Page 42 of Pedal to the Metal

“No offense but that sounds like your father.” I tell him offering an apologetic smile.

He holds up his hands in surrender, “No offense taken, and it does sound like him aside from him caring about my mother and sisters. He doesn’t care about those things. Now that Londynn has finally gotten out from under them, I’m free to do as I wish.”I give him a questioning look and he continues. “When Farrah left, my parents felt like they lost control, so they took it out on Londynn and me. I knew that if I left like Farrah had done then it would be unbearable for Londynn, so I stayed and played by their rules because I knew eventually my baby sister would realize what she wanted out of life, and she’d break free.”

“That makes sense," I tell him while nodding my head in agreement. It’s nice to know that just because it seemed like he didn’t care that he had actually stayed around to help protect Londynn. At the same time, it’s sad that she’s lived her life believing that she only had Farrah and Vivienne when her brother was also there in a different way. It’s a shame that Duke Parrish might actually be a decent human being, yet his sisters believe the worse in him. Instead of encouraging him to tell them the truth I ask him what he wants to do with his life.

“I don’t have any desire to continue in law school, so I will drop out immediately. Then I will take my money and become the international entrepreneur that I’ve always dreamed about," he says, and I notice the faraway look that comes into his eyes.

“What about a family?”

He shakes his head. “No, it’s not for me. I won’t marry, and I won’t have kids. You know there’s something you have to understand about Londynn if you’re going to be with her. We’ve never actually seen a loving, functional relationship before. All we were surrounded by were couples that had been placed together because of what each family could gain. There was no love in any of them. There were lies, cheating and some form of self-medicating. Londynn yearns for that relationship that will be filled with love and romance. As well as someone who will love her for her. I know she acts older than what she is a lot of the time, but she’s bound to be inexperienced with relationships.”

As I mull over his words, I realize that he’s right. Londynn probably hasn’t seen a real relationship. I’ve watched one myentire childhood, my parents were madly in love until the day my mom passed away. Then I had went on and found one myself with Harlyn, but Londynn had only seen the worse of relationships. The only love she really understood was the kind that could be bought. I needed to remember that and have better patience, if she even still wanted me after tonight.

“So, do you know what’s going on between Alivia and Ryce and/or Creed?” Duke asks pulling me back into the present.

“What do you mean?”

He’s studying something behind me. “Well, I’ve been friends with Ryce a long time and I know when he’s hooking up with someone. I see that look when he looks at Alivia but then I’ve also spotted her all over the place with Creed, so I was curious if you knew what was going on.”

I sigh before deciding to tell him the truth. Besides from the sound of it he’s already figured it out. “The night Vivienne died, and Londynn had her break down she found Alivia, topless in Ryce’s lap.”

“What? Why would you say that Jagger?” I heard a very angry and hurt voice come from behind me. Ace and Bowie were by my side in no time but all I could think was, “Shit, Creed.”

Chapter 24

Jagger

I knew the minute I recognized the voice that I had made a huge mistake. Not only was this information going to upset Creed it could very well end any chance I had with Londynn. I know she wanted to be the one to tell him and this wasn’t my secret to tell, even to Duke. I turn around and face him, “Creed.”

“Why the hell are you lying on Alivia like that?” He says. The anger is evident in his voice.

I shake my head, “I’m not lying.” I notice Alivia standing off to the side looking shocked. “Ask her yourself," I tell Creed motioning towards Alivia.

He looks in Alivia’s direction and notices her shake her head. Wow! That girl is something and not in a good way. Creed takes a step towards me, “What Jagger? Do you think you’re the only one who can date someone above you? Do you think that gives you the right to lie about Alivia? To tarnish her name?” From the corner of my eye, I see Bowie move to defend me, but I place a hand on his arm to stop him.

“It’s not like that Creed. You need to calm down and listen to me.” I try to sound convincing because Creed has always been like another little brother to me and I really don’t want to fight him, but I will if I have to.

Creed is shaking his head vigorously. “Why? To listen to more of your lies? You’re a liar!”

“No! He’s not but Alivia is.” I don’t know where she is, but I hear her. Then the crowd that has built around us parts and Londynn walks through. She stops a few steps away from us. Alivia has also joined us on the other side of Creed. Londynn gives Creed an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry Creed but Jagger isn’t lying. Alivia did sleep with Ryce. The night Vivienne passedaway I went looking for her, but she wasn’t home. Her mom told me she had went out. So, I went to Ryce’s thinking that maybe this would be the moment that he’d become a decent boyfriend but of course I was wrong. No, going to Ryce’s just confirmed my suspicions that Ryce was a lying cheating bastard, but it also showed me a whole new side to Alivia. She was topless and straddling Ryce’s lap. I’m sorry Creed but she isn’t who you think she is.”

Creed turns around and stares at Alivia as if he’s seeing some sort of alien for the first time. “Is it true?”

Alivia looks down at the ground and slightly nods her head yes. Creed removes his glasses and rubs eyes harder than necessary. “How could you? How could you do that to Londynn? How could you do that with Ryce?” He asks saying Ryce’s name in disgust.

“I don’t know it just happened. I didn’t know that Londynn had seen us that night. I’m s---“

Creed cuts her off, “Are you still seeing him?”

Alivia looks up and there are tears streaming down her face. “Yes.” Ryce steps up and throws his arm around Alivia’s shoulders. She makes no move to shake it off which gives Creed all the answers he needs to know.

Creed slips his glasses back on then glares at both Alivia and Ryce. “We’re done. Don’t come crying to me when he screws you over because he will Alivia. But don’t you dare come to me because I won’t be there for you.” With that he turns and heads towards the crowd. Londynn reaches out for his arm, but he quickly yanks it away and tells her, “Don’t.”

When Londynn turns around, I see the hurt in her eyes. She looks at both me and Alivia and I’m not sure which of us hurt her worse. Her supposed to be best friend who slept with her boyfriend behind her back or the boyfriend that she trusted enough to confide in and just told one of her biggest secrets. Idon’t say anything because I have no right to speak. Whatever Londynn decides I’ll have to take because I’ve royally messed up here. Londynn looks back at Alivia. “He deserved so much better than that.”

“You knew all that time and didn’t say anything to him or me?” Alivia asks.

Londynn shakes her head. “Yes, I knew all that time, but I didn’t say anything because I thought youmightgrow a moral code or remorse and tell him yourself. Instead, you went on like nothing happened. You visited me every weekend for three months and played like nothing had happened. Like we were still just best friends, but you knew this big secret. I’m with Creed, we’re done.”

---