More Than Lies (More Than #1)(119)

Shane did the same thing, but he didn’t transfer to Florida. Instead, he was able to transfer to a hospital in Memphis where he’ll finish out his last year of residency before starting his fellowship in Pediatric Cardiology. He moved to Tennessee within a few weeks of Kylie moving to Florida. All was great until . . .

“With that faraway look you have going on I take it Matt finally told you.”

I look up to see my boyfriend standing just inside the door to our bedroom staring at me. From the looks of it, I’d say he has just returned from a vigorous workout at the gym. Shawn is sweaty from head to toe. Deliciously so, and damn if it isn’t making me smile.

I didn’t hear him walk in, much less close the door and start to remove his clothes. I glance in the direction of his discarded clothes and then back toward Shawn before raising an eyebrow. He knows damn well I can’t stand any type of mess. Clothes not put in their proper place might as well equal chaos in my world.

“I hope you’re planning on picking that up.” He smirks and starts sauntering my way where I’m sitting on the edge of our bed. Well, it’s really his bed. When we decided to take the leap and combine rooms, Shawn had to have his Tempur-Pedic, saying it is like sleeping on a cloud in heaven. I couldn’t disagree with him on that, so mine got moved into his old room.

He dips in front of me to plant a salty kiss on my lips. My eyes flutter closed as they always do when his mouth is pressed against any part of my body. I can’t help it; it’s a reflex. Shawn’s touch is my own piece of heaven, and I will savor every second I’m given with him. He grabs my boobs, but I swat his pawing hand away from my breasts. Shawn is a freakin’ groper and a half. In other words, he’s a boob man, not that I complain a lot. It tends to pay off to my benefit more often than not, but I suddenly recall what he said a few minutes ago.

“What did you mean when you said, Matt finally told me? Told me what?”

His eyes grow large like he’s been caught doing something he shouldn’t have.

“Umm, nothing. Going to shower babe.”

“I don’t think so.” I grasp him by his biceps, wrapping my fingers around tightly, telling him he isn’t going anywhere just yet. “Spill it, Braden.”

“Shit.” He pulls backwards causing me to lose my grip. “You’re going to have to ask him that.”

“So he’s keeping something from me, you know what it is, and won’t tell me? Am I hearing you correctly?”

“Don’t get pissed at me. It’s not my place to tell you. It’s his. It’s ticking me off that the motherfucker hasn’t grown the balls to spit it out yet. Why don’t you do both of yourselves a favor, and go downstairs and make him spill the beans?”

“I think I will. You shower—and hurry it up, because I don’t plan on wasting a Saturday that you don’t have to go into work.” Shawn’s lips turn up into a self-assured smirk.

“Are you trying to tell me my girl needs some of this dick?” He grabs his junk that’s practically eye level with me. “I thought I gave you enough of it last night to sustain you.” I don’t think that I’ll ever get enough sex from the man standing in front of me to ever sate my need for him. I don’t dare speak that. Shawn doesn’t need any more arrogance in that department.

“Just go shower already.” I stand. Apparently my best friend has been keeping something from me, and I aim to find out what that something is. Matt and I have finally fallen back into the friendship we had in high school, so it’s bothering me to know he’s not telling me something.

Shawn turns, walking in the direction of the master bath without another word. I exit the room seconds later.

After I make it down the stairs, I hear conversation coming from the living room. I start there, finding Matt and Mason yelling at the TV screen. Rolling my head, I see it’s a college football game. Since it’s January, it has to be a recording of a game that has already aired. Knowing that they can pause and rewind, I walk over to them and stand directly in front of the television, demanding their attention. My eyes lock onto Matt.

“What secret are you keeping from me?”

“What?” Matt’s eyes practically bug out as he turns to look at me. “Shawn fucking told you, didn’t he?” His shock turns to anger.

“He let it slip thinking you’d already told me. But he didn’t actually tell me what it is that you’re hiding from me.” When he doesn’t speak, I huff out a breath of air in frustration. “Well?”

“I was offered a job.” He sits back into the sofa, leaning his head back. This isn’t making a bit of sense. This is great news. Matt’s been freelancing editing jobs since we graduated.

“So what gives? Why are you keeping that from me? This is awesome, Matt! Don’t you know I’d be happy for you? Ecstatic, even.”

“It’s in California.”

Say what? Okay, I don’t mean to, but I know my happy face just fell flat on the floor and he knows it, too.

“This is why I haven’t told you. I didn’t know how to tell you that I’m leaving Mississippi.”

“So you accepted the offer, then?”

“Yes. It’s Lockhart Publishing. I couldn’t turn it down, Taralynn.”

Shit. Even I know that’s an amazing opportunity. “So when do you leave? Oh, my God! You’re moving away from me.” Yes, as I asked him the question, it hit me like a freight train. He’s leaving, and I won’t be able to drive over when I want my Matty time.