Page 18 of Whisper Pretty Lies (Lust & Liars #1)

EvanAnn

“EvanAnn!” Chase’s father reaches his hands out to take mine. “How wonderful that you could take time out of your busy schedule to come see us.”

I smile and take his hand, while Chase holds my other. “Mr. Chadwick, thank you for having me over for dinner.”

His grin grows as he releases my hand. “Please, call me Tom. Jess is on her way. We can wait for her in the sitting room.”

I smooth my hand over my summer dress. It’s a little worn because it’s a favorite, but it’s nicer than jeans and a t-shirt. I always feel like I need to dress up when I have dinner with Chase’s parents.

Chase and I follow him into the sitting room. Unlike Damon’s house that’s covered in cold marble, Chase’s house is full of rich wood paneling and comfortable-looking furniture. It puts me at ease.

“Have a seat.” Tom sits on a chair and gestures to the loveseat. Before Chase sits, Tom adds, “Why don’t you go grab a drink for your lovely girlfriend?”

Chase squeezes my hand before he heads out of the room.

Tom smiles and leans back in his chair. “So how has the first week back to school been? Are you ready for the auditions tomorrow for Othello ?”

There’s something easy about Chase’s parents. Yes, they’re ridiculously wealthy, but they seem genuinely interested in what I’m doing. Like they actually care about me.

“Classes seem reasonable. My calculus class is going to be a challenge and we’re reading Shakespeare in English Lit to start. I’m excited to finally choose actors for my cast.”

Chase walks back in with two glasses of soda. “I’m hoping I’m the best for Iago. I’ve been working on my audition piece.”

Tom’s smile grows. “If you’re the best, then I’m sure EvanAnn will cast you. She knows when she has a good thing.”

Chase hands me my drink and sits next to me.

My cheeks flush at Tom’s praise. Chase has been good to help me break out of my shell a little more.

To help me be a little more confident with people my age, like Mia.

I don’t know if I would have been bold enough to try to make friends with her before Chase chose me to be his girlfriend.

“EvanAnn even made a new friend at the beginning of school.” Chase takes my hand and threads our fingers together on his thigh. “New girl. Of course, EvanAnn wanted to take her under her wing.”

“She must be a pretty lucky girl to find a friend like you.” Tom stands as Jess comes in.

When I start to get up to greet her, Tom motions for me to sit. “Don’t get up. We’ll talk in here a little longer while they set the table next to the pool for dinner.”

Chase invited me to come use the pool over the summer. I was able to make it over once. It was nice and relaxing. His parents were here then, so I didn’t have to restate my boundaries to Chase.

“I’m so glad you were able to join us.” Jess sits next to Tom.

“How could I resist, when you always have the best meals?” I say. Chase’s parents are wealthy, but they don’t look down on me.

We talk for a little while longer before someone comes in to say that the meal is served. When we stand, Chase takes my hand to lead me out to the table and even pulls out my chair.

I touch his hand lightly as he joins me. The conversation starts with school and the play, but then shifts to Tom’s upcoming birthday party.

“I can’t wait to introduce you to Sandra Cox.” Tom sets his wine glass down.

My heart picks up pace. He can’t mean... “The director?”

Tom glances at Jess as if he wanted it to be a surprise. “Yes, she’s a dear friend and I want to introduce you to her. She’s always looking for bright young minds to mentor, and I think you would be the perfect fit.”

I’m literally speechless. My teachers do what they can to help me get connections for college, but Sandra Cox is in the industry. Having her as a mentor could open doors that would otherwise be closed to me.

Chase covers my hand on the table. “She’s beyond thrilled.”

Jess chuckles a little.

“Yes,” I finally get out. “She’s one of my favorite directors.”

Tom grins. “Good. It should be a great party then.”

I glance at Chase and he gives me a smile. I can’t believe this is happening. Everything I’ve done has been to grow within my field. And Sandra Cox is someone I never thought I’d meet until I had a career, let alone be introduced to.

Cam

“Hey, man.” I grab my teammate Fletcher’s hand and we do our handshake as he holds the door to his house open for me.

“Where’s your entourage?” Fletcher looks behind me into the dark night. It’s only my bike parked out there with the cars.

“Riding solo tonight.” It’s Wednesday night. The others are busy.

“Nice.” Fletcher bobs his head up and down.

He steps back and I walk into the house. He leads me down to the pool where there are about twenty other teens hanging out. It’s a school night, and most students at Deimos can’t afford to skip the work required to get good grades.

“Cooler’s over there. Bathroom’s on the first floor. No using the bedrooms.” Fletcher winks.

I nod. “Just looking to chill tonight.”

My dad’s been on a tear about my grades. How do I expect to attend Yale with grades like mine? I can’t tell him Yale’s not my priority. It’s his. Instead, I took off. Hawk has homework and Damon has extra strength training tonight, so I’m on my own.

Fletcher grabs a beer out of the cooler and hands it to me. I thank him and head toward a handful of teammates where they’re spread out around the fire pit. It’s a great angle to watch the girls in the pool from.

“You good, Cam?” Liam asks as I take a seat.

“Yeah. You?”

Liam smirks. “Been eying the candy and hoping to get a piece tonight.”

His gaze strays to the pool which is filled with mostly girls in bikinis. But not the one that’s been on my fucking mind. I don’t know if it was Damon putting it into my head, but now that we’re going after EvanAnn, I’m all in.

Tonight I needed somewhere to relax and to not argue about my future and the poor choices I’m making.

If I wanted a piece, I’m sure there would be a willing chick, but I’m going to hold out for the main event with EvanAnn.

After all, I’ve already messed around with most of these girls. Fucked a few of them.

“You got one picked out?” I ask, taking a pull from the bottle. It’s cold, refreshing, and exactly what I need. I might not have my future all plotted out like Damon or Hawk, but I also don’t have to miss out on shit like this. Relaxing and hanging out with my friends.

Fletcher takes a seat and scoffs. “He was going after Bristol, but Chadwick beat him to it.”

“Fucking Chadwick.” Liam shakes his head.

“Chase?” I ask, sitting up and looking over the couples making out on the couch. Not that there’s another Chadwick in the school. Is that fucker cheating on his girlfriend? Or did they already break up?

Because if it’s the first one, I’ll make sure EvanAnn finds out and blows him up. Then I’ll offer to be her revenge sex because there’s nothing hotter than revenge sex. And if they already broke up, I’m going to lobby the others to accelerate our plan. Because this is fucking dragging.

“Yeah.” Fletcher points to where Bristol straddles Chase. Her long, manicured fingernails poke out of his hair as she grinds on him while they mouthfuck.

“You didn’t offer them a room?” I ask and sit back.

This makes things interesting. I’d take a pic to send the others, but it’s kind of a code not to take pics at parties.

There are too many future senators and judges in this school.

Everyone wants to let their hair down and not regret it later in life.

“And miss the show?” Fletcher laughs and I hold my beer to him. He taps his against mine and we both take a drink.

Chase fumbles between them for a moment and Bristol lifts before sinking down. Her skirt covers them enough, but it’s obvious what they’re doing. Fuck, it’s free porn. Much better than arguing about how I’ll be an embarrassment to the family if I go to a state school.

“The guy has a type.” Liam leans forward. “Blonds. What’s the name of the girl he hangs out with at school? The cute nerdy girl?”

“EvanAnn.” Her name slips from my lips, but I watch Liam. Is he looking to make a play for her? He called her cute.

He snaps his fingers. “That’s right. She’s got a tight little body. I bet she’s a fucking wildcat in the sack. It’s always the quiet ones who surprise you.”

“I doubt he’s seeing much action from her though.” Fletcher leans back and adjusts his cock. His eyes never leave Bristol and Chase, fucking on the couch.

“How do you figure?” I ask.

“Chase spends most of his time at parties without her. He only brings her around once in a while.” Fletcher shakes his head. “But he’s always goofing off with his friends instead of paying attention to her. And anytime he’s at a party without her, he’s getting his dick wet by some other girl.”

What a fucker. I was all for getting revenge by taking EvanAnn away from him, but now it’s my mission to make him regret being a dick to her behind her back. Maybe I’ll have her ride my cock at a party where he can watch what he can no longer have.

I stop paying attention to them fucking and get my phone out.

Me:

He’s still a manwhore

Hawk:

What the fuck are you talking about?

Me:

Chase. He’s fucking Bristol right in front of me

Damon:

Take a pic

Me:

That’s a fucking party foul

Hawk:

Don’t make it obvious

Fuck. I flick over to camera and start recording. I lift my phone enough to get Chase and Bristol in the shot before stopping and changing back to the text messages.

Me:

Did my best

Damon:

Good

Me:

She there?

Damon:

Fuck yeah. She’s always here

I close out and slide my phone into my pocket. EvanAnn’s mom. She spends most evenings at Damon’s, even though that leaves EvanAnn all alone in that house. I know her prick of a boyfriend isn’t over there keeping her company. Which, what the fuck, man.

He could be over there without an audience, having her give him everything he needs. I don’t understand this asshole.

“They coming out?” Fletcher asks.

I shake my head. “Nah.”

I hang out for an hour before I get tired of watching others fuck and talking shit about people and sports. When I get on my bike and strap on my helmet, I don’t want to go home.

Fuck it.

I ride over to EvanAnn’s house. Her mom’s car still isn’t here. I park and lift my helmet off. Her light is on up in her room that smells like her. Nothing quite smells like EvanAnn. How can that asshole have access to her and fuck someone else?

The steps to her porch creak beneath my feet. This place isn’t great, but the neighborhood is okay. I ring the doorbell and run my hand through my hair. I have no fucking clue what I’m doing.

Part of me needed to see her, so I’m here. I could stand outside like a creeper and wait for her to step in front of her window, or I could fucking knock on the door like a normal person.

She opens the door and her blue eyes widen when she sees it’s me. When she doesn’t open the door all the way, I smile. She’s learning.

“What are you doing here, Cam?”

I shrug. “Was at a party and got bored.”

“You were at a party on a Wednesday night?” Her eyebrow arches.

That’s pretty judgmental. I bet she doesn’t know her boy is at that party right now. I should show her the video. Tell her what her boy’s been up to.

“You still dating Chase?”

“Had dinner with him and his parents tonight. Why?” She gives me a suspicious look.

I’m not the suspicious fucker here. But she apparently doesn’t know.

“Can I come in?” Fuck, say yes.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” She glances behind her at what I know is an empty house.

“Come on, goody two-shoes.” I move closer to the door, and she tips her chin up to meet my eyes. She’s so tiny, I could probably lift her out of the way. My fingers itch to move her exactly how I want her. “Live a little. Let me in.”

She bites her lip in a way that makes me want to kiss it better.

“Your mom’s not home. You’ve got to be sick of being alone.” I lean in the open doorway. “I promise to behave.”

“I actually like being alone,” she says, and it sounds like she means it. Fuck, maybe she does.

“Maybe I’m lonely.”

She narrows her eyes. “Didn’t you come from a party?”

I grin. “You weren’t there.”

“What does that have to do with it?” She straightens.

“The only one I wanted to see tonight is right here.” I shrug, like it doesn’t matter. “So here I am. A guy. Standing in a door. Hoping the girl I like will let me in.”

She makes a face. “That’s not the quote.”

“I improvised.” My hair slips down over my eyes. Girls always fall for my sweet act. “You got something better to do than hang out with me for...” I glance at my phone. “Thirty minutes?”

“I have a boyfriend.”

And he was fucking some other girl and doesn’t deserve your fucking loyalty. But I can’t tell her. Damon wants to wait until the right time. We’re all pawns in Damon’s game.

“All I want is to talk or hang out while you do whatever you need to do.” I blow out a breath. “I don’t want to go home.”

She opens the door a little more. “Why don’t you want to go home?”

“My dad’s on me about college and his big plans for my future.” I reach out for the door. “So what do you say, goody two-shoes? Wanna let me in?”