My Aussie Guy - Liz Lovelock Page 0,14

people in your circle over there, or you’ll burn bridges. Is there anyone who’s caught your eye?”

I can hear the wheels turning in my sister’s little mind already. She doesn’t miss anything.

Clearing my throat, I say, “There is one who has, but I told her I had a girlfriend. She seems cool with it. We’re just friends.” Although, the pull I feel toward her only seems to be getting stronger the more I spend time with her.

“What the hell, you stupid brother of mine,” she yells once again.

“Eden, calm down. You’re carrying on a bit silly.”

“Blah, blah, blah… I’m carrying on. Have you looked in the mirror lately? You’re the one telling lies. I understand your reasoning, but you’re stupid. Stupid!” Her voice is still raised as she continues talking, but I don’t hear because a throat clears, startling me, from behind. I flick around, and Parker’s standing there with his brow furrowed as he stares right at me.

“Uh… Eden, I have to go.”

“Don’t do that to me now. We aren’t finished. I need to tell you how stupid you are again.”

“I get it. I’ll talk to you later. Catch ya.” I don’t give her a chance to say goodbye. I hang up, my eyes not moving away from Parker’s.

There’s a moment of silence before he speaks. “So, the girlfriend is a lie?” There’s no emotion in his words, and I instantly know I’ve betrayed his trust.

I nod. “It is. I didn’t want to risk anyone getting hurt when I leave, so I thought it would be easier, but it’s not.”

Parker steps closer. “Why didn’t you just tell the truth from the start? I’m sure everyone would have accepted that. Now you’ve done so much worse.”

I flinch. His words sting, because he’s right. I could have gone about this in a completely different way.

I groan. “I know. How can I fix it?” I ask, hoping he has a way to get me out of this.

“Easy. Tell the damn truth. There was no girlfriend to start with.” He slaps me on the shoulder.

“All right. I’ll figure it out.”

“Good. Until you tell everyone, I’ll say nothing. It’s not my secret—or should I say lie—to tell. Just don’t wait too long.”

“Yeah, okay, thanks.”

“Now, go get ready. We have to meet the others.”

I leave the kitchen with my laptop tucked under my arm. Walking to my room, the thought of coming clean about my lie kills me.

One thing is for sure. Elsie, with all her sass, is sure to hate me.

We’re all waiting around in the cinema after getting our tickets when I see who’s here. It’s like a couples group date. And here I am, a lone ranger, or the fifth wheel.

Parker stands there with his arm around Addison’s waist. Dane is standing beside Parker’s sister—I think her name is Paislee. I don’t believe they’re together, but if they’re trying to hide something, they’re not very good at it. I catch them whispering, but Parker seems completely oblivious to it all. Gee, he’s not on the ball. I’ve been around them for the first time tonight, and I saw it within the first fifteen minutes.

“What happened to Jimmy?” I ask Parker. I thought he was coming tonight.

He turns his attention to me. “He wanted to go to the gym instead. Couldn’t be bothered going to a movie. That’s just him; he changes his mind all the time.” Jimmy is a moody type of guy. Not very friendly either, but Parker seems to handle him well enough. I don’t think he’s warmed to me yet. Hasn’t really given me the time of day.

I have bigger problems to worry about, though.

“Okay, cool,” I reply to Parker when I’m shoved in the arm. Turning toward it, I see Elsie standing with a brilliant white, perfect smile. Immediately, my breath is kicked from my lungs.

“Hey there, friend,” she says playfully as she shoves a handful of popcorn in her mouth. Damn, if only she knew what a tease she was being right now.

“Hey, how was the rest of your day?” I ask, shoving her back while I move slightly closer. She smells like berries with a dash of spice.

“I slept. After last night, I needed it. I was wrecked.” She laughs, shuffling on her feet. Elsie’s in these perfectly fitted jeans, which hug her body nicely, and a pink T-shirt. She’s perfection. She’s hardly wearing any makeup and has blush-pink lips. I bite on my bottom lip as I assess her. She’s gorgeous.

How could I have let