The Lies That Define Us (Us 2)

Ari didn’t turn away from the stove as I took a seat at the table. I hadn’t seen her since the night before and it didn’t look like she wanted to make conversation.

Ollie came busting inside and bent to kiss Talia.

“Don’t kiss him, he just threw up,” I warned her.

“Cock-blocker,” Ollie muttered when Talia ducked away from his lips.

I laughed. “Does it count as cock-blocking when you weren’t about to get any anyway?”

Ollie mumbled unintelligibly under his breath and took the empty seat beside Talia.

“What are you ladies up to, today?” I questioned Rebecca and Talia.

“Shopping.” Rebecca clapped her hands together. Shopping didn’t sound one bit appealing to me, but I guessed most girls loved it. “Ari finally agreed to go with me to the mall, so we’re doing that. Talia’s going too.”

“You’re leaving me, babe?” Ollie pouted.

Talia poked his puckered lip. “I think you’ll live.”

His head lowered, crestfallen.

“Breakfast is served,” Ari chimed, setting down dishes with eggs, toast, and bacon.

She went back for a stack of plates and utensils and set them down on the table. She took the empty seat beside Rebecca, away from me. Her choice in seat didn’t go unnoticed by me, or anyone else.

Ollie made a big show of rolling his head around before his eyes landed on me. “What did you do to piss off the pretty lady, Wade?”

“Nothing.” I shrugged. “I’m a perfect fucking angel.”

Ollie snorted. “Right? And my name is Christina Aguilera, and I’m a genie in a bottle.”

The table went silent and within seconds we all broke out into laughter.

Talia buried her face into the crook of Ollie’s arm but quickly pulled away with a cry of, “Ew, you stink!” Which only made us laugh harder.

“What are you doing today, Liam? Would you want to go with us?” Rebecca asked with a sly smile, eyeing Ari. She wasn’t oblivious to our situation, and if there was strife, it looked like she was going to try her best to push us back together.

“I have training,” I replied, scooping some eggs onto my plate. After I had breakfast, I was meeting up with Brady and Jeremiah and getting out in the water. I needed to clock some serious surf time in the next two weeks.

“Oh, that’s right!” She snapped her fingers together. “I think I read about you qualifying for some big tournament or something in a magazine. You know, since you never come by Mo’s anymore and talk to any of us.”

I mock-winced. “Sorry, Rebecca.”

“Mhm,” she hummed. “I’m sure you’re all torn up about it.”

I cracked a smile and finished adding things to my plate. “Devastated, I assure you.”

I grew quiet as I ate while the others chatted, but I did steal glances at Ari every now and then.

I was determined to find out what she was hiding.

I would, eventually, I knew, but when I did, would it change everything?

Ari

“This would look great on you.” Rebecca held up a floral printed dress, laughing maniacally.

I wrinkled my nose in disgust. “Yeah, no thanks. Why don’t you get it?”