Page 71 of Whisper Pretty Lies (Lust & Liars #1)

EvanAnn

Chase drags me farther into the room and grabs a Diet Coke and a beer from the cooler. He keeps his arm wrapped around my shoulder. Before I know it, we’re outside walking around the pool. I have no idea where Mia is.

Chase sits with his friends and pulls me down onto his lap. My cheeks are red as he hands me my soda. Technically I’m still his girlfriend. This is completely normal behavior for a girlfriend, if she doesn’t know her boyfriend is a lying cheating whore.

The problem is, most of the guys around me probably know he’s a whore. But will they tell me? No.

Assholes.

I try to relax, but the party is moving outside since it’s a nice night. So unlike last weekend when it was quiet outside, everyone is out here now. The music even moves outside, and at least twenty people are in the pool in their underwear.

Chase keeps a hand on my hip as he talks to the guys around us. His friends. I’m supposed to be paying attention, but tonight has been rough. Besides, they’re just talking about the game. I’m sure that kiss didn’t go unnoticed. Which has me on edge, because I’ll eventually have to go home.

Olivia’s sharp laughter fills the air. She has Damon by the hand as she tugs him toward the house. I stiffen. Is this my punishment? It’s not like I even enjoyed the kiss. It was sloppy and unexpected with way too much tongue.

Hawk sits on the side of the pool with girls swarming around him, mostly in their wet underwear. One of them curves into his side, whispering in his ear. A smirk lifts his lips at whatever she’s saying.

When cheers erupt at the other end of the pool, I turn to see Cam doing keg stands while a group of hockey players egg him on. Is this really my life now?

Forced to pretend to be with a guy who doesn’t even have the courtesy to keep it in his pants for me. When I lean in to tell Chase I need to go to the bathroom, he pulls me in for another kiss. The guys around us make ooh noises.

I pull away, embarrassed. I just want to go home. I wish I still lived in my little house and not Damon’s huge mansion. I need somewhere I can lock myself inside and deal with all this.

“Bathroom,” I say to Chase, and point toward the house.

He grins and pushes me up to my feet by lifting my ass. My cheeks are hot, but not from anything close to lust. I’m embarrassed and don’t know how to stop him from touching me. I don’t know what’s gotten into him, but whatever it is isn’t good.

I walk a couple of steps, dragging in a breath, grateful to be away from him, when Chase’s arm falls over my shoulders.

“I’m not letting you out of my sight tonight, babe. I haven’t been able to kiss you all week. We’ve got a lot of making out to do.” He smiles down at me and pulls me in for another kiss.

Fuck, I haven’t been coughing all day. Because he hasn’t tried anything lately, I kind of forgot about the cold today at school, and now that’s biting me in the butt. We go into the house and Chase leads me upstairs to where the bathroom is. There’s a line.

I lean back against the wall, and he hovers above me with his hands beside my head.

“This week has been amazing.” He smiles and glances at the girl next to me before returning his attention to me. “The rehearsal. Fuck, EvanAnn, I thought you cast Hawk for his looks, but he’s amazing as Cassio.”

I arch an eyebrow, but don’t say anything as we shift down the hallway closer to the bathroom. He doubted my ability? This is the second time he’s mentioned this. It’s beginning to piss me off. I’m so over pretending to be his girlfriend.

“You know, when you get done in there, we could find a bedroom and mess around for a while.” He arches an eyebrow and smirks.

I lift my wide eyes up to him. Is he serious?

He lowers his face to mine. “Come on, EvanAnn. It’s been a long week. You and I need some time together. We don’t have to take it all the way, but I’d really like to make you feel good.”

The door to the bathroom opens and I slip inside before Chase can kiss me again. I stand there for a moment, completely panicked. What the hell do I do? I have no idea where Mia is. From all appearances, the Devil’s trio has completely forgotten about me.

Fuck, that hurts more than I want to think about. But it’s also possible Jackson Riordan is somewhere at this party, which means staying with Chase is my best option. I use the toilet and wash my hands.

I pull out my phone and text Mia.

Me:

Where’d you go?

Mia:

Entertaining a very well-endowed hockey guy

Yeah, good for her, but not helpful for me. Of all the guys, I would normally go to Cam to get me out of here, but he’s been drinking. I’d hate to interrupt whatever Hawk and Damon have going on.

After all, I’m not their girlfriend. I’m Chase’s.

There’s nothing I can do to claim them. Would they just laugh in my face? Is that what they’re hoping for?

I slip my phone into my back pocket and join Chase in the hallway. He stops talking to the girl who’s next in line. She flashes me a tight smile before going into the bathroom. Has he fucked her, or does he want to fuck her? What’s his criteria for a fuck buddy?

Chase smirks and grabs my hand. “This way.”

He pulls me down the hallway, away from the stairs and toward the bedrooms. I really don’t want to go into a bedroom with him.

“Let’s go back outside, Chase. I don’t feel well.”

He stops at a door and tries it, but it’s locked. “We can sit in a room for a little while and I promise to make you feel better.”

I snatch my hand away, but right then the door next to us opens. Damon walks out. My heart lurches. He steps into the hallway and nods to Chase.

“What’s up?” Chase says.

A lead stone falls in my stomach and I put my hand over it as Olivia steps into the doorway. “Damon, come back inside.”

I can’t look at him. I can’t even breathe. Nothing has ever felt like this. It’s like my insides are crumbling.

Chase wraps his arm around my shoulders. “Busy up here tonight.”

“Yeah.” Damon runs his hand through his blond hair.

I want to run, but I’m stuck here in this moment. My stomach twists into knots. I turn and look up at Chase. “Chase, I don’t feel well.”

He looks down at me and frowns. “You look pale, babe.” He glances up at Damon. “Guess we need to get some air.”

He drags me away from Damon. I’m not aware of anything as Chase leads me outside. I just go through the motions of getting into Chase’s truck and buckling my seat belt. How could Damon do that? Are we done, then? Is he finished with me?

My phone vibrates but I ignore it. Chase drives.

“Can you take me to Mia’s? My car is there.”

“Sure, but I want to show you something first.”

I wish I could care more, but I stare out the window because I can feel tears starting to choke me.

What did I really expect? That Damon would keep it in his pants for me?

Even my boyfriend cheats on me. Why would I think a guy who wants revenge on my boyfriend would not fuck around, especially when all he gets from me is blow jobs?

I don’t even know if I’m doing that right. Maybe I’m horrible at it. Olivia probably gives him everything he needs. Why have I been so stupid when it comes to boys? Jackson, Chase, then Damon, Hawk, and Cam.

All I am is a trophy to be passed along or used.

The city lights fade and I look up. Chase has taken us out of the city.

“Where are we going?” I ask, suddenly alert.

“There’s this spot I want to take you to.” Chase smiles. “You can see all the stars. It’s really beautiful. You’re going to love it.”

“I just want to go home, Chase.” I breathe out. My heart races. This is bad. Chase has always been respectful and kind. But he’s also been really grabby tonight. “Just take me home.”

“Ten minutes, babe. I swear. We’ll look at the stars and see if you feel any better.” Chase reaches out and takes my hand, squeezing it lightly.

“Fine.” All I have to go home to is my empty bed, which is right next to Damon’s. God, I’m such a fool. At least I didn’t give it all to any of them. They can go to hell. I don’t need a guy or three in my life.

Chase pulls off the road onto a scenic overlook and shuts off the truck. “I know this week has been crazy for you.”

It’s been intense and wonderful and devastating all in the same breath.

“We just need a moment to breathe.” Chase opens his door and gets out.

I should end this charade. I climb out of the truck and remember how it felt to find out he was fucking Abby. Not to mention the other girls he’s fucked while he’s been with me.

Chase lowers the tailgate of his truck and lifts me to sit on it. He sits next to me and points up at the sky. “There’s a million stars we can’t see in town, but up here, we can see everything.”

I look up and for a moment, just feel the awe. I don’t get out of the city very much. Where I live, there are too many lights to see the stars, but tonight, it’s clear and there are so many sparkling in the sky. It’s breathtaking.

Chase takes my hand. “I know I wasn’t around much last weekend. I’m trying to do better by you.”

“Chase. I don’t think this is going to work out with us.” I look down at my lap. “I think maybe we both wanted something different from this relationship.”

“EvanAnn, the only thing I ever wanted was you. It’s like my dad always says, if you want the best, you date the best. You’re the best for me, EvanAnn.”

What am I supposed to say to that? Should I tell him I know about his cheating? Will he get mad? How far are we away from town?

He runs a hand through his hair and looks away. “Is this about Hawk?”

When he looks at me, there’s anger and accusation in his eyes.

“What about Hawk?” I pull my hand away. Technically, I cheated with Hawk before I knew Chase was cheating on me.

“I see the way he watches you.” His eyes narrow on me, like it’s my fault anyone looks at me. Like I can control how people look at me.

I slide off the tailgate and wrap my arms around myself, wishing I’d worn my sweatshirt instead of Damon’s stupid shirt. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I’ve been distant. Not attentive. But this is it for me, EvanAnn. You’re it for me. I know it in my bones. But I’m not going to let you make a fool out of me by fucking Hawk Wilker.” He grabs my arm. Hard.

“You’re hurting me.” My heart races and my mind struggles to find a way out of this.

“Why won’t you be with me? Fuck, I’ll do anything for you.” He tries to pull me in but I jerk away from him. “Just let me show you how good we can be together. I’ve held back because I thought that’s what you needed, but maybe I should have pushed you more.”

My anger rises and burns away part of the fear, holding me in place. Fuck him and every other guy. They’re all assholes. “If you really want to be with me, maybe you shouldn’t be fucking other girls.”

He freezes for a second. Something like panic crosses his face before it clears. He stalks toward me, but I back away. He’s large and scary. There’s not a lot of places I can go, except into the woods. “Who told you?”

Dumbfounded, I stop and meet his eyes. “You aren’t even going to deny it.” Why am I surprised? “I saw you with Abby last weekend.”

“We’ve been dating for four months, and I haven’t even seen your tits. Why should I wait for you to be fucking ready when you’re a virgin who won’t even know what to do?” He glares at me. “But I’ll show you what I like.”

When he grabs for me, I bolt into the woods, running like the hounds of hell are on my heels. Flight or freeze. I don’t know what would happen if I froze now, but I remember what happened with Jackson. No one is taking anything from me again.

“I’m not fucking up my knee chasing you into woods in the dark, EvanAnn. Come out. We can talk this through.”

I duck behind a tree and rest my back against it, trying to catch my breath. My pulse races and my chest is tight.

“Fuck!” he yells and he must kick something. “Come on, I’m not going to wait all night for you to come out. Yes, I’m fucking around on you. Are you happy? I confess. And I could be getting some right now, but I’m here with you. I want to fuck you.”

“How fucking chivalrous!” I yell.

A bitter laugh comes from him. “Maybe if you’d let me under that skirt or sucked my cock, I wouldn’t have needed to go find someone else. I’m a teenage guy. I want sex, and when my girlfriend won’t even consider touching my dick, what do you fucking expect?”

“For you to keep it in your pants.” I rub my clammy hands down on my jeans. I don’t know how to get out of this. Where are we? How far outside of town? He’s my ride. I have to get back in that truck with him or stay out here and what? Freeze?

Chase laughs. “You want me to yourself? Come out and suck my cock. Prove to me that waiting is going to pay off. If you do a good job, I’ll eat you out.”

“Are you fucking kidding me?” I look around, but we’re truly in the middle of nowhere. My heartbeat is so loud. I’m trapped.

“Come on, EvanAnn.” His tone turns coaxing, but it isn’t getting closer. Maybe I can talk him down. “Everyone has to have a first time. I’ll make it feel good, babe.”

My heart pounds and my feet are stuck to the ground, but I don’t answer that. Would he actually force me if I come out? How did I get myself into this situation? And how do I get myself out of it?

“Fine! Enjoy the fucking woods, you frigid bitch. I’m going to go fuck my way through the party.”

My stomach drops. He wouldn’t actually leave me, right? The truck door slams and the engine starts.

Wait, I’ll be stuck out here with no way home. I hurry to the edge of the trees to see his truck backing up. He floors it down the road, leaving me alone in the dark.

My throat closes, and I crumple onto the ground. I’m back to where I should be. All alone.