Lies We Tell (Thistle Cove 3)

“Yeah, I’m getting that vibe, too.”

“What do you want to do?”

“I’ll keep an eye on him,” I say, as a group of girls flock over to him and the punch bowl. Ezra Baxter is going to need a chaperone tonight.

“Don’t let him drive.”

“I won’t.” I give him a tight smile. “Go, I’ll deal with this.”

His fingers tug at mine. “I’ll go play pool with Finn. Let me know if you need help.”

I’m not sure what Ezra Baxter is up to, but there’s no way in hell I’m letting him out of my sight.

18

Ezra

“It’s been a while.”

I look up and see Maggie Feeney, junior and former hookup of mine, reaching for a red plastic cup.

“Mags,” I say, forcing a grin. “It has been a while.”

“I thought maybe you really went choir boy on me. Just a phase?”

I fill up her cup and then two more. “My old man wanted a football star, so I obliged.”

“Well, if you ever want to revisit old times, let me know.” Her hand moves to my bicep. I don’t feel it though. The only sensation I have is two blue eyes from across the room pinning me down like lasers.

Tonight isn’t going to be fun.

“It’s the end of the year, Maggie. I’m looking ahead, not behind.”

“Too bad, I kind of like it from behind.”

I smirk and take a drink, hiding my absolute disinterest. I have one goal tonight and that’s to break a heart. Not Maggie’s.

I feel a hard yank on the back of my shirt and look behind me.

“Kenley Keene,” I say. “Want a drink?”

“No, I don’t want a drink.”

I shrug and take another gulp. It burns on the way down. “You should try it, it’s good.”

Her eyes dart over to Maggie, who is watching the whole scene like it’s a soap opera. “We need to talk. In private.”

“Sorry, babe, unless ‘talk’ is code for something else, no thanks.”

Her jaw drops, and I see a lick of fire in her eyes. Jesus, she’s so damned beautiful. I don’t want to hurt her, but if I’ve learned anything the last week it’s that the Baxter men hurt women. It’s better to take care of this now rather than later.

Kenley, of course, has other plans. She grabs me by my arm, sloshing punch all over the floor, and drags me down the hall to a quiet corner. I don’t miss Ozzy and Finn watching from across the building.

“I know you’ve had a hard week, Ez, but talking to me like—"

“Stop,” I say, holding up my hand. “You’re the one that wanted me to come to this party. Now that I’m here and socializing, you’re upset?”

She looks me up and down, hurt and confusion in her eyes. “What’s wrong with you?”