Page 31 of One Little Lie
“Pfft, Fibby. I’m eighty-two years old. I know lots of words.”
“That’s not, ah, that’s not what I meant.”
She winks, and my eyes widen in alarm. “I know it ain’t. Wanna know how I know?”
I shake my head because it’s too much of a coincidence that she’s given Rylan a name I gave her years ago.
“Well, I’ll tell ya anyway. I know because it’s the truth. I know it, you know it, and I think deep down, so does everyone else. The question is, what are you gonna do about it?”
“Nothing. I hurt her once. I won’t do it again.”
“What if pushing her away hurts worse than any lie you’ve ever told her?”
Her words seize the air in my lungs, and my palm involuntarily rubs the hollow spot in my aching chest. It’s becoming a habit I can’t break. Bowing my head, I squeeze my eyes tight as I attempt to regain control.
What if she’s hurting, too?
“Lovin’ someone the way you love that girl doesn’t have time limits, and the beautiful thing about love is it can heal all wounds. Even yours. Don’t ya think it’s time to stop punishing yourself?”
My head shakes no on its own accord. Apparently, I have no control over my body while in the throes of panic.
“If ya can’t do it for yourself, Fibby, maybe consider doin’ it for her. You might be surprised what you’ll get in return.”
“What does that mean?” I choke out.
“It means, if you start your day giving love, forgiveness, and kindness, you just might be shocked to see how quickly it boomerangs.” She pauses as she inspects me for so long I feel hot under her intense gaze. “If you knew she was suffering, what would you do to fix it?”
“Anything.” The answer is out of my mouth before I can think better of it.
“That’s what I thought, Fibby. Maybe the best thing you can do is forgive yourself enough to repair the friendship you once had. She’s worth the fight you’re battling within yourself, and if you’re honest, you’ll find your way.”
Her phone rings louder than any ringtone I’ve ever heard, and she pulls it from her pocket.
“Hello.”
Turning my back, I try to calm down before the heart palpitations I’m having give me a heart attack. Who knew one overactive organ could hurt so badly?
“Oh, yes. I have everything you’ll need. Betty Anne and I will pull it all together now. I knew ya boys would step up.” She cackles, and the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.
Daring a peek in her direction, I watch as she puts the phone back in her pocket with a troubling smile on her face.
“Well, Fibby. You have a family that loves you, a girl with a fractured heart, and a soul that needs mending. Trust your gut, and let the love in. I have to go call Betty Anne about … well, about some supplies.” She laughs again, and I get the feeling my world is about to be turned upside down.
Twenty minutes later, I find out why.
Preston, East, Dexter, Loki, and Ashton invade my sanctuary like a bunch of linebackers. I cross my arms over my chest in a protective stance. For some reason, I feel like I’ll need to guard myself.
“For crying out loud, Halt. We’ve been looking everywhere for you,” East barks.
All eyes are on the Betty Boop apron I’m wearing. “It was the only goddamn one I could find, okay?”
“What are you doing in here?” Preston glances around, and I’d bet money he’s never baked a cookie in his life. “Have you been making the cookies that keep turning up in the lounge?”
I shrug my shoulders because after GG’s damn truth wine, I’m not entirely sure where my creations went.
“Holy hell, Halton. You can bake, man. How come we never knew this?” Preston asks with disappointment in his voice. It’s a sentiment I’m becoming familiar with.
“Because I do it for myself. I do it because I like the exactness of it. I … sometimes I—”
