Page 87 of Bitter Lies

“Which is what?” he asks with furrowed brows.

“I need money, and Mom won’t let me have access to mine. I’ll pay you back, but it might be a while.”

“What do you need it for?”

“I just do,” I say stubbornly.

I’m expecting him to argue with me, demand to know why at the very least, which is why I’m surprised when he says, “Only if you help me with something.”

Shit. Of course, there are strings. Would my damn brother have it any other way?

“What?” I ask warily.

“We’re going to Griffin’s house on the lake for spring break. You’ll come with.”

“What? Why?”

“Because I need your help with something.”

“What?”

“You don’t need to know right now.”

“Max!”

“Do you want the money or not?” he demands.

“Griffin hates me. He’s not going to want me there,” I mutter.

“Whatever. I’ll tell him Mom said you needed to come.”

Eyeing him skeptically, I agree with a rock in my stomach because I don’t know where this is going, but I need that fucking money to protect myself.

Even as I can’t help but wonder what I’ve gotten myself into.

∞∞∞

Spring break rolls around far too quickly for my liking, and I admit, part of me hoped Griffin would refuse to allow me to come, but my prayers went unanswered, and here I am, driving in his fucking vehicle again.

This time, there’s a brunette bimbo with huge tits chattering beside me, and if I weren’t completely freaked-out about what I agreed to, which I still don’t know, I’d probably be more annoyed by her presence.

Although by the time the five-hour ride comes to an end, I’m definitely annoyed. Still, I brood sourly and avoid looking at Griffin, who gave me a cold smile and proceeded to act like an obnoxious shit the entire way.

When we switched out drivers at the halfway point, he pulled the bitch onto his lap and, if I’m not mistaken, fucked her while Max and I sat in the front seats.

To say it was massively uncomfortable would be an understatement, and my teeth were gritted the entire time as I fought back the jealousy and hurt circling my chest.

This is what I get for trying to protect myself, and only the knowledge that I’m moving forward with my plan makes the sting a little easier to bear.

But now I’ve got a week of torture ahead of me because no doubt Griffin plans to bang every chick in sight.

If I had the balls, I’d consider doing the same but remind myself this is how I got here in the first place, and it’s not a fun fucking place to be.

∞∞∞

I’ve never been to Griffin’s house by the lake, so it’s with some awe that I take it in when we approach. It’s massive, with floor-to-ceiling windows on both sides of the main level of the house, which means I can see the lake through the interior as we park.

With two stories, a beautiful wraparound porch, and a dock leading to a boat, it’s far more decadent than I was expecting.

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