Fat Cat Liar

I tilt my face to his, my chest tight at the mention of marriage. “Lawson, we can’t get married because of the baby.”

“No, that’s why I asked you before I gave you the gift. This is no game I’m playing. I want you to know, baby or no baby, we’re getting married.”

“I can’t think about that right now. There’s still so much to work through.”

“We’ll work through it together. My objectives haven’t changed, Greer. I’m never giving up. One of these days you’ll cave.”

“You’re pretty sure of yourself.”

His lips twitch until he can’t hold in his grin. “I’ll wear you down eventually. You can’t say no forever.”

My stubborn streak rears its head, and I know he’s throwing down a challenge. “We’ll see.”

“Every day, Greer, I’m going to ask you every day until you say yes.”

•8•8•

Jarod and Clay divert their eyes when I enter the living room, turning their attention to the game on TV.

“Where’s Lawson?”

“Last I knew, he was headed to the shower,” Clay answers, keeping his eyes on the screen.

“What are we watching?” I purposely walk in front of them to the corner bar and pour myself a glass of water.

“College bowls are on today.” Jarod shifts uncomfortably in his seat, refusing to make eye contact.

“Who’s playing?” I sip my water and move to stand in their line of sight.

“Let me check the schedule,” Clay rumbles, pulling his phone out.

Jarod watches over my shoulder, fidgeting nervously.

Clay reads off the schedule of games for the day, staring at his phone intensely.

I rack my brain, trying to figure out a way to make them look at me. An idea comes to mind, and I set my glass down and go to the armchair in the corner of the room. The second I start to scoot it, Jarod is at my side.

“Where would you like this?”

“Can you put it in front of the tree?”

He does as I ask, looking at me curiously. His face pales when I climb up and start to rearrange the ornaments unnecessarily.

“Greer, maybe I should do that for you.” He offers to help me down.

“Don’t be silly, I’ll just swap these around.” I bend way out of my reach and sway dramatically.

“Greer!” Clay’s arms encircle my waist, and he plants me on the floor, stumbling a bit.

Both men are sickly white, and I burst into laughter, holding my stomach.

“Baby, are you fucking with them?” Lawson struts

in with my dad close behind.

“I couldn’t stop myself. The temptation was too great,” I respond.

He comes straight to me, pulling my back to his front and settling his hands on my stomach. “Even if they didn’t already know, this sweater would have given you away,” he says to me, but loud enough for everyone to hear.