White Lies (A Twisted Fate 1)

A megawatt grin spread across his face. “I know just the thing.”

“What?”

He shook his head. “Not ready to divulge yet.”

Oh geez, here we go again. Thank goodness my phone chirped with a text message, distracting me. I hated when he baited me.

Marissa: Have you guys landed?

“It’s, Marissa.”

He deadpanned. “Ask her to change the house.”

“Nope. It’ll be fun to watch you suffer some or get my bribe.”

Singsonging, he responded, “Payback’s a bitch.”

“Yes. Yes, it is. I think I’m paying you back for the time you put food coloring in my toothpaste in college.”

Now, it was Carson’s time to laugh. Ass.

The pilot came on the intercom asking for Carson. I took the time to respond to Marissa.

Me: Yes. We’re about to get in the car and head that way.

Marissa: Yay! I’m jumping around like crazy. Hurry your ass along.

Me: We will. Can’t wait to see everyone.

Faintly, I heard Carson talking to the captain. I took out my burner phone from Tack, figuring I had a minute or two.

Me: We’re in Martha’s Vineyard about to head to the house.

Tack: Be careful.

Me: You, too.

Tack and I hadn’t talked since the other day when I came home from the beach house. We’d texted, but that was it. I wasn’t sure what I thought about the whole “Tack” thing. On the one hand, I looked forward to talking to him again. On the other, I’d become comfortable with him faster than I’d anticipated. If Tack wanted to hurt me, he had the opportunity. I hoped trusting my feelings turned out to be the correct choice.

I gathered my things and met Carson in the main area of the plane. Today he was casual in his shorts, Sperry’s, and Polo shirt. “Are you ready? The luggage has been loaded in the car.”

“Yes.”

After thanking the captain, we got off the plane. A nice shiny red sports car waited for us. As soon as we left the tarmac, his phone rang.

“Whitmore… yes… that’s unacceptable, Beatrice… you know my expectations…”

Carson always answered his phone with his last name. It sounded more… intimidating, with his raspy booming voice. Tuning out all the business talk, I watched out the window as we passed through the area. I loved how green it was. From the airport, we were about an hour away from the tip of the island where we were staying. The hum of the engine had me nodding off again.

Tapping on the window caused Carson to curse and me to jolt awake. Rosie was peering in my window. “Willow! Oh my gosh! Willow! It’s you!” Then screeching. “Carson! You came! My day is made!”

I was not prepared for her as I woke up, blinking my eyes a few times. A white two-story house with burgundy shutters sat to the left of the driveway.

More banging. “Hurry and get out! I need to see you!”

This. Was. Too. Much.

Carson muttered, “This was your idea.”

It had been a bad idea. I should have asked for another house.

The window still hadn’t been rolled down, and my eardrums were about to rupture. I chanced a sideways glance over at Carson, and he was tense as he muttered, “Fucking, Rosie.”

Jumping like a jack rabbit, she rounded the hood.

“Oh, shit! Willow, you better save my ass.”

A giggle escaped. I saw my opportunity and got out of the car. Before shutting the door, I winked. “I think you’ve got this, macho man. You reduce scary businesspeople to puddles of nothing in a boardroom. You can handle her.”

I heard him calling after me through the window. Marissa engulfed me in a hug. “I missed you, Willow. I’m so excited you’re here. Everyone is. It’s good to see you.”

A part of my broken heart mended as I pulled back to look at my friend. “It’s good to be seen. Congratulations!” I looked over to Clay. “You’ve got yourself a fantastic girl.”

My friend’s brown eyes sparkled with love as Clay swept aside some of her dark hair and kissed her cheek. Her skin glowed.

“I know. I’m damn lucky to have her.”

Carson joined us and glared at me while I gave him an oh-so-sweet smile. Rosie was staring up at him all googly-eyed on his other side. It was no surprise she remained single with her obnoxious compulsive tendencies. She was adorable with her five-foot petite frame. Her blue eyes were expressive as she looked at Carson with longing.

Everyone exchanged pleasantries. I felt alive. Marissa and Clay had rented out five houses next to each other. Her family owned the global Cream Factory ice cream chain. Yesterday, I’d offered to pay for our house. So had Carson. Of course, she’d declined.

Entering the house, we found more friends who greeted us. With Carson’s hectic schedule lately, he’d been around as much as I’d been over the last six months. This trip was good for both of us.

The house was cute, with two bedrooms upstairs and three bedrooms downstairs. Rosie was upstairs, which meant Carson would be downstairs. Taking my bag, I headed for the stairs and gave Carson a cheesy grin. He knew what I was doing.

Rosie called from above, “Carson, where are you sleeping?”

Everyone giggled as Carson made a run for me. In one fell swoop, he scooped me up and grabbed my suitcase. I was in hysterics as he all but shoved me into the room next to his, fearing Rosie would relocate. Kurt and Brie were in the other room down here.

Rosie was still calling Carson’s name. Carson stood in my doorway, panic filling his eyes. I was a terrible friend, but I loved torturing him sometimes. And like Carson wouldn’t do the exact same thing if given the chance.

I playfully whispered, “I’m going to offer to switch rooms.”

“Oh, Carson. Where are you?” Rosie’s voice sounded so… scary.

This was more therapeutic than I ever imagined, giving me a reprieve from my new reality. It had been a great idea to get away. My focus now was to create as many positive moments as possible to replace the bad and distance myself from the loss.

He shuddered. “I’ll give you an all-expense-paid trip to Italy if you’ll be my wingman.”

Not hesitating, I stuck my hand out and he took it. “Deal. I

think this is your best bribe yet. Even better than the spa day.”

I beamed, and Carson gave me the evil eyes as Rosie appeared. “There you are. There’s a room next to mine if you want to stay there.”

Carson mouthed the word Italy knowing Rosie wouldn’t listen to a word he said.

“Oh, that’s sweet, Rosie. Carson and I already picked rooms down here. He’s helping me with some estate stuff. It’ll be easier if we’re closer.”

Disappointment filled her face when Kurt called from the front. “Rosie, we’re headed to the store. Do you still want to come?”

“Yes!” Sashaying up to Carson, she fluttered her eyebrows. “I’ll be back before you know it. Leave your bedroom unlocked if you want me to come in.” She turned without a word. No doubt… Rosie was a weird chick.

Carson breathed a sigh of relief. “Thanks, wingman. She is off her rocker. I hope to hell these doors have deadbolts.”

“Anytime. I think I’d like to sketch a sunset of the Duomo from a rooftop.”

He chuckled. “Sure thing. This trip is going to cost me a small country.”

“Well… there’s always sleeping in the room next to Rosie’s.”

He shut the door on another muttered curse. I couldn’t stop giggling as I unpacked alone. Even without the bribe I would have helped him, but it was fun to playfully blackmail my friend. And now I was going to Italy for free.

Reading in the chair near the bedroom window, my door burst open and quickly closed behind Carson. He was slightly out of breath. Clicking the lock, he leaned against the door and closed his eyes. “I’m going to hire a bodyguard before this weekend is over.”

“What’s going on?”

“Rosie.”

I whispered, “Did you forget to lock your door?” To keep from laughing, I mashed my lips together. He was obviously in distress. A knock sounded and Carson’s eyes grew wide.

“Willow?”

The sweet feisty redheaded Rosie sounded so innocent. “Yes?”

Carson tiptoed to me.

“Have you seen Carson? I saw him come into the house, but then lost him. I wanted to show him something I bought him at the store.”