Trust (12 page)

“
I can explain.
”

The
words are uncomfortably familiar, even when spoken in a different voice.  From
a different mouth.  My thoughts are spinning enough that I have to reach out
and grab the kitchen counter for support.  It
’
s Harriso
n all
over again. 

Lies.

“Lila-”

“
I think your explanation needs to be to
us, young man.
” 
The older couple are still standing in
the room as well, and the man in the polo shirt has a cell phone in his hand
with his thumb poised as if ready to dial. 
“
Or you can explain it to the police.
”

“
I need some air,
”
I say.  I have to shake off Chase
’
s hand as he grabs for me on my way to
the front door.  I left Harrison, who
’
d I
’
d been dating for months, because of his lies.  Chase and I
have only been together
a week. 

Outside
, the hot desert sun is stifling, but it
still feels like I can breathe easier.  Chase
’
s limousine is parked in front of the
house.  I wonder if his driver would take me back to the hotel if his boss
isn’t
with me.  I feel like I need to
run.  Get away from the lies again.  But there
’
s a pain in my chest, a heaviness born
by fresh betrayal.  I really felt like Chase was different.

“Lila.”

Chase
is standing at the front door, staring at me.  His blue eyes are catching the
sun, causing th
em to sparkle, but there is a depth to
them now as he looks at me.  He
’
s asking me to wait with them just as
clearly as if he said the words. 

“
What is going on here?
” 
The older couple are behind him now, I
can see them throu
gh the open door.  He still
hasn’t
dealt with them, but he
’
s not even looking back.  His eyes are
focused on me. 
“
That
’
s it, I
’
m calling the police.
” 
The man is looking down at his phone,
but Chase is still ignoring them, all of his focus is still on me.

“You
’d better explain your
self to them,
”
I finally say, my heart beginning to speed up as the
situation continues to escalate. 
“He
’
s calling the police.
”

“
I don’
t care,”
Chase says without wavering his gaze or
changing his expression.  I would believe him, except that his entire
profession revolves around his being a good liar and a
master of keeping his emotions under control.  Apparently those skills extend
to his personal life as well. 

“
Well I do,
”
I say, glaring back at him. 
“
I didn’t
stay in Vegas to end up in jail.  You
’
re an asshole for involving me in this. 
If you want to be a fucking criminal who breaks into people
’
s houses, leave me the hell out of it.
”

Chase
is shaking his head. 
“
We
didn’t
break in.”

“
Then what do you call being caught in my
house?
”
the man asks.
 
He still
hasn’t
dialed the police, which surprises me.  If it were my
house that
’
s the first thing I would have done.  He
must not view us as much of a threat, although if Chase was violent he could
easily overtake the older man.

“
It was a viewing,
”
Cha
se replies,
not even bothering to turn his head. 
“I
’
m entitled to three of them as per the
contract.
”

“
Hold on, you
’
re Mr. Anderson?”

Chase
nods, still looking at me.  I have no idea what
’
s going on.

“
Well as per the contract, those viewings
are suppos
ed to be with advance warning, and you
’
re supposed to be accompanied by your
agent during each one.  You
aren’t
entitled to just show up here whenever you feel like it. 
It
’
s still ours until we close.
”

“Apologies,”
Chase said, finally turning to look at
the other man. 
“
My agent was supposed to inform you.  I
thought everything had been squared away.  She was supposed to meet us here but
had to cancel.  We were already here so decided to just come in anyway, I
didn’t
see any harm in it.
”

“
You were using
our
pool,
”
the woman said, sniffing at Chase as she
ogled his half naked body.  I
’
m pretty sure I catch a subtle change of expression on her
as her eyes take him in, but it
’
s gone almost immediately.  Is she wishing her husband had
a body like Chase?  Did
she want to see the rest of
him?  I don
’
t blame her, either way.

“
Wait, what the hell is going on Chase?
”
I interrupt.  What is he talking about? 
Viewings?

“It
’
s true, this house
isn’t
mine,”
Chase says, turning back to me. 
“
Yet.  I put an offer in yes
terday.
”

My
eyes close as I shake my head, trying to make sense of the time lines.  Even
still, the lies still exist.  This was never his house, and he told me it was.

“
That
doesn’t
give you free run of the place.  Not
until it
’
s yours. 
I’ll
be calling
your
agent
…”

“
Would you like to walk away from the
deal?
” 
I hear Chase snap at the older man. 

When
I open my eyes, Chase is glaring at the man behind him who has now taken a step
back. 
“
We have a contract
…” he
’
s protesting, somewhat feebly.

“
A contr
act
with clauses on both of our sides that would allow for this deal to fall
apart.  If you want to cancel it right now, let me know.  I
’
d be happy to let you walk away from
it.  Perhaps you
’
d rather wait another three months for
your next offer?
” 
The man
’
s wife grabs his arm as if to hold him
back from Chase, but it
’
s clear the man has no intention of arguing. 
“
Fine.  Now as I said, I apologize for
the mix up with the viewing.  I promise you, it won
’
t happen again.
” 
He turns back to me, taking a step in
my direction, crossing through the doorway and into the
Vegas heat.

“Lila,”
he begins again as he reaches for me.  I
step back, letting his hand grasp at the empty air between us.

“
Why would you lie about this?
”
I finally say, gesturing back towards
the
house.  It
doesn’t
make sense to me.  None of this makes
sense. 
“
What else are you lying about?
”

“
Nothing, Lila, please.  Let
’
s get into the car and let me explain.
” 
He nods at the limo that is still parked
in front of the house.  His driver must be wa
tching
him as I hear it start up at his gesture.

“
Yes, please leave,
”
I hear the real owner of the house say
from behind us.  He and his wife are still standing in the open doorway,
watching us.

Chase
stiffens, but then points to the car that is now pull
ing
into the driveway. 
“
Please.  Lila.  Let
’
s just go.  I know I
wasn’t
totally honest about the house, but
please, just hear me out.  I
’
m not Harrison.  I can explain what happened,
it
’
s really not that big of a deal.  I
should have just told you up fron
t, instead things
got away from me.  But I promise, this is all that
I’ve
lied to you about.
”