Tell Me Pretty Lies

“Saved me?” I snort, incredulous. “Or was it just a part of your grand scheme to get close to me?” I use air quotes to drive my point home, but Thayer doesn’t react like I thought he would. He doesn’t seem like he’s been caught. I push to my feet, closing the distance between us. “It wasn’t real, was it?”

“What wasn’t?”

“Any of it. You fixing my car. Giving me the key to the barn. Holden,” I tick off. “You made him pretend to be my friend. And for what?” What did he hope to accomplish?

“I told him to watch you,” he clarifies. “Big deal.”

“Like that’s so much better.”

“I’m not sorry, Shayne.”

“Of course you’re not.”

“I needed to know if I could trust you.”

“And?” I ask, raising an eyebrow, challenging.

“Jury’s still out.”

“Great talk. Don’t you have to get back to Lissa?” I realize my mistake the moment the words leave my lips. Thayer scrapes his teeth across his bottom lip, capturing his piercing.

“Now look who’s jealous,” he accuses, moving in on me.

“Just an observation.”

He hooks a finger underneath the strap on my shoulder, sliding it back and forth under the thin material, teasing. I slap his hand away, not wanting him to see how he affects me, even when he’s acting like an irrational, unbearable asshole.

Pounding at the door has both our heads snapping toward the sound. “Shayne, are you okay?” Valen’s voice calls out, a mixture of irritation and worry.

“Make her leave,” he says, low enough so only I can hear.

“Why should I?”

“Because this doesn’t involve her.”

“What is this?” I ask. I feel like everyone around me is in on something I’m not.

“You have questions?”

I nod.

“Get rid of her and I’ll tell you what you need to know.”

“She didn’t drive here. We walked from my house. I’m not letting her leave alone.”

“We’ll get her home safe.”

“You’ll answer my questions?”

“I said I’ll tell you what you need to know.”

I purse my lips, looking into his stormy eyes. “No deal.”

Valen pounds again. “I’m two seconds from calling the police.”

“No, she’s not!” Holden yells, amusement clear in his voice.

“Give that back!”