The Truth in Lies (The Truth in Lies Saga) (10 page)

“Says the divorce attorney,” I muttered with a chuckle.

He grimaced.  “Says someone who’s been where you are.”

My eyes shot up to meet his.  Could he truly have understood how I felt?  Had he been left alone to deal with the pain of losing everything he loved?  Anything was possible.

“Thanks, Drew.  I’ll call you if I need to,” I promised.

The elevator opened to the fourteenth floor.  Drew moved aside for me to pass.  We walked up to the door together.  I used the key Olivia had left for me to open the door.

“Liv, I’m home,” I called out.

She came bouncing in wearing a t-shirt and pajama pants.  She stopped dead in her tracks when she noticed Drew behind me.

“Drew, what the hell?” she screeched as she darted off to her bedroom.

I looked up at the man behind me and laughed.  “She had no clue you were coming, did she?”

Drew cocked his head, staring after Liv.  “No.  I thought I’d surprise you both tonight by taking you to dinner.  Nothing fancy.  Just friends enjoying each other’s company.  Was I wrong in that?”

I ushered him into the condo and dropped my belongings by the door.  “Only when it involves seeing Liv the way you just did.  Hell, the woman used to wear makeup to bed when we were in college just to keep the guys in the hall from ever seeing her without it.”

Drew’s forehead wrinkled in frustration as he sat down on the couch.  “That explains a lot.”

“I’m sure it does, but that’s Liv for ya,” I stated with a shrug.

Drew rolled his eyes and extended his arms over the top of the couch. 

“What did you have in mind for dinner?” I asked.

“Something simple.  You need comfort food if you plan on downing that bottle of tequila.”

I looked down at the covered bottle.  It was impossible for anyone to know what I was carrying.  “Lucky guess,” I said.

Drew smirked, tapping the side of his head.  “Experience.”

“But you don’t drink.  At least you didn’t the other night,” I stated.

“I don’t drink
anymore
.  There was a time that I would’ve probably mugged you for that bottle in the parking garage,” he replied with a solemn chuckle.

My stomach growled, displaying my hunger for the world.  “Sounds like you’re hungry,” he teased.

I covered my face, hiding my blush.  “Apparently.  How does Crispers sound to you?  I’ve been craving their fried pickles.”

“Fried pickles?  That sounds nasty!” Drew exclaimed.

I gasped.  “They’re wonderful.  We’re going to Crispers then.  You have to try them.”

“I’ll try them just for you,” he stated with a wink.

That feeling of having known Drew for years engulfed me again.  How was it that I could fall into a comfort zone with a man I barely knew, I wondered.

“Do you mind if I change?  It might be a little while for Liv to get ready, and I really want out of these dress clothes.” 

“Of course not.  Go right ahead.  I envy you.  I’d love to get out of this monkey suit.”

I laughed.  “Well, the monkey suit looks good on you.”

“As do
the dress
clothes on you.”

Heat rose in my face setting my che
eks aflame.  I stepped backward toward the hall.  “Um, make yourself comfortable.  I’ll be right back.”

“Take your time,” he called out, as I disappeared down the hall.

I ran into the guest room, riffling through my bag on the floor.  I pulled out a pair of jeans and my favorite yellow V-neck sweater.  “I really need to get the rest of my clothes,” I grumbled.

Once changed, I laced up my brown Skechers and glanced at my reflection in the mirror.  There was nothing impressive about my ensemble, but I was comfortable, and that was all that mattered to me.

Rebounding back down the hall, I passed Olivia’s room, only to hear her still rummaging around like a mad woman.  Just as I predicted, she’d be in there awhile.

As I reentered the living area, I found Drew exactly where I had left him.  His head leaned back on the sofa and his arms were still outstretched.  He had placed his feet on the coffee table in front of him.  I caught myself staring at the beauty of the man before me.  I cleared my throat to let him know I was in the room.

His eyes opened, and a lazy smile formed on his lips.  “Hey, you,” he greeted.

“You look comfy,” I stated, as I sat down in the chair across from him.

“Only following orders.”

My brow furrowed in confusion.

He chuckled.  “You did say to make myself comfortable.  Besides, I’m waiting for my girls.”

“Your girls?” I questioned, my mouth tilting into a half smile.

“Uh, yeah, my girls,” he repeated.  His eyes danced.  How I was growing to love that dance already.

“Rather presumptuous of you, don’t you think?”

“Not at all.  Both of you are of the female origin, and have agreed to partake of an evening meal with me.  Therefore, I’m well within my rights of calling you
my girls
, beautiful.” 

A weird mix of feelings bubbled up inside of me at him calling me beautiful.  The fluttering butterflies invading my stomach didn’t assist my grumbling tummy in anyway.

“God, you really are a lawyer, aren’t you.”

He lifted his head from the couch and looked at me pointedly.  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It’s how you say things.  You’re very careful with your words.”

Drew laughed hard.  “Sorry, Mickie, it comes with the day job.”

“All work and no play makes Andy a dull boy,” I joked.

“I’m not dull.”  He dropped his arms from the sofa and his feet landed on the floor with a soft thud.  He leaned forward, resting his hands on the cushions.  “I’ll have you know I’m a lot of fun.”

“I’m sure you are.”

“I have many hobbies.”

“Like what?” I demanded.  His defensiveness had sparked my curiosity.

“Let’s see.  I enjoy surfing,” he stated.

“You’re on the wrong coast for that,” I noted.

I sat back in my chair and crossed my legs, relishing the nervous twitch of his leg as he attempted to convince me.  Something told me that Andrew Wise wasn’t typically the type of guy who had to explain himself.

“Tell me about it,” he grumbled.

“What else do you enjoy, Andy?”

His eyes danced.  “God, how I hate that name,” he muttered.

I leaned forward, resting my left elbow on my thigh.  My fingers curled around my ear, toying with my earring.  “And you’re avoiding my question.”

Drew rolled his eyes with a huff.  “Fine.”  He threw his hand into the air.  “I love to run.  I like to read.  I enjoy movies.  I play video games, and I’m a huge Star Wars collector.  There.  You happy now?”

My mouth dropped.  “Star Wars?”

“Yes.  I’m a world class nerd,” he dead-panned.

“And you’re dating Olivia.  What do you two talk about?”

Drew tilted his head.  His eyes focused, staring off in the distance, as if contemplating his next sentence carefully.  “I’m well versed in many things.  Having a twin sister who enjoys the arts and fashion is a great asset for a guy to have.  Plus, I’m great in bed.  Who needs to talk there?”  He wiggled his eyebrows.

“Oh my God, Drew! Too much information.” 

He looked at me in triumph as he relaxed back into the couch.  “What about you, Miss Evans?  What do you do for fun?”

My shoulders slumped as I tried to come up with an answer.  I had teased Drew about being dull, but in fact, it was me who was the dull one.  “It’s been a long time since I’ve had fun,” I admitted.

His smile wavered only for a second.  “Nice try, beautiful, but you’re not getting out of it so easily.”

My stomach did somersaults at the sound of him calling me beautiful.  I blushed deeply as I stuttered, “I…um…well…I…”

“Sorry about that,” Olivia interrupted.  “I wasn’t expecting you tonight, Drew.  You surprised me.”

Saved by Olivia.  I swallowed hard, thanking the gods for sending her out when they did.

Drew stood up and turned to Olivia.  She was dressed in a pair of designer dark wash skinny jeans with a green halter shirt that bared her entire back.  Her dark hair hung in loose waves over her shoulders, and her makeup was masterfully painted on her face.  I immediately felt underdressed.

“Um, wow,” Drew said, his brow scrunched together.

Olivia cast a seductive smile toward him.  “Oh, this is nothing,” she stated.

“Um, sorry about showing up unannounced.  I, um, thought I’d take you two ladies to dinner.”

“That would be lovely.  Where are we going?”  Olivia walked over to Drew pressing her body to his, kissing him.  My body stiffened at the sight.  I fought the urge to turn my face.

He looked down at her.  It was plain to see that he was shocked by both her appearance and behavior.  He shook his head and wrapped his arm around her.  “Mickie said she wanted
Crispers.  It sounds good to me.”

Olivia cringed.  She glanced at me, as if to tell me to find a way to bow out.

“On second thought,” I started.  “Maybe you two should go alone.”

Drew turned around to me.  “Oh, no.  I told you I’m taking you to dinner and you’re going.”

“I…um…” I stuttered, staring helplessly at Olivia.

“Mickie, this is my treat.  Please,” he pleaded.

I couldn’t tell him no, even with Olivia’s determined glare.  “Okay.  I’ll go.”

“Great!” he exclaimed. 

He kissed Olivia on the temple and turned toward the door, bringing her with him.  Then he reached out and grabbed me by the arm, pulling me up from my seat into his side.  “I’m a lucky man tonight.  My two favorite girls are joining me for dinner.”

I glanced around him to see Olivia’s face downcast.  I knew only one way to fix things.  “Let’s go somewhere other than
Crispers though.  Maybe we could go to the Columbia Restaurant,” I suggested.

“Oh, yes.  That sounds so much better,” Olivia agreed.  Her smile returned, as did her excitement.

Drew looked down at me, his forehead wrinkled with confusion.  “What about fried pickles?”

“Maybe another time,” I told him.

He nodded, realizing what I was doing.  “If that’s what you want.”

It didn’t matter what I wanted.  I didn’t want Olivia upset, so I did what I could to make her happy.  After all, we were going out with her boyfriend.  Not mine.

“We’ll take my car,” Olivia announced. 

“Works for me,” Drew and I said at the same time.  “But I’m driving,” Drew added.

As he guided me toward the door, I reached out and grabbed my purse.  Abandoned, sat my new friend, the bottle of tequila, still dressed in its paper sack.  Instead, I was about to embark on a night out with my true friends who I knew would always be there for me, and I would never be alone again. 

It was a lazy Friday.  School let out early for the day.  I sat, staring at the carefully arranged pictures on my desk.    One was missing from the collection, but my heart didn’t break in half as it once did over it.  Up front was a picture of me and Olivia with my parents on graduation day, to the left was a picture of me and Jared with a few of our students, and to the right was a new picture.  I smiled as I traced the outside of the copper-plated frame.  It was a picture that Olivia snapped of Drew and me, playing video games one night at her condo.

Drew had become as good of a friend to me as Jared.  Maybe even a little bit closer.  He had the same routine every day.  He would send me a text in the morning wishing me a good day, to which would start some random conversation between us, which would lead to an email or two throughout the day.  Then he would stop by at night to hang with Olivia and me.

On those nights in which he had to work late, I often got a text wishing me sweet dreams and a reminder that he was always there if I needed him.  A month had passed in what seemed like a blink of an eye.  I was still living with Olivia, because every time I mentioned moving out she threw a hissy fit.

While Nate had been away on his trip to California, Jared, Drew, Olivia, and I moved the rest of my belongings out of the house.  Nate wasn’t happy to find my stuff missing when he returned.  He had managed to convince himself that he would come home to me begging for his forgiveness.  Instead, what he got was a partially empty house and another blowout fight.

After the fight, Drew and Olivia stayed with me until I fell asleep.  I woke the next morning to the three of us practically piled on top of each other on the sofa.  I felt so lucky to have such wonderful friends to help pull me through the hell I was living in.

My phone buzzed.  I looked down at the blinking screen and smiled.  It was a text from Drew.  I opened up the chat window.

Olivia and I are going to lunch. Care to join us?

I chuckled as I typed out my response.

Thanks, but I don’t want to impose on your date.

I barely laid my phone back down on my desk when I received a reply.

It’s not a date, it’s lunch. Meet us at Tommy Bahama in thirty minutes.

I laughed hard, shaking my head at his response.

So, demanding, Mr. Wise.  Fine.  I’ll meet you there in thirty minutes.  Be there or be square.

I held my phone in my hand waiting for the response I knew I would get from him.  My phone vibrated immediately.

Don’t you know it’s hip to be square?

A loud snort rattled my throat.  I covered my face, praying no one heard me.

Oh, Andy, Andy, Andy,
I sent back.  I loved our playful banter.  He could make me laugh when I felt like all I could do was cry.

Ugh! That’s just cruel. I’ll see you in thirty.

I stuffed my phone in my purse, turned off my computer, and walked out of the school.  I got into my car and headed down I-75 leading me to St. Armands Circle.  I was certain that it was Drew who had chosen Tommy Bahama.  Sure, it was nice enough for Olivia’s taste, but it was the beach front view that I knew attracted Drew, just as it did me.

“Damn tourists,” I yelled, blasting my horn at the car in front of me
that decided to slam on his brakes at the last minute.  “Go back to Georgia where you belong!”

Frustrated, I gritted my teeth and wringed my hands over th
e steering wheel.  It was lunchtime, and I should have taken into account that the freeway would be jam-packed.

“I swear to all that is
holy, between tourists and snowbirds, it’s a miracle I’m not doing a stint in prison for murder,” I grumbled to myself.  

It wasn’t that I was in any hurry.  I had more than enough time to get there.  It was the principle of the matter.  When in Rome, do as the Romans do.  When in Florida, drive like the Floridians do.  It’s not that hard of a concept.

While wishing for the tourists to learn how to drive, I looked out over the Gulf and let my mind drift off to a better place.  I loved living in Florida.  I was a Texan through and through, but Florida held a special place in my heart. 

M
y favorite time of the day to frequent the beach was right at sunset when the evening sky danced over the water.  I often found myself walking along the shoreline, lost in my thoughts.  The sparkling white sands of Siesta Key Beach, the soothing waves crashing on the shore had a calming effect that no medication can duplicate.  The sand is so soft beneath my feet that it’s like coming home the moment I step onto the beach.  I could spend hours listening to the earth and water speak to each other.  Letting their calm, sweet voices wash away my pain; even if only for a brief moment in time.

Twenty minutes later, and cursing everything that cut me off along the way, I finally arrived at the restaurant.  I parked my car and made my way to the entrance.  Just as I suspected, even with traffic, I still beat Drew and Olivia.  I was pretty certain that Drew was probably still sitting at Olivia’s office waiting for her to freshen up her makeup.

“Welcome to Tommy Bahama,” the perky hostess greeted me.  “Just one today?”

I glanced around the room to make sure I didn’t somehow miss Drew’s Range Rover outside.  When I was certain that I was the first one to arrive, I smiled at the young woman.  “You might already have a reservation for my party,” I stated.

“Name, please?” she asked.

“Andrew Wise.” 

She scanned her list.  Her face lit up upon locating the name.  “Yes, ma’am. The table isn’t quite ready yet.  Would you like to sit at the bar while you wait?”

“That’s fine.  Thank you,” I replied. 

The hostess directed me to the bar.  “Anything for a guest of Mr. Wise.”

I chuckled as I headed toward the bar.  Of course they knew Drew by name.  Over the past month
, I had learned quite a bit about Drew.  Not only was he a thirty-two year old kid, who worshiped Star Wars, he was also from a long line of very distinguished attorneys.  Once I teased him about being a spoiled rich kid, and instantly, he went on the defensive. 

When he realized that I wasn’t judging him, that I had only been teasing, he gave me some of his background.  Over the generations, the Wise family had built up a vast empire in law, branching out throughout the world.  They specialized in family law, but had incorporated other areas into their business in order to reach the masses.

Their corporate office was located in Boston, and was headed up by his father, Jonathan, who was managing partner.  Right after Drew graduated from Harvard, Gavin was promoted to the chief financial officer of the firm.  He was chosen to spearhead the Sarasota office, thus paving the way for Drew to move to Florida.  Drew talked about Boston like it was a mythical fantasyland.  He loved the city in which he was raised.  When I asked him why he didn’t move back, his only answer was, “My heart isn’t there.  It’s here now.”  Of course, I assumed he was speaking of Olivia, as he never expanded on that statement.

I hopped up on the barstool at the bar, and the bartender appeared before me.  “Can I get you something to drink?  A beer?  Maybe a martini?”

“Coors Light, please,” I requested.

“Bottle or draft?”

“Bottle, please.”

The bartender turned around and pulled the bottle from the cooler behind him.  White vapor rose from the chest, sending a cool breeze across the bar.  He flicked his wrist, popping the cap off the top of the bottle with finesse.  The soft ting of metal hitting wood reverberated off the floor. 

He flashed me a gorgeous smile, as he placed the cold beverage in front of me.  His long fingers brushed his jet black hair from his eyes.  I pulled out my wallet, waiting for my tab. 

“Um, no charge, ma’am,” he stated almost nervously.

“Really?  Why?”  I took a sip of the frothy drink while staring into his vibrant lavender eyes.  They shifted to my left, and naturally, I followed his gaze.

“It was covered by the gentlemen at the end of the bar.”

It was pure luck that I had the bottle to my lips, because I nearly laughed at the sight of the man staring back at me.  He had muscles in places I didn’t even know existed.  His shaggy blonde hair hung to his shoulders and he was wearing a million dollar smile…literally.  I was certain he had a porcelain cap on every tooth.  No one’s teeth were that white.  Of course his bright orange tan didn’t help in the matter.

I waved at him, hoping that was enough thanks for the beer.  Unfortunately, it wasn’t.  The oversized Oompa Loompa took it as an open invitation to come sit by me.  The bartender gave me an apologetic look and slunk away.

“Hi, my name is Richard Stapler,” he said as he sat down beside me.  I took a swig of my beer trying to keep from laughing.  His billowy white shirt was unbuttoned halfway down his chest, and his black slacks clung to him in all the wrong places.

“Hi,” I responded.

“What’s your name?” he asked.  He scooted his chair a little closer to mine.  The loud scraping of wood against linoleum sent horrific chills down my spine.

I glanced toward the door, willing Drew and Olivia to arrive.  I took another drink of my beer trying to delay the inevitable.  “McKenzie,” I muttered.

“That’s a pretty name.  Do you come here a lot?”  His index finger lightly trailed over my wrist.  I jerked my hand away, staring at him incredulously. 

“Nah.  You?” I managed to say.  I wondered if his orange, rubbery skin would turn white or red if I slapped him.

“Periodically.  It’s got a great view of the ocean.  Would you like to go outside and check it out?”  His smile expanded over his entire face.  I fought the urge to search for my sunglasses to dull the glare from his teeth.

“I…uh…” I stuttered.

“Sorry, I’m late, baby.  I got caught up in traffic,” Drew’s seductive voice rescued me. 

I turned to see him standing behind me.  He was dressed in a slate gray Armani suit that was tailored to fit his masculine form.  A playful smile teased his lips, and the tiny crinkles around his eyes told me he was about to have some fun with my current guest.

Of course, in my mind, violence would have been better, but since that wasn’t an option, I decided to play along.  “It’s okay, handsome.  I’ve only been here a few minutes.  I’d like to introduce you to
Dick
.”

“No, it’s…” Richard tried to correct me only to be interrupted by Drew.

“Nice to meet you,
Dick,
” Drew retorted. 

Anyone
who didn’t know Drew would have assumed he was utterly perturbed, but I, on the other hand, had the inside track to his psyche.  Even though he was standing straight, emphasizing his height, his eyes sparkled with delight of the situation.  The expression on his face might have appeared to be authoritative, but the bouncing in his voice said he was about to buckle over in laughter.

Drew was complex to most people, but to me, he was simple to read.  His eyes gave him away every time.  Over the years, he had perfected the art of body language, but those eyes were his
tell.

Drew leaned down and kissed my cheek before reaching over my shoulder to shake Richard’s hand.  “I appreciate you keeping my
wife
company.” 

It was a good thing I didn’t have a mirror in front of me, for I was certain that my expression resembled that of a cartoon character.  My eyes widened and I tilted my head back to look up at Drew.  The term
wife
caught me by surprise.  I turned back to see that Richard’s bright orange face was now more sherbet colored. 
So he can turn red, huh? Who knew?

“
Wife
?” Richard gurgled.  Sweat began to bead across his brow.  “I didn’t…um…she’s not…” –he sighed– “no problem, man.”  

Ignoring Richard’s stuttering, Drew continued, “I got delayed in court, then had to deal with traffic.”  Drew wrapped his arm around my waist.  “You know how it is.  Men see a sexy blonde sitting alone at a bar and assume she’s free for the taking.”

“It’s disgusting,” Richard muttered, gulping down his drink.  His face winced as the liquor seared the back of his throat.  Part of me wondered if he was also winced in response to Drew’s deliberate display of public affection.

“I agree.  Just because she’s sitting here alone doesn’t mean that she’s in fact
alone
.  Not only that, but what man would expect her to be unfaithful?  It’s disgraceful.” 

Drew’s fingers trailed down the length of my jaw, leaving a delightful burning sensation in their wake. 

Richard stared down at his now empty glass, snarling.  “Disgraceful.”

Drew softly nuzzled his nose to my neck and continued, “But I’m a lucky man to have such a sexy, loyal
wife
to come home to every night.”  He moaned softly, inhaling deep.  “God, baby, you smell good today.  Is that a new perfume?”

The feel of his breath against my neck caused my pulse to race.  I was paralyzed by his closeness
; intoxicated by his presence.  I couldn’t even think of anything witty to include in the conversation while encompassed in Drew’s arms.  Feeling him that close to me caused every nerve ending in my body to feel charged with electricity.  I cursed myself for my lack of self-control.