Look At Me While You Lie

Kade

God, Sora is like a junkie addicted to Cameron and for some fucked up reason it doesn’t irritate me nearly as much as I think it should, instead it makes me jealous.

I want to be her addiction, I want her to need me a hell of a lot more than she needs Cam.

“You’re awfully quiet.”

Her voice pulls me out of my thoughts, though she doesn’t bother lifting her head from the laptop she’d buried herself in the minute we got back from the grocery store.

I rest my jaw against my hand, my gaze dropping to her thighs from where I’m sprawled across the recliner.

Fuck.

She’s hot.

So fucking hot.

Her tank top clings to every curve, her hair tied into a messy ponytail with those two white streaks framing her face just the way I like. My cock gives an appreciative twitch, proving it’s just as interested as I am.

“Knew the day you’d beg to hear my voice was coming.” I smirk, sinking further into the recliner.

She finally looks up, a scowl already pulling at her lips.

“You wish. I was just surprised you’ve managed to keep your mouth shut about me still staying with Cam.”

“I don’t think that’s any of my business.”

I push myself off the chair before my eyes linger too long on her thighs and head for the bar instead, pouring myself a drink without taking my eyes off her. I’m already battling with the memories of last night. She has me almost eating out of her palm.

“That’s new. You always find yourself knee-deep in my business.”

“Yeah, no.” I take a sip. “I’m not going to be your therapist for your relationship with my brother.”

She lets the laptop slide onto the couch beside her before turning fully toward me.

“You think I’m being stupid for still staying, don’t you?”

“You said it yourself.” I shrug. “And no, I won’t be the one to either concur with that or deny it. Not my circus, not my problem.”

Her chest rises and falls with a slow, controlled breath, but I can already see the anger brewing behind those pretty eyes. I don’t know why the sight does it for me, but it does. Fucking adorable.

“You are an asshole, Kade. I hope you know that.”

“I’ve always known.”

She mutters something under her breath before grabbing the laptop again, going right back to scheduling my meetings like she hasn’t just called me every name under the sun.

My phone buzzes against the counter.

I glance at the screen and the name staring back at me almost knocks the air clean out of my lungs.

I look over at Sora.

“I’ll be in the office.”

She doesn’t question it, already lost in whatever she’s typing, and I’m grateful for it because the second I step into my study and shut the door behind me, my grip tightens around the phone.

I take one steadying breath before answering.

“What do you want?”

A deep chuckle rumbles through the phone and I grit my teeth.

Fuck.

“That’s no way to speak to your old man, son.” His rusty voice grates against my ears, making my fingers tighten around the phone. Every instinct screams at me to hurl the damn thing across the room.

I hate him.

I hate his fucking guts.

I hate that half my DNA belongs to the bastard.

“My bad.” I let out a dry laugh. “Can we start over? I think I need to rehearse my lines better.” I clear my throat theatrically. “‘Good evening, Dad. To what do I owe the displeasure?’”

He lets out a dry laugh and I frown, how the fuck did he even get this number?

At this rate I’d have to change my phone every other month because of one obsessive bastard.

“A little birdie tells me you’re back in town terrorizing your little brother, and my poor heart just couldn’t handle being the last to know.”

I roll my eyes. “Still making everything about yourself, I see.”

“I learned from the best.” His chuckle is low, almost amused. “What can I say? I’m a proud father.”

“Cut the bullshit, Vaughn.” I lean against the desk, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Why are you calling me?”

The humor drains from his voice so fast it’s almost unsettling.

“Just because I’ve let you off the hook once or twice doesn’t mean you’ve earned the right to disrespect me, little boy.”

“There he is.” A bitter smile tugs at my lips. “The narcissistic asshole I remember.”

I hear him sigh from the other end.

“I didn’t call to trade insults with you.” He pauses just long enough to piss me off. “I hear you’ve been terrorizing your little brother.”

Twenty-four hours, that’s  all I fucking ask.

Twenty-four hours without hearing that piece of shit’s name. Would be great if it was more.

“He wishes.” I scoff. “I don’t give a shit about the coward.”

“And yet you’re parading his best friend around town like she’s your woman.”

“I am—”

He cuts me off before I can finish.

“As I said, I’m not calling to argue.” His voice turns cold. “I expect you home this weekend, and you can bring your new little toy with you. I’d like to see what’s got the both of you so eager to disgrace the Black name in public.”

My grip tightens around the phone. “She’s not a toy, and I’m not coming. I’ve got a race this weeke—”

“I don’t care.”

The words are calm, almost bored of the conversation.

“You’ll be here by the weekend, or we both know who’s going to suffer the consequences of your disobedience.”

My jaw locks. “Asshole.”

He chuckles. “Call me whatever helps you sleep at night. Just don’t be late.”

The line goes quiet for a second before he speaks again.

“Oh, and grab a bottle of wine on your way over.”

The call ends.

I stare at the black screen for a long moment before hurling the phone across the office. It slams against the wall with a satisfying crack.

A soft voice cuts through my breakdown. “I’m not a huge fan of men with anger issues.”

My eyes land on Sora, she’s  standing by the door, her gaze darting between the shattered phone on the floor and me.

Fuck.

I’d completely forgotten she was here.

I shut my eyes, willing my breathing to steady, but all I hear is Vaughn’s voice echoing inside my head.

New toy.

We both know who’s going to suffer the consequences.

God.

I’ve backed myself into a fucking corner, I have to go home, even if it’s the last place on earth I want to be.

“Are you okay?”

Her voice is quieter this time, laced with something that almost sounds like concern.

I don’t open my eyes, I don’t think I can handle seeing her look at me like that. With pity.

“I’m good.” I clear my throat before walking over to the shelves, pretending to rearrange a couple of racing trophies. “Why are you here?”

“You’re not even going to look at me while you lie?”

My fingers still around one of the trophies.

God, not now.

Please, Sora.

“Lie about what?”

“You’re upset.” She gestures toward the broken phone. “I mean… I don’t think phones usually explode on their own.”

I let out a slow breath, my grip tightening around the trophy before I force myself to set it back exactly where it belongs.

“The phone stopped working.” I shrug, keeping my back to her. “You going to answer my question or not?”

Silence stretches between us, long enough that I almost believe she’s given up and walked away.

I still don’t turn around, I don’t deserve to.

More importantly… I don’t trust myself to.

“Shawn wanted to know when we’d arrive.”

Fuck.

I’d forgotten about that too.

“I’ll be out in a minute.”