Page 20 of Reckless Liar

“That’s not what it looks like. Taking her out to dinner, wearing a tie and shit. I know you always had a thing for her, but this is messed up. It looks like you’re going after Max’s leftovers.”

Xander stepped forward, crowding Peter’s space. “You need to stop talking. Right now.”

Peter always talked a big game, but he was six inches shorter than Xander and had no bulk on his body. He was always a skinny little guy. I hadn’t seen Xander fight in years, but I knew he’d have the upper hand. Stepping out of the truck, I walked to where they were standing. I put my hand on Xander’s chest, pushing him away.

“Knock it off. Both of you.” I scolded. “Xander, let’s go home.”

Peter laughed, “You guys live together?”

Xander tensed his jaw and looked away.

“It’s none of your business, Peter. We haven’t seen you since the funeral. You don’t get to comment on our lives,” I snapped.

He ignored me, staring at Xander over my shoulder. “Man, I’m telling you. Going out to dinner, living together. Doesn’t look like nothing to me.”

“Go back in the restaurant, Peter. Get back to your date before her daddy comes to fetch her for missing her curfew,” I told him, pushing his shoulder softly toward the building.

Peter put his hands up in surrender as he backed up. “It doesn’t look good. I’d think about what you’re doing.”

Xander’s fists were clenched at his sides as he glowered at the door. I set a hand on his arm. “Hey.”

He didn’t respond to me. I slid my hand down to his hand, grabbing his fist, pulling it up between us. He looked down at me. “Sorry. I hate that guy sometimes.”

“I know. But it’s too cold to be standing out here glaring at the door. Let’s go home.”

His face relaxed and he squeezed my hand back. “Okay.”

He held my door open for me, helping me climb into the passenger seat, before taking his spot beside me.

“He’s right, you know,” I said, staring out the windshield. Xander began to drive away from the curb. “About how things look. He’s not the first one to say something about us living together.”

“Who cares what Peter thinks, Ana? He’s an asshole.”

“It’s not just Peter.” I paused as the thought came to my mind. “What will people think of us? I don’t want people getting the wrong idea.”

Xander tightened his grip on the steering wheel. “What idea is that?”

“That we’re together. People are going to talk and make it sound like...”

“Who cares what people think?”

“I do. You know I do. It’s awful, but I care. I don’t like thinking someone out there doesn’t like me, or they think I didn’t love Max. I can’t have anyone question that.”

“No one would question how much you cared about Max. That’s ridiculous,” he scolded.

“No, it’s not! I’m going to date, eventually. Everyone says I’m going to have to move on.”

He was silent for a while. All we had was the sound of gravel hitting the bottom of his truck. He reached over and grabbed my hand. I squeezed him back.

“I’m sorry the night had to end like that for you.” He pulled into his parking spot, using his other hand to shift the truck into park. The truck was silent for a moment, and I moved to grab the door handle before Xander spoke again.

“You’d tell me if you didn’t enjoy spending time with me, right?” he asked softly. “Just because we live together doesn’t mean you have to hang out with me all the time.”

“Of course. I love being with you. You and Scarlett are my family.”

I opened the door and climbed out of the truck. He joined me on the walkway to our apartment.

“Family?” he asks.

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