Page 47 of Living Hell

FIFTEEN

Tyler

“OH MY GOD, THAT’S INCREDIBLE, Jake. Mmm,” I heard Iona say as I came down the stairs.

As I moved closer to the kitchen, there was a moan and finally, “You are wicked, you dirty man.” Iona’s laughter had the hairs on the back of my neck rising. It was deep, sensual, and I thought used only to seduce me.

“I knew you’d love it.”

“How do you get your nuts so juicy? I didn’t know that was even possible.”

My heart pounded as I clenched my fist. How could they do that to me? My brother and my fiancée. I mean, she’s not really my fiancée, but he doesn’t know that.

“What the hell are you two doing—” I stopped when I turned the corner of the kitchen. The scene I saw was revolting. Bile crept up my throat and I hoped I wouldn’t throw up. Something dark brown coated Iona’s lips and Jake had it dribbled down his chin.

“Want some of my famous brownies?”

“Brownies?” I asked, still surprised it wasn’t what I thought. My God, if they had been doing what I thought they had been doing, I don’t think I could be in the same room with them ever again.

Jake lifted a tray with dark gooey brownies. A few were missing and I assumed in their stomachs.

“No, thank you. I haven’t had dinner and I only allow myself one indulgence a week.” I patted my stomach and moved toward the refrigerator.

After we showed my brother the ring, he made jokes at my expense about being cheap. He had never seen Grandma’s ring and had no idea that was what I gave Iona. To my surprise, Iona defended me and said she loved it.

I spent the rest of the day at work. They were home alone. I had just returned and went upstairs to change. I was hungry but not enough to ruin my appetite.

“I forgot you eat like a bird,” Jake mumbled in between bites of his dessert.

Grabbing the milk from inside the fridge, I turned back and placed it on the island. They were still munching down on the other side.

“And you eat like a caveman. Though, I don’t think cavemen had brownies.”

“I’ll have you know they aren’t all sugar. I sprinkle some protein powder in them.”

How much protein does a person need? No wonder he looked like He-Man.

“Now that you both are here, I feel there’s something I need to get off my chest,” Jake said as he stepped closer.

“To me?” Iona asked.

“To both of you.” Jake pointed to us. “It’s something that might help clear up a few things.” Jake sighed. “Now that you two are back together, I feel I owe it to you to let you know the truth . . .”

My brother was never serious—everything was always fun and light-hearted with him. This couldn’t be good.

“You know how you lost the phone at the edge of town after the dance your senior year?”

I felt heat crawl up my neck as I nodded.

“Well, you didn’t lose it. Dad sold it to Keaghan Bailey for money. I heard Dad on the phone one day when I got home early from school. I don’t know how it went down but I know Keaghan offered him a replacement and paid him, too. Dad even thanked him for pre-programming in a few numbers for him. Which I thought was weird, but it was Dad, so I knew not to question him for fear I’d be dragged to jail for being an accessory.”

Now it all made sense. I didn’t fat-finger Iona’s number, Keaghan put it in wrong.

“So, it was Keaghan who messed up the number. And all these years, I thought you hated me. One more reason to hate the mayor.”

“Ugh. How did that sleazebag ever get elected?” She groaned and licked her fingers.

“How do you think? His usual ways—bullying people to vote for him and donate to his campaign.”

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