Page 58 of Tell Me All Your Lies

“Can I get either of you a beer?”

“That’d be great,” I answer.

I set down the bag of pies that we still have to share with the other neighbors. Brad walks over to his cooler and pulls out two cans of beer and hands one to each of us.

“Thank you,” Cara says.

“Of course.”

Brad takes a seat on the opposite side of where Cara and I both sat down.

I crack open my beer, and Cara does the same.

“How has life been, man? What have you been up to?” Brad asks.

“A little this, a little that,” I answer.

“Right. Still the same, I see.”

“Well, he did also get married,” Cara chimes in.

“That he did!” Brad shouts.

Brad focuses his attention on Cara, who is showing off her wedding rings.

“That’s a beaut. Looks a lot like the diamonds I’ve seen recently,” he mumbles, almost to himself.

The illegal diamond trade. I don’t think Brad intended to say that out loud.

“She deserves the best. How the hell else can someone like me get a girl like this?” I say, trying to distract him.

“I’ve been asking myself that since she stepped out here next to you,” he says with a laugh.

Noelle comes out with the burgers. She walks over to the grill and sets the plate down on the side. Brad gets up to join her there and starts to cook our burgers and plate theirs.

“Thanks for doing this,” Cara says.

“Sweetie, of course. We are just so pleased to have y’all here!” Noelle answers.

Brad concentrates on the grill as Noelle takes the two ready burgers and puts them on the patio dining table.

“Do you have plans for this weekend yet? You have to attend the neighborhood barbecue. It’ll be a great opportunity to meet everyone.”

“When is it?” Cara asks.

“Saturday. One o’clock at Ms. Miller’s house right down the road.”

“Ms. Miller?”

Noelle’s facial expression flusters slightly before going back to her previously friendly demeanor.

“Yes, she basically runs the neighborhood,” she answers with a fake laugh.

“She’s actually on my list to bring a pie to,” Cara says.

“I wouldn’t go over there unannounced. If you can bring one on Saturday, I’m sure she would love the gesture.”

“We’ll do that then. Thank you for the tip,” Cara answers.

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