The Truth Be Told (The Truth in Lies Saga #3) (13 page)

My father tipped his glass back, smug and pretentious, and swigged his champagne.

“Thank you, Kat, for your kind words,” Morgan added.

“Yes, thank you, Mother,” Gavin muttered, glaring at my father.

McKenzie jumped up from her seat, almost knocking it backwards.  “If you’ll excuse me for a moment.”

“Mickie?” I reached out for her, but she jerked out of my way.

“Excuse me,” she repeated.

My heart sank in my chest.  Once again my past was out to hurt her.  Every promise I’d made was an empty, hollow lie as long as she kept getting hurt.  She dashed off without so much as a glance over her shoulder.  

“What an odd woman,” my father said, moving into McKenzie’s vacated chair.  

I turned on my father.  “Beg your pardon?”

Olivia leaned in closer to me, resting her hand on my arm.  “Oh, ignore her.  She’s shy in large crowds.  She’s a real sweetheart, I promise.”

“The jury’s still out on that one from what I’ve witnessed this week.”  He swirled the liquid in his glass.  “What is it that she does again?”

Olivia answered, “She’s between jobs,” at the same time I announced, “She’s a speech therapist.”

“That’s rich.  An unemployed teacher who shies away from strangers,” Father laughed.

“She’s not shy by any means,” I seethed.  “She is, however, sensitive to people who look down their noses at her.”

The table suddenly became quiet.  Everyone turned their attention to my father and me.  “Sensitivity gets you nowhere in life, Andrew.  A person has to be strong to survive in this world.”

“Strength can only get you so far.  After that, it takes the help of others to get you where you need to be.  McKenzie realizes that.  She dedicates her life to being that next step for others to pursue the goals of their lives.  She works hard to give children and their families a fighting chance in this world.”

“And why would she do that?” Father insisted.  “To redeem herself for a past indiscretion?”

Not that it surprised me any, but Olivia sat there, staring down at her fingernails, not uttering a single word.  Some friend she was supposed to be.  

“Is kindness such a foreign idea to you that you must believe anyone who shows even the slightest act of kindness is attempting to redeem themselves for something?” I demanded.  I pointed to where McKenzie disappeared.  “She has a big heart and would do anything for those she loves.  That implies strength to me.”

My father laughed.  “Now where have I heard those words before?”  He tapped his chin.  “Ah, yes.  About eight years ago.”

“Jonathan, stop,” my mother intervened.

“If your son wasn’t so blinded by his new
friend
, he’d see that what he’s doing is childish and reprehensible.”

I rubbed my hand over my head, suddenly missing my hair.

“If you’ll excuse me,” Jared announced as he stood up from his seat.  His jaw clenched tight and his fists balled. I knew he’d heard every word my father had said.  He leaned in and whispered something to Andie, who nodded her head in response.  A moment later, Jared marched off in the same direction McKenzie disappeared.

“And another one gone,” Father muttered, downing the last of his drink and motioning to the waiter to bring him another.

“You certainly know how to clear a room,” I chuckled, standing up.

My father grabbed me by the arm. “Where do you think you’re going?” he demanded.

I shook him off of me.  “Just consider me yet another one gone,” I retorted and walked out in search of McKenzie, pretty sure that was where I’d find Jared, too.

McKenzie

Almost the instant Jonathan appeared, the room felt as if all the air had been syphoned from it.  His hollow blue eyes bore into me, searching for my weaknesses.  Not so lucky for me, he found one.  His announcement regarding Drew and Olivia stabbed me right to the core.  The longer I sat there, the more I could feel him, taunting me with what could never be.  Brokenhearted, I excused myself from the table with the realization that I wasn’t the only one who had someone to lose if Drew and I were to be together.   

Fighting the swell of tears in my eyes, I shifted through the crowd, stopping for no one.  I sneaked through the kitchen, grabbing a California roll from a nearby tray as I headed toward the back exit.  Unnoticed, I slipped out the door, closing it behind me.  Instant silence engulfed me.  Gone were the symphony of voices from the guests and the soft melody of the orchestra.  They were nothing more than a hum of white noise against the empty night.  I popped the sushi roll in my mouth and meandered down to the pool deck.  Aqua lights reflected from inside the water.  Bright white lights, that surrounded the house and yard, danced across the surface.  

My heart weighed heavy in my chest.  A mere twenty-four hours ago, I was certain everything would work itself out.  Drew and I would go home and start a life together.  It would be hard, and I would lose Olivia, but I was okay to make that sacrifice.  Drew was worth it.  Our love was worth it.  But now, in the light of my revelation concerning his father, I wasn’t so sure.  It was one thing for me to lose Olivia—I’d lost her already when I broke the girl code—but Drew would lose his family, and there was no way I could stand between him and his family.

“Something’s burning out here.”  

Caught by surprise, I turned to find Jared standing at the back door, his hands thrust into his pockets, watching me.  He smiled, but even in the dim light, I could see it didn’t reach his eyes.  He loosened his tie and stepped toward me.

“I don’t smell anything,” I replied, meeting him halfway.

Jared reached out to wipe the tears from my face.  “Seriously, woman.  Whatever it is you’re thinking, stop.”

I pulled away, throwing my hands up in the air in frustration.  “Jared, don’t you get it?  That man’s never gonna accept me.”

“And why does his acceptance matter?”  

“Because I refuse to come between them.  I love Drew too much and it wouldn’t be fair to make him choose.  No one should ever be forced to make a choice like that.”

Jared rushed his fingers through his hair, shaking his head.  “Take a walk with me,” he requested, taking my hand in his.  We walked from the pool toward the garden in silence.  I was a mass of conflicting emotions, staring at the space where in two days time Gavin and Morgan would join as man and wife.  I envied them.  Especially Morgan.  She belonged to this life, where I felt odd and out of place.  Drew deserved better than me.  

White chairs were lined up in rows, waiting to be decorated for the main event.  Two large trees swayed under the moonlight, creating a perfect canopy for a wedding to take place.  We sat down on the front row.  I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees, and dropped my chin in my hands.  I closed my eyes, pulling in a deep breath, the warm summer air filling my lungs.  

“McKenzie,” Jared ventured, “I want you to think about this for a moment.”

“About what?” I muttered.

“About everything.  You’ve managed to convince yourself already that leaving Drew,
again
, is in his best interest, but it’s not.  You didn’t see how miserable he was without you.”  Jared tucked his hair behind his ears, staring up at the sky.  He let out a grunt.  “He’s a grown man, and he made a choice knowing the ramifications of his actions.  He chose you.”

“Then he chose wrong!  By loving me, he loses his father.  I couldn’t live with myself if that were to happen…if I were the cause.”

“Are you blind?  Jesus!  Have you not been watching Drew and Jonathan this week?  Jonathan is vicious.  He’s ruthless, and he doesn’t care about Drew or Drew’s happiness.  It’s all about wealth and power and the Wise legacy.  He cares more about appearances than those he loves.  Hell, I’m not sure he’s even capable of love.  To be honest, I’m not even sure the bastard has a heart.”  

Jared sat back, propping his arms behind his neck as he crossed his legs.  I knew that expression on his face all too well.  The creases at the corners of his mouth dipped deep with his smile.  He let out an evil little chuckle.  I tilted my head, raising a brow.  “What’s so funny?”

He rubbed his chin, contemplating, “I was just thinking I knew someone like him.  Then it hit me, Jonathan is Olivia with a dick.”

I bolted upright.  “How could you say that?  Liv’s nothing like that man.”

“Oh but she is.  She’s vile and cunning.  She’s money and power hungry, and she’d do anything to get what she wants, including getting herself pregnant.”

My hands fell into my lap.  “You’re not seriously suggesting she got pregnant on purpose?”

He pursed his lips and shrugged.  “I wouldn’t put anything past her.”  He dropped his leg, leaning forward.  “Think about it.  It’s really kind of perfect.  She knew you and Drew were getting closer by the day.  Hell, anyone with a pair of eyes could see how hard he was falling for you,” he stated with a sour note to his tone.  “And we all know you’re loyal to a fault.  By getting herself knocked up, she’d secure her place in Drew’s life and remove her competition in the process.”

“That’s ridiculous.  She’d never do such a thing.”

“No?  No!  I’m on to something here.”  He bounced his legs with excitement.

I slumped back into my chair and crossed my arms over my chest.  “Have you ever considered trying your hand at writing fiction?  You have a very active imagination.”

“Hear me out.  The night she supposedly got pregnant, you told me Drew was pissed and drunk so he wasn’t thinking clearly.  In Drew’s case, he probably wasn’t thinking at all.  What dumbass would fuck her?”  Jared visibly shivered.  

I rolled my eyes.  “So what if he was drunk?  People get drunk and have sex all the time, Jare.  Bars have created a sizable industry around people getting drunk with the precursory notion of getting laid.”

“That’s not what I’m talking about and you know it.  My point is, Drew’s inebriation that night gave the heartless bitch ample opportunity to punch a hole in a condom or simply not use one.”

“This is ridiculous, and trust me, Drew never goes without one.”

“Eww. TMI, woman!  And it’s not ridiculous.  It would even explain her reaction to you being here.”

“You mean her excitement to me being here?”

“I swear to God, girl, we need to have your eyes examined.  Why do you think she was at the airport?  She already knew you were coming.  Olivia had full intentions of creating a very ugly scene the moment you and Drew showed any signs of being a couple.”

“That’s why you stepped between us,” I rasped.

“Yes.  I knew if she succeeded, you’d do what you’re contemplating now.  You’d leave again.  Call me selfish, but I couldn’t lose you that way twice.”  Jared grabbed my knees, turning me to face him.  His big golden eyes swam with unshed tears.  Taking my hands in his, he gave them a good shake.  “Listen to me and listen good.  You know I love you.  You know I’d do anything to have your heart, but even I know that’s not possible because Drew is who you belong with.  The spark between the two of you is undeniable.  No matter how much I hate it to be true, it is.  And I implore you, don’t let Olivia and Jonathan take that away from you.  Don’t let them win.”

I flipped my hands upward, clasping his in mine.  While I still didn’t feel he was right about Olivia—I knew her too well to believe she’d devise such a malicious ploy to remove me from Drew’s life—I couldn’t deny what Jared said.  Drew had my heart.  I loved him.  And I knew what life without him was like.  It was misery.  A living hell I wasn’t willing to live through again.  It was time for me to stand and fight for my man.  Jonathan be damned.

“You’re the most selfless man I’ve ever met, and I want you to know I do love you, too.”  I pressed a tender kiss to his cheek, the taste of his tears against my lips.  “I promise, I won’t leave.”

His eyes closed tight, he let out a deep sigh.  “Thank you.”

I wrapped my arms around his neck.  The weight of the moment hung in the balance between us, anchoring us in time.  Truth be told, if Drew had never entered my life, I could’ve seen myself with Jared.  Aside from his charm, Jared had a heart the size of Texas, willing and open to love.  A little piece of me would be jealous of the woman who’d win his heart, but when that day came, I’d welcome her with open arms.  He deserved to be loved unconditionally.

I pulled back, smiling.  “Now, let’s talk about you and Andie.”  Bright red heat emblazoned his cheeks.  He turned away from me, a little flustered.  “She sure did seem interested.”

Jared’s eyelids fluttered.  “Whatever.  We both know I’m not her type.  She lives a very fast-paced life.  I’m too much of a homebody.  Besides, if Jonathan dislikes you, he’ll
hate
me.”

“But there was an undeniable spark,” I crooned, poking my finger into his ribs.

“Of lust, maybe.  Andie only wants me for some dirty wedding sex.”

“And what’s wrong with that?”

“Not a damn thing.”

“Hell, you could try to talk her into a threesome with Natasha,” I teased.

Jared rubbed his chin.  “That’s an idea.”

We grew quiet, content to sit in the silence of the evening.  I rested my temple on his shoulder as he placed his cheek against the crown of my head.

Before he said a word, I felt his presence.  “I thought I might find you both out here.” Drew sounded defeated, which broke me up inside.  “But if I’m interrupting…” his voice trailed off.

I lifted my head, glancing over my shoulder as Drew walked down the center aisle toward us.  Jared rushed his fingers through his hair, popping up from his seat.  “Not at all, man.  I was just checking on her.”

“Don’t get up on my account,” Drew implored, lowering his hands in a sitting motion.

“Nah.  I was about to head off anyway.  I think I’m going to call it a night.  I fear if I went back to the party, I’d punch that smug ass you call a father.”

Drew stepped into the second aisle, falling into the seat behind mine.  “If I didn’t think that smug ass would try to sue you for assault, I’d pay to watch you deck him.”

“It might be worth it,” Jared muttered.  He leaned down, pulling me into his arms, and placed a light kiss on my cheek.  “Remember what I said,” he whispered to me.

“I will,” I breathed.

Jared started down the aisle, his hands tucked into his pockets and his head hanging slightly.  I twisted around in my seat, tucking my leg up underneath me.

“Jared,” Drew called out.  Jared stopped, glancing back at us.  Drew gave him a quick nod.  A sincere smile lit up Jared’s handsome face.  He returned the nod and disappeared into the darkness.  I might not have understood what that was all about, but I had a sneaky suspicion that my Neanderthal and my best friend had finally come to terms with where each stood in my life, and a mutual respect was born between them.

“I’m sorry for walking out on ya back there.”

Drew inclined his head, his eyes reflecting understanding and remorse.  “Don’t be.  I’m sorry it took me so long to get out here.”

I dangled my arms over the back of my seat, reaching for him.  He met my waiting hands.  “That’s your family inside that house, Andy.  They only want the best for you.”

“And I have the best.”  He shook my hands.  “Right here with you.  You’re my home, my heart, my everything.  Without you, I’m nothing but an empty shell.  If you haven’t figure that out yet…”

“I know.  And I’m not going anywhere.”

He released my hand, raising his to stroke my cheek, staring deep into my eyes.  “I’m holding you to that.”

I leaned into his gentle touch.  “You better.”

“You want to get out of here?”

“Don’t you think someone will notice we’re missing?”

Drew stood up, offering me his hand.  “It doesn’t matter if they do or don’t.  I’m tired of hiding.  Let them find out.”

“Where will we go?”

“Back to my place, of course.”

How I wanted to say yes.  After everything that happened, I wanted nothing more than to be at his side, in his bed, making sweet love to him all night long.”

“Don’t think about.  Just say yes.”

I glanced down at his outstretched hand.  “Yes.”  Taking Drew’s hand, I walked with him, meeting at the center of the aisle.  He pulled me into his arms, kissing me as if no one could easily approach us.  I melted, giving into his passion.  With each passing second, his kiss grew more urgent.  Desire stirred deep inside me.  

He pulled back, smiled, and laced his fingers in mine. “I love you.”

I squeezed his hand, my kiss swollen lips breaking into a beaming smile.  “I love you more.”

We left that house with all the horrors it held for us that night and returned to his condo, where we spent the evening reminding each other how much we truly loved one another.