The Truth Be Told (The Truth in Lies Saga #3) (23 page)

“That’s understatement,” he muttered, popping back the drink.

“Here on business?”

“Amongst other things.”  I pressed my lips to the highball glass, humming my understanding.  “You ever wish you could have a do-over of a day, maybe even a year?  Like every choice you made only created a deeper and deeper pit for you to fall farther into?” he asked.  As I was about to answer, he turned his head to look at me.  His brow furrowed.  “Don’t I know you?”

I placed my glass back on the bar.  “I think so.  You’re Nate, right?”

He snapped his fingers, shaking his thumb and index finger at me.  “Yeah.  And you’re Drew.  McKenzie’s boyfriend.  We met in Boston.”

“That’s right.  Small world.”

He scratched his nose with his thumb.  The bartender instantly poured him another shot.  “Are you staying at this hotel?  Is McKenzie here?”

I took a sip of my drink, my throat feeling tight and sore.  “I’m meeting a client.  He’s staying here.”

“Gotcha.”  He took another shot, and something in me felt the urge to continue on about my fictional client.

“Yeah.  It’s going to be an interesting case.  You see,” I scooted down a seat closer to Nate, taking my drink with me, “some years back, he made a fortune.  He was young and stupid, so he indulged in the finer things in life.”  I chuckled and sipped my drink.  “Well, he started dating his soon-to-be ex-wife, and for him it was just for fun.  He never intended on getting married or having kids.  He liked to travel and experience life.  So when he told her that their fun was over, she led him believe she was pregnant with his child.  Him, being a man of honor, married her and accepted the child as his own.  Archaic, I know, but I have to give him credit for taking responsibility.”

“Noble,” Nate muttered.

“Very.  It’s been five years, and last month, his daughter became sick and needed a blood transfusion.  During routine testing for viable donors, it was discovered that his daughter wasn’t his at all.  For the last five years, he’d been raising another man’s child.  His wife had lied to him all that time.  Even though she was sleeping with another man at the same time she and my client were together, she claims she did all of this because she was in love with my client and couldn’t let him go.  

“To make matters worse, the other man had no clue the baby even existed.  We recently located the biological father.  He’s devastated because he always wanted a family of his own and it was stolen from him by this woman and her greed.”

I downed the rest of my drink and tapped the brim for the bartender to bring me another.

Nate stared down at his glass and traced the rim with his finger.  He tilted his head, casting a quick glance in my direction.  Loosening his tie revealed the tight bob of his Adam’s apple when he swallowed.  His lips parted.  He acted as if he wanted to say something, but he clamped his mouth closed, slightly shaking his head as if to talk himself out of saying anything.  

The bartender left me another glass of cranberry juice.  I stood up, removed my jacket, and slipped into the seat beside Nate.  “You look like you need to talk.  I’ve been told I’m a great listener.”  I reached for my glass, bringing it to my lips.  My stomach was doing somersaults.  This was worse than going into court knowing one’s client is guilty.

Nate chuckled, glancing down at the tiny cylinder that held a temporary relief to his problems.  “People pay you good money to listen.”

“That’s true, but I’m good at what I do.”

He picked up the shot glass and knocked it back.  The glass made a loud clunk as it hit the bar.  “I have no doubt about that, but I don’t require your services.”

Certain he needed to talk but was conflicted, I reached around to my jacket and removed my wallet from the interior breast pocket.  From it, I extracted a hundred dollar bill and my business card.  I placed the money under my glass and slipped Nate my business card.  “My personal cell number is on there.  If you change your mind and want to talk, feel free to call me.  Day or night.”  

He tapped the card with two fingers.  “Thanks, but I doubt I’ll need it.”

“You’re welcome.”  I stood up, slipped my jacket back on, and clapped Nate on the shoulder.  “It’s there either way.  It was nice talking to you, Nate.”

“You, too.”

As I walked out of the bar, I pulled out my cell phone and scrolled through my contact list, finding the number I needed.  It rang twice and a groggy Ethan answered.

“Just five more minutes, Mom.” he grumbled.

“Sorry to bother you, but I need you to clear my schedule for tomorrow.”

“All day?”

“All day.”

“Everything all right?”

I stepped outside the hotel and looked up at the sky.  The dark clouds started to part and a sliver of moonlight shone through.  “Couldn’t be better.”  And that was the truth.  It was no mere coincidence that I was in that hallway tonight. Nor was it fortuitous that I found Nate at the bar.  The world was aligning itself for something big.  I had my hunches as to what was about to happen, but for now, all I could do was wait and hope that Nate would take the bait.

McKenzie

“Fine.  Go,” Olivia huffed.  “It’s not like I’m on bed rest or anything.”  She threw her arms in the air.  “Maybe we should’ve hired a nurse.  At least she wouldn’t feel the need to go off gallivanting with her
boyfriend
every time he called.”

“Liv, that’s not fair.”  I closed the refrigerator door, having just put away the tea pitcher she’d left out on the counter.  “I’m not gonna be gone long.  I’m just running up the street to Starbucks.”

“Right.  Just Starbucks.  You know, there’s a hotel next door.  Why don’t you have a quick fuck while you’re at it.”

She stomped off to her room, slamming the door so hard it rattled the whole apartment.  When I returned from the store the night before, something had changed in her.  I couldn’t put my finger on it, but every minor thing seemed to set her off.  No matter how many times I offered her an ear, she refused to let me in.  It probably would’ve been wise to let her be, but I hated leaving without giving her one last chance.  I rapped on her door.  “Liv, talk to me.  What’s got you so upset?”

I could hear her moving across the hardwood floors.  The door flung open and Olivia was suddenly nose to nose with me.  “You want to know what’s wrong?  I’ll tell you.  Rather than coming here to visit with the mother of his child, Drew would rather meet you in a discrete location so he doesn’t have to deal with me.  I’m sick of being the third wheel.”

“That’s not true.  He’s meeting with a client there and asked me to stop by.”

“So I’m not invited,” she snapped.

“Like you said, you’re on bed rest.  He’ll come by tonight after work.”

Olivia rolled her eyes.  She marched over to her bed and flopped down, leaving me standing there uncertain or whether or not I should follow.  “Like he was supposed to last night?  He conveniently had a client then, too.”

 I rested my hands on the doorframe, my chin dropping to my chest.  “I’m sorry.  What can I say to make this better?”

“That you’re not going.”

“But I already told him I would.”

“So?”

I shook my head, moving away from the frame.  “I can’t do that.  I can bring you something back if you’d like.”

With a snide snort, she leered at me.  Her anger burned with such intensity I was forced to drop my eyes. “So much for fixing our friendship,” she sneered, crossing her arms over her chest.  “I should’ve known better.  It’s all been an act for Drew’s sake.”

My throat constricted and unshed tears burned my eyes.  “That’s not fair!” I cried.  “I’ve done everything you’ve asked since I came back here.  I’ve neglected him, devoting all my…”

“Please.  Like you two aren’t doing things behind my back.  I can hear you giggling late at night with him.”

I pushed my glasses up the bridge of my nose, anger and discouragement building inside me.  “He’s my boyfriend, Liv.”

Her mouth twitched into a sinister smile.  “And he’s my baby’s father.”

And once again, there was the point of it all.  She had something with him that I didn’t.  Not that I wouldn’t one day.  Drew and I talked a lot, that was true, and in one of those conversations we discussed our future and kids.  Even though he was afraid of failing his future children, as he felt he did with Autumn, he still wanted them.  No matter how much I tried to make him see he never failed his daughter, there were some wounds that would simply take time to heal.

“I’m gonna go,” I whispered.

“You do that.”

Swallowing hard, I closed her bedroom door behind me.  I attempted to remind myself she didn’t mean it.  That before last night we seemed to be working through our issues.  But even that didn’t take the pain away.  Her words cut me deep, and they ran over and over through my mind as I walked to the coffee shop.

In the air, the smell of summer rain mixed with the salty scent of the gulf.  Palm trees glistened in the soft rays of sunlight that broke through the dark clouds.  Puddles of water scattered across the ground.  A light breeze whisked around me, causing me to shiver.  I fought the urge to cry as I recalled how I’d come home the night before, drenched after running to the grocery store for Olivia, and she failed to even care that I might get sick.  All that mattered was her craving.

I rounded the corner and stopped in front of Starbucks, glancing through the tinted window before entering the facility.  I spotted Drew sitting at a table near the back corner.  One arm stretched over the back of his chair and the other extended out in front of him, his hand wrapped around a coffee cup.  He wore a black henley with distressed jeans and flip-flops, which struck me odd, because that wasn’t his typical business attire.  I searched my memory, certain that he’d told me he’d be meeting a client as well, but figured my fatigue and distress may have distorted my recollection.

Drew glanced in my direction.  He noticed me, his smile widening across his handsome face.  I adjusted my glasses, then wiggled my fingers in a brief, shy wave.  He stood up and flicked two fingers at me, wanting me to join him.  Just seeing him made me feel a hell of a lot better.  There was no way I could tell him anything Olivia had said before I left, but at least I had his warm embrace and sweet kiss to eliminate the testy mood she’d put me in.

I flung my hair back off my neck, gripped the metal door handle, and tugged it open.  The fantastic aroma of fresh coffee beans and sugar engulfed me.  I took a big whiff, savoring the deliciousness of the fragrance.

“Mickie,” Drew called out, waving at me.

I pointed to the front, indicating my need for coffee.  He nodded and met me at the end of the line.  His arms circled around me, pulling me into a tight hug.  Our lips met in a kiss that could ignite the skies.  This was exactly what I needed.  My fingers curled into the hair at the nape of his neck.  It had grown an inch or two since we got back, and I made him promise never to cut it that short ever again.  He pulled back, his cocky smirk and deep dimples teasing me to take things further.  The barista cleared her throat.  I turned around, a little embarrassed at what she’d just witnessed.

Drew nuzzled the side of my neck as I placed my order.  The warmth of his breath on my skin felt mystical, but it also tickled.  I squirmed and giggled, forcing him to tighten his hands around my waist.  He walked behind me to the bar and waited with me until the barista handed me my drink.  

Back at the table, Drew scooted my chair close to him, his hand resting on my thigh.  We talked a few moments about the weather and about how he’d heard from Gavin.  They were coming home in the next week.  I told him about Jared and how he was to return home over the weekend.  Drew never mentioned Olivia, and for once I was glad.

Drew glanced down at his watch.  “Okay, Mick, I feel I need to warn you…”

“Hmm?”  I sipped my coffee, peering up at him.

“…about my client.  He’ll be here any moment, and…”

The glass door opened and a warm breeze rushed in.  I glanced in the direction of the newcomer, not even thinking about what I was doing.  A tall man with reddish brown hair, wearing sunglasses, entered the facility.  I did a double take, realizing who this man was.  “Andy,” I pointed, cutting him off, “look.  It’s Nate.”  I grabbed Drew by the arm, giving it a quick shake.  His lips flattened in a thin line as I smiled and waved at my ex-fiancé.

Nate lowered his sunglasses.  His swollen, bloodshot eyes found mine for a moment, then he pushed the glasses back up his nose.  He gave me a slight nod and got in line to make his order.

“Wow, talk about a small world,” I stated, leaning back in my chair, nestling up to Drew.  While he wrapped his arm around me, he now felt stiff and a little standoffish.  “Andy?”

“I was trying to tell you, Nate’s my new client.”

“What?  When did this happen?”

“It hasn’t happened quite yet.  He called me this morning, requesting to see me…to see us.  He wants to hire me, but he wanted to tell us something, together, before he acquired my services.”

I rubbed my hand along my jaw.  “Why would he need family counsel?”

“I have my suspicions.”  Drew twirled a strand of my hair around his finger.  “You see, I ran into him…”

“Drew.  McKenzie,” Nate greeted us, interrupting Drew.

I looked at Drew, then up to Nate.  This felt off.  Something wasn’t right.  Out of kindness, I stood up and gave Nate a hug.  “Hi.  It’s good to see you again.”

He wrapped his free arm around me, holding me tight to his chest.  The familiar scent of his cologne jogged my memory.  Nate and I might’ve ended on somewhat bad terms, but that didn’t mean I stopped caring for him.  He was a good man, and I knew one day he’d find the right girl that would make him want to settle down.  I simply wasn’t that girl.  “It’s good to see you, too.  You look amazing.”  He released me.  I returned to my seat next to Drew, and Nate sat down across from me.  He reached out and shook hands with Drew.  “Thank you for agreeing to this.  I know it’s unorthodox, but what I have to say and why I asked for McKenzie to be here will make sense very soon.”

“I’m sure it will,” Drew replied.

Overall, Nate looked terrible.  Facial hair darkened his jaw and his normally sculpted hair was a wild mess.  He was dressed similar to Drew—jeans and a t-shirt—but his were a bit wrinkled, probably from being smashed into a suitcase.  He removed his sunglasses and dropped them on the table.  I winced at how irritated his eyes looked.

“I’m going to skip formalities here,” he started.  “What I need to say has to be said now before I lose my nerve.”

Drew drummed his fingers on the table.  “Should I be taking notes?”

Nate shook his head.  “You won’t forget this, I promise.”

I leaned forward, reaching for Nate’s hand.  He moved back from me, his eyes cast down at the table.  “Nate, what’s wrong?  Are you in trouble?”

He reached one hand up over his chest, rubbing his shoulder.  “Sadly, I am.  But not the kind of trouble you might be thinking.”  The desperation in his eyes was evident.

“Whatever it is, we’ll help,” I proclaimed.

Nate looked up at me, his eyes watering.  “That’s if you don’t hate me after you hear what I’ve got to say.”  He held his coffee cup suspended between the table and his mouth, contemplating his next words.  Placing the cup on the table, he leaned forward, resting his weight on his elbows, both hands linked around the cup.  “Let me first start by telling you both how truly sorry I am.  I’m an ass.  More than that.  I’m the dingleberry that hangs off an ass.”

“Nate, stop,” I cautioned.

“McKenzie, that’s one of the things I always loved about you.  It pains you to see others hurt, even when they deserve it.  You have a heart of gold.”  His lips pursed and he took in a deep breath, blinking several times.  “I guess the best place to start is after we broke up.”

Drew rested his hand on the back of my seat and pulled us closer to the table.  My legs bounced underneath it, my toes pressed hard against the floor.  This whole thing made me nervous.

“When we broke up, I’d like to say I was devastated, but I wasn’t.  Don’t get me wrong.  I was hurt and I didn’t want to lose you, but it came almost as a relief when you left.  I didn’t have to pretend anymore.  Sure, I did what any normal man would do—calling, begging, etcetera—but in my heart, I couldn’t deny you’d done the right thing by dumping my ass.  I didn’t deserve you.”

Drew slowly trailed his thumb along my neck down to my shoulders.  The repetitive motion felt good and eased my nerves some.

“When you refused to reconcile, my pride was more hurt than my heart.  I threw myself into work.  It’s the only thing I’ve ever been good at, and the only thing I’ve ever loved.  I didn’t give you a second thought.  I was free and I loved it.  That was until I saw you on the beach with your parents and Drew.”  Nate looked between Drew and me, then returned his focus back to his cup.  “When you finally agreed to meet with me, I’d promised myself I’d win you back.  In my mind, we deserved another try, and Drew was nothing more than a rebound guy.”

“But things didn’t go as planned,” Drew noted, his voice almost eerily calm.  For the first time since we got together, my Neanderthal didn’t rear his vicious head.  The green-eyed monster that always lingered inside Drew had been tamed.

Nate shook his head.  “No.  She rejected me.  I kissed her and she pushed me away.”

Drew squeezed my shoulder.  I’d never told him the details about occurred between Nate and me that night.  It didn’t seem pertinent at the time.  We weren’t together.  I blushed and reached for Drew’s hand, bringing it down to the table, clasping it with mine.

“It was then,” Nate continued, “that I accused her of sleeping with you.  If she didn’t want me, that was the only other alternative.”

“We weren’t,” I whispered.

“I know.”

I cocked my head to the side.  “You do?  How?”

“Because that same night you rejected me, Drew rejected Olivia.”

I bent my neck to look at Drew.  “Is that true?”

He looked down at our linked hands.  “She showed up uninvited.  I was arguing with her when you called.  When you hung up so abruptly, I reacted in anger.  I told her to get out of my house.”

“She ended up at Finn Daddy’s that night,” Nate added.  “I went there after McKenzie left my place, needing to blow off some steam.  We bumped into each other and started talking.  One thing led to another, and well…”