it’s just me, Jimmy Stewart, and a half-emptied carton of eggnog. It’s possible I mixed it with some mighty fine bourbon and garnished with a dash of cinnamon. Christmas is on now.

I hear Bret singing and I’m surprised because Lachlan didn’t mention calling me today. I expected him to be way too busy with his family. “Hey, caveman. This is a pleasant surprise.”

“Well, I hope you still think that a couple of minutes from now.”

Oh, shit. “Is something wrong?” The words aren’t out of my mouth when the door buzzes. “Hang on a second. Someone’s buzzing the door.”