Page 7 of One Little Lie
“What do you mean?”
“Beast! Did he drink GG’s wine? It’s probably not even legal. No one should be drinking GG’s wine!”
Beast? Is she calling Easton Beast?That’s … interesting.
He cringes in response, then gets defensive. “Don’t you think that’s something you should have—I don’t know—maybe mentioned?”
“What’s up, guys?” Colt asks, finally leaving the dance floor and whatever local he was swinging around.
“Wh—” Burp. “Why didn’t you dance with my Rylan?” Hatty slurs.
My Rylan.
I don’t think anyone notices until I make eye contact with Lexi, and she crosses her arms, not even trying to conceal a grin that says ‘gotcha’.
“Ryguy was having girl time. Plus, the girl on the dance floor is hot, Halt. Like, incinerate my clothes hot.”
I never wanted Colton to see me as hot, but being dismissed so easily stings a little.
“But Rylan is … is …”
Lexi jumps forward before Hatty can say another word.
“Holy shit.” Colt grins. “Is Halton drunk? I never thought I’d live to see the day.”
“Er, not exactly.” Lexi grimaces.
We all turn to her.
“He probably only had half a glass, but his lips will be loose for a while.” She gives me a knowing glance, and my spine stiffens. “And he won’t remember any of this tomorrow, or the next day, but it might come back to him slowly.”
“What the hell did he drink?” Colton’s shoulders shake with laughter.
“GG’s wine. I thought for sure we’d convinced her not to make this shit anymore.”
“What in God’s name is in it?” Easton barks, dumping Halton in the chair next to me.
Hatty grins, and I attempt to shift my chair away, but Lexi’s foot stops me from moving.
She stares straight at me and laughs. “She calls it her truth wine.”
My eyes go wide as I feel fingers twirling a strand of my hair. Slowly, painfully, time stands still as I turn my head to the left.
With ice-blue eyes a little too cloudy, Hatty smiles his hello. “I’ve missed you, my verity.”
My body trembles and I’m frozen to the spot. Tunnel vision erases everything but those two blue eyes, so open and honest right now. I’m transported back in time, almost ten years, and my heart stops. One missing beat. Two missing beats. Three missing beats, and then ten years and one day comes crashing into me like a tsunami, and all the pain he caused is fresh again.
“I …” My gasp for air is so forceful Lexi can hear it over the band. Her face morphs from playful to concerned before I can blink, and her entire persona changes. Gone is the teasing ballbuster, and in her place is a fierce protector.
At this moment, I realize Lexi has more layers than the earth, and she hides them all in self-preservation. Perhaps we’re more alike than I gave us credit for.
“Oh, shit.” Leaning down, she places two hands on my shoulders and pulls me in close. “I don’t know what the fuck is going on with the two of you, but whatever pain just ran through your mind cannot hurt you again. You hear me?”
I nod foolishly. I’m incapable of doing anything else.
Easton stares between the two of us, and everyone scatters, but it’s like I’m in slow motion being guided out the door by Lexi with Colton, Seth, and the others ushering Hatty behind us.
“Put him in GG’s truck with us, Easton.”
