My Aussie Guy - Liz Lovelock Page 0,13

reason, and I have to stick to it.

After we had lunch today, she had to leave to do homework, and I needed to get in contact with her as my tutor, only she shouldn’t know it’s me. Well, I hope she doesn’t. Thankfully, she didn’t ask me about signing up to her services today. I, for sure, thought she would have. I have to have this English essay handed in over the next couple of weeks, and I haven’t done much work on it, just typed out what I thought was somewhere near right and that’s it. Now, I’ve found out that to continue on the basketball team, my grades need to be up to scratch, or I’ll be benched. That’s not my idea of fun.

I’m sitting at the kitchen counter when Parker walks through the door. I turn and wait for Addison and, hopefully, Elsie to follow. When they don’t, I can’t help the disappointment that fills me.

“What are you up to, man?” I ask casually before facing my computer again.

“Not much. Got homework to do for next week. Hey, do you want to come to the movies tonight? Addison, Elsie, Paislee, myself, and the guys are all going.”

My interest is piqued. Another chance to talk to Elsie.

“Sure. I’ll finish this email.”

Parker nods, opening the fridge. He takes a water bottle out, sculls it in one go, then he walks out of the kitchen, heading toward his room.

Now, what am I supposed to say in this email?

Hey,

I’m needing help with my English assignment. Could you please read over it and offer your advice?

Thanks,

A

I think that’s simple enough, and I’m sure Elsie won’t know it’s me. I attach my document to the email and hit send. When I get up from the stool, my phone starts to ring. Looking down at it on the bench, my sister’s caller ID is blinking through Facebook messenger.

“Hey, sis. What’s goin’ on?”

“Not much. Just wanted to check in and see how you were doing? Made lots of new friends?” Always nosey, my sister. She may only be fifteen, but she has the brains of the family. I’m the sports and all-outdoors-type stuff, and she’s always got her nose in a book.

“You know me, I’m forever making new ones.” I slide back onto the stool and shut my computer.

“What about girlfriends?” The way she says girlfriends really shows her age. I can’t help but roll my eyes. She is always onto me about girls for some strange reason.

“What’s it to ya?”

“Come on, Aiden. Tell me?” she whines.

I toss up about discussing my lie, but I’m sure she’ll scold me. She’s so much like Mum, even if she denies it.

My free hand taps the bench as I look over my shoulder to make sure no one is around. I lower my voice. “In case you must know, there are no girls… I’ve kind of created a white lie.”

She groans. Yeah, I figured that would be her reaction, and I cringe upon hearing her. I don’t need her disapproval. I already know I’ve done the wrong thing. The only problem is I don’t know how to rectify it.

“What kind of lie?” I can hear the disgust in her words. Immediately, I know this is a bad idea and I shouldn’t tell her. “Don’t go changin’ your mind now. You have to tell me what stupid thing you’ve done.”

“I already know it’s a stupid thing I’ve done. I don’t need you grillin’ me about it. I know you.”

“You need all the grillin’ you’re going to get. Now, tell me so I can talk a little sense into that thick skull of yours,” she demands.

I look over my shoulder again—no one’s around. “I told people I have a girlfriend back home.”

“You did what?” she yells into the phone so highly pitched that I pull it away from my ear with a wince.

“Yeah, I know.” I sigh.

“How could you be so stupid? You fool. You’re better than that. Why didn’t you simply say you don’t want to be in a relationship?”

I rub my free hand down my face. “I know. I made a mistake. I did it because I didn’t want to hurt anyone when it came time for me to leave. The last thing I need is to leave behind a broken heart. I thought I was doing the right thing.” My stomach tightens with dread. I already know that Eden is going to tell me to come clean before she says it.

“You need to be honest with the