More Than Lies (More Than #1)(26)

I’m not even sleeping with Jared any more. Not that I’ve told Jared that, and frankly I’m avoiding that conversation. I wish I liked him the way I like Shawn, but I don’t. Jared knows what to say to make me feel wanted, and even beautiful. He’s nice to look at, and he’s good in bed, but that’s where it ends. I don’t feel anything more when I’m with him, and I want more. I just wish I didn’t want more with the person who doesn’t want anything from me. That was said loud and clear a few moments ago. Not that I didn’t already know it, because I did, but it still hurts to hear it said from his mouth.

Maybe I should forgo men altogether and jump on the chick bandwagon. They have to be easier.

In one sentence Shawn declares I’m nothing to him. In the next, he has an issue with Mason wanting me. Now that’s something entirely different; what’s up with Mason?

The truck comes to a stop. I look up to see that Shawn has parked in my brother’s driveway.

Thank heavens! After this drive, I need a drink! Then again, maybe that’s not why I need a shot of tequila. You should shoot to feel, to experience, and to remember not to forget. I needed this dose of reality. Shawn and I will never be. When will I get that through my head?

I pack my laptop away, storing it into my over-sized Coach purse. There is one plus side to my mother; she buys me designer things. I know it’s really for her benefit, but her desire to see me with nice things works in my favor, so why should I complain? And the best part is the bag is purple. Nothing makes me happier than the color purple.

Shawn and Mason both open their doors at the same time. I pull my purse onto my shoulder and slide into my boots. I open my door and slide out landing down onto the pavement and into my Tony Lama’s more snuggly.

I shut the door and look up to see Shawn standing in front of me with his tattooed arm rose above his head and the palm of his hand clamped onto his neck. He’s looking down at me as if remorseful. His shades are sitting on top of his head, so his golden-brown eyes are peering into mine. I look away and move to step around him, but Shawn reaches out with his other hand, placing it on my side to stop me from leaving.

I want to close my eyes so that I can fully take in the feeling of his touch. I don’t. I have to stop this one way or another. I can’t continue having these feelings for him.

“Tara.” The sound of his voice makes this situation worse. I pray Kylie bought enough tequila for the weekend.

“I want to go see my brother, now.” I push his hand away from my body and walk off. Shawn doesn’t stop me again. He is so confusing. Why does he care? If what he said was the way he feels, it shouldn’t matter.

I walk in the front door, not bothering to knock. To some that may seem rude, this is our family. The door is always open. Too bad that doesn’t apply to the home I grew up in.

Walking through the living room area and into the kitchen, I set my purse down on the counter that is covered with full grocery bags. Kylie must have just returned from the store. I look through the kitchen window that is directly above the sink and see my brother and his friends outside by the pool. I smile at the sight, taking a breath in through my nose to allow the last few minutes of the drive to dissolve.

I’m done wanting something I can’t have. I’m going to stick to that plan and get myself over Shawn this weekend one way or another.

I walk out into the back yard. Trent and Kylie are standing off to the side of the pool. Kylie has her hands planted onto her hips, looking up at Trent. Compared to me, Kylie is little. She is tiny in every way. Shane is nowhere in sight, but there are a couple of my brother’s friends milling about. I notice Shawn and Mase enter through the side gate the same time I step off the concrete steps leading into the backyard. Well, it’s not exactly a backyard, since there’s no grass or real yard, only pool.

Trent’s back is to me, so I step lightly trying to make the least amount of sound as possible so I can surprise him before anyone notices the three of us. Kylie sees me coming, but I don’t think she has said anything to Trent. I increase my speed to a jog afraid he’ll turn around. As I near my brother I leap, jumping onto his back.

“Surprise!” I yell as I wrap my arms around his front. Trent steps forward which forces Kylie to take a few steps backwards. Trent turns his head to look back at me from over his shoulder.

“It’s not a surprise when I knew you were coming, brat.” Trent’s called me ‘brat’ for as long as I can remember. He means it as a joke and always says it in an affectionate way.

“Shut your face and tell me that you missed me.” I cross my arms around the front of his neck and squeeze.

“Oh, I missed you, all right.” My brother lets out a quick chuckle before his lips spread into a grin. When his eyes widen, I know I’m in trouble. His hands latch onto the skin behind my knees, digging in so that I can’t get away.

Oh, crap!

“Trent!” I warn, knowing what’s coming and there isn’t a chance in hell I’ll be able to stop him. Doesn’t mean I won’t try. “My boots can’t go in water!” He doesn’t listen and probably doesn’t care either because our mother still buys him everything he’s ever wanted. The cost of clothes and shoes doesn’t faze him one bit.

“Too late for that,” Trent laughs.

I don’t have a chance to protest further because he takes a few steps toward the water and then launches us into the deep end of the pool. The warm water envelops my body within seconds. Normally, this is a wonderful feeling, but not when I know my favorite cowboy boots are in the process of being ruined.