All the Lies (Lies & Truths Duet #1)(13)

I nod, trying to associate the names to the faces. It’s not working so well in my head.

“He’s right.” Bree’s brows furrow, but I can’t help detecting how fake her concern is. “The girls and boys are right outside. You don’t want them to see you this way, Rei.”

“Maybe she does.” Asher finally speaks after watching from afar like a creep.

I don’t actually believe whatever engagement we have is genuine, so I don’t care that he didn’t come to the hospital with Alex. The least he could do, however, is not throw a pool party while I struggle to move.

I throw him a glare before I address Bree. “I just got home from the hospital. I’d rather get some sleep.”

“Yeah, right. Sure.” She pats my hand with mock sympathy. “Don’t worry about the squad. I’m holding down the fort just fine.”

Uh-huh. Why do I feel like that was supposed to be a jab toward me?

“Sure,” I say anyway.

“Wait.” The one named Owen—who’s still kneeling in front of me—cuts in. “You really remember nothing?”

I nod.

“How about the blowjob you promised me after the last game?”

My eyes snap to Asher. He remains completely still, as if his friend didn’t just suggest I give him a blowjob.

His blank face is a mystery on its own. I don’t know if it’s a lack of reaction or a completely different way of showing it.

Meeting Owen’s gaze, I say, “What do I get out of that promise?”

He pauses, taken aback. “What?”

“I wouldn’t promise to blow you if I wasn’t going to get something out of it.”

Asher smirks while Sebastian laughs.

“Well, fuck, girl.” Owen stands up. “You look like a zombie but your tongue hasn’t changed.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Should it?”

“Maybe.”

“Or maybe not,” I counter.

Asher moves in my peripheral vision and I could almost swear he was about to say something, but he stops.

Another man comes inside from where Elizabeth walked in earlier. He’s tall with mocha skin and curly black hair. He smiles, and unlike any of the four surrounding me, it reaches his eyes. I mirror it, my heart feeling light. For some reason, I feel like I know him.

Really know him.

“Jason,” Elizabeth says with glee. “You’ve come just in time.”

“How you doin’, Reina?” He stops beside me. “So sorry I couldn’t visit. Mom didn’t tell me.”

Elizabeth laughs awkwardly. “He was at camp. You know, it’s the beginning of the season, Miss Reina.”

“It’s okay.” I smile up at both of them. “I’m alive, after all.”

“And apparently with no memories.” Asher’s biting tone comes from my side.

Apparently with no memories.

What is that supposed to mean?

I ignore him and focus on Jason’s kind expression.

“Well, what are you doin’?” Elizabeth ushers him. “Help me get Miss Reina upstairs.”

He moves, but Asher steps in front of him. “I’ll do it.”

I lift a hand. “I want Jason to do it.”

Asher freezes, and although I can’t see his eyes, the tightening of his jaw is enough to relay his displeasure.

Screw him.

He obviously doesn’t care about me. He made it clear he wants to harm me. If he thinks I’ll just sit here and watch, he has another thing coming.

Owen elbows Sebastian, and the latter remains frozen in place.

Bree laughs in a long, squeaky shrill. “Let the help do it, Asher. It’s not worth your time.”

“Yes.” Elizabeth laughs, and it’s obvious she’s trying to make up for the awkward tension in the air. “Jason can do it.”

“He’s not the help,” I hiss at Bree. “When you’re at my house, you respect everyone in it.”

Silence fills the hall. Everyone watches me closely, as if I’ve grown two heads. What? Isn’t that the right thing to say?

Bree releases an awkward laugh before she whispers, “Come on, Rei. You call him the help yourself.”

I…I do?

My fingers turn clammy as my hands strangle each other. No. She’s lying. I’m not snobbish or cruel enough to call him that.

“I’m fine to do it.” Jason advances forward.

Asher blocks his way. They’re similar build-wise, but Asher is taller so he blocks Jason’s expression.

He yanks me from my chair so fast, pain explodes all over my limbs.

My arms go around his neck for balance as my body fits into his arms easily. An unwelcome shiver dances down my spine. “Ever heard of being gentle?”

“Do you deserve gentle?” His hot breath forms goosebumps on the shell of my ear as he murmurs, “Monster?”

“Put me down,” I hiss.

“Only if it’s to throw you in hell, but it’s too early for that.”

I try to escape his brutal hold. One of his arms is around my midsection like a vise, and the other squeezes the bruise on my thigh.

Oh, God. That hurts like a bitch.

“Stay. Fucking. Still.” He enunciates every word with a cold edge.