Fat Cat Liar

I help her slide down my body, and when her feet are on the ground, I tuck her to my side.

“This is my brother, Clay,” I half-heartedly introduce them.

“Oh my God, hi!” She squirms away and moves fast, hugging him warmly.

When she steps back, he has the decency to try to hide his confusion.

“I’m Greer Palmer, it’s nice to meet you. Lawson has told me a lot about you.”

He snaps his eyes to mine as realization washes over him. I jerk my head, narrowing my eyes in warning.

“Don’t fucking say anything,” I communicate silently.

“Nice to meet you, too, Greer.” He forces a smile.

“Did I interrupt something?” She twists between us, her excitement fading.

“No, babe, Clay followed me home after the gym. He wanted to see the new place.”

“Oh, okay.”

“Yeah, it was time I checked out the new place,” he tells her with a sarcasm I pick up on instantly.

“I’ve been dying to meet you, but Lawson explained how busy you are.”

He places his hands on his hips, moving his eyes back to me. “Busy, huh? Maybe it was my brother’s way of hiding his pretty new girlfriend.”

“I told you he’d try to whisk you away.”

Greer laughs, coming to me and folding back into my side. “You’re ridiculous.”

“I’m entranced. Not taking my chances with anyone, including my own brother.”

“You have nothing to worry about.” She lifts up and kisses my cheek. “I wish I knew Clay was here. I’d have come home sooner.”

At the word home, Clay goes pale.

“Greer lives across the hall,” I clarify.

“Yes, that’s how we met. He had a hard time getting his furniture through the door,” she says in a hushed voice. “He needed a little help.”

Clay flinches, his eyes going to the door and then landing on me. The vein in his forehead pulses as he rolls his bottom lip through his teeth.

“Are you all packed?” I change the subject, hoping she can’t see the rage brewing inside him.

“I have a few more things to throw in my bag. Then we can leave.”

“Where are you guys headed?” Clay asks.

“We’re going camping,” Greer chirps, bouncing against me. “It’s an annual trip with my friends.”

“You’re going camping?” Clay’s patience is wearing thin. I can sense the impending eruption.

“We need to get going in about thirty minutes.” I brush my lips along her temple. “Enrique sent me a text earlier about getting in a hike.”

“He messaged me, too.” She scowls, glancing to Clay. “I hate to meet and run, but I need to do a few things before we leave. Maybe we can do dinner sometime.”

“Dinner sounds good.”