Beneath The Lies (8 page)

The guy is not ugly by any means. He’s huge and has several scars on his face that does nothing to take away from his looks. Instead, he wears a mean look that sends a panic through me. Then again, that’s probably why he’s Gavin’s front man.

“Will do, big boy.”

Alyssa grabs my arm and leads us to the main room where guys are already being announced to fight. The room is packed full of people and already extremely loud. The bets are closed, but that’s not why Alyssa came. She’s looking to land a man—at least for one night.

I naturally start to head up the bleachers, looking for safety, but Alyssa isn’t budging.

“I didn’t come to sit on the bleachers, Kate,” she shouts into my ear. With another tug on my arm, we turn and make our way around groups of men until Alyssa finally settles in one place. I don’t want to watch another brutal fight, but even without that thought my eyes naturally go to the two chairs that Gavin and I sat in the last time I was here. And like I was expecting, he’s there watching the fighters. Tonight it’s Kiran sitting next to him, but my eyes remain focused on Gavin. He’s in his usual attire, but the stubble on his chin is more pronounced than I remember.

His finger rubs back and forth over his cheek as Kiran leans in and says something in his ear, causing his attention to leave the ring. He’s scanning the people around him, but he’s not looking in my direction. Gavin’s eyes narrow as their private conversation continues. I shouldn’t want to know what they’re saying, but I do.

I try to force my eyes away, but no matter what I do they continue to linger back to him.

Gavin is gorgeous and I bet every woman here would jump at the chance to spend an evening with him, but for me it’s more. It’s more than just the flutters I feel in my stomach. It’s more than just the racing of my heart. It’s the undeniable connection I feel when I look at him that I can’t shake off, that I don’t want to shake off.

He has a girlfriend, Kate.
I sigh with frustration because it’s ludicrous to want more with a man who’s already in a relationship. No matter what I keep telling myself, I’m unable to take my eyes off him. But I wish I had looked away because out of nowhere, his eyes lock with mine. His brows knit and his shoulders square, and if I had to guess I would say he’s not happy to see me.

God, Kate, what are you doing?
I’m surprised the floor didn’t swallow me whole from embarrassment. My face is flushed and it has nothing to do with how warm it is. I glance back at the ring in time to see blood splatter as a man drops to his knees. I can’t watch, and without meaning to my traitorous eyes glance back at Gavin. Gavin says something in his ear then Kiran hops up and announces a winner, causing the place to go crazy.

My eyes remain locked with Gavin’s until an attractive brunette walks up, forcing his attention toward her.

The woman places her arm on his bicep while she moves her mouth closer to his face. She’s touching him in a familiar way until he practically shoves her hand off him and takes a step away from her. I can’t hear what he’s saying, but even from across the room I can tell he’s not happy with her.

I wonder if this is Carly. If it is, they must be in an off spell. Heck maybe they have been for a while now. Gavin doesn’t talk much if any to Leeta, making it possible she doesn’t know what their situation currently is.

But he left for almost a week
. I’m still watching them when Alyssa tugs on my arm. “That was over quick. We better get out of here before the cops catch wind.” I lock hands with Alyssa and the two of us make our way out front.

The cool night air hits my warm face and I start to relax. “I parked this way.” Alyssa turns and points at the same time a large crowd that’s still feeding off the excitement flows out of the building. I start watching the various people when I notice I’m no longer standing next to my friend.

“Alyssa?” I shout. People are everywhere, but none of them are Alyssa. Things go from bad to worse when someone yells, “Cops!” That one word causes a massive outburst of panic.

People start pushing and shoving, doing whatever they can to get themselves away from the possibility of being caught. Hysterically, I dial Alyssa’s cell but it goes straight to voicemail. I bite my lip and shake my head, trying to force back tears as I hear sirens getting closer every second. Before I have the chance to panic any further, Gavin pulls up to the curb I’m standing on. “Get in!” Without a second thought I hop in.

“Thanks.” I hear a small hitch in my voice as my nerves are still attempting to settle. My first week of living on my own and I could’ve been arrested. I start rubbing my temples, forcing myself to relax.

Gavin drives for a long time when a text comes in from Alyssa telling me she had to go when she saw the police turn down the side street she was parked on. I want to be pissed at her for leaving me, but I did the same thing. Instead, I send her a quick message telling her I left with Gavin.

I put my phone away about the same time Gavin parks his car. I glance around and notice that we’re in front of my apartment building. I’m about to thank him when it occurs to me I never told him where I live. In fact, I never even told him I moved out of Leeta’s house.

I take a deep breath. “How did you know I lived here?”

He hesitates before he finally answers. “I’ve kept my eye on things. I wanted to make sure you were okay.” He shrugs as if what he said is no big deal.

“Oh.” I know I shouldn’t be, but I’m secretly pleased with his answer. The last time I saw him he was angry with me. I thought maybe he even hated me for some reason, but that’s obviously not the case. He might have a girlfriend, but for whatever reason Gavin is a door I don’t want to completely close. At least not until I know for a fact that he’s unavailable.

“I’ve only lived here a week.”

“I know.” His answer is quick and firm, making me wonder just how closely he’s been watching me. Is it possible Gavin somehow got into my apartment and left me that note? Or maybe he’s kept his eye out close enough that he knows who did.

I inhale loudly then rush out, “I think someone’s been in my apartment.” Gavin’s eyes narrow and his jaw ticks at my statement. He’s either a good actor or he wasn’t the person who left me that note.

“Why do you say that?”

Whenever Gavin is around me, my brain turns to mush and I allow my body to control my good sense, which is why I say, “Come inside and I’ll show you.”

****

My apartment is small, but it’s clean. If I really felt the need I could have contacted my father’s lawyer and asked for extra money to pay for something nicer, but there’s nothing wrong with this place. At least I didn’t think so until I watched Gavin look around with a look of distaste on his face.

“Just a second. I put the note up in my room.” I hurry in, open the drawer by the bed, and pull out the envelope. When I turn around, I run straight into Gavin’s hard chest.

“Oh. Geez, I didn’t hear you follow me in here.” I back up a little and glance up into his eyes, only to find him looking at me the same way he did the night we went to dinner.

“Here.” I shove the note at him then dodge around his arms before walking back out into a safer area, an area that doesn’t have a bed right next to us.

I know the exact moment Gavin looks at the note because his whole body goes tight with tension. “Where did you find this?” he all but snarls out as he follows me back into the living room.

“I opened a box that I packed when I moved out of Leeta’s. It was sitting on the top of everything else and I didn’t put it in there. I honestly don’t know how long it’s been here.”

Our eyes tangle again and that connection I feel is back, stronger than ever. If Gavin doesn’t have a girlfriend then I think we might actually be able to move past this tension that’s standing between us.

I stand silently in the same spot, waiting for him to say something. When he does, it’s not what I was expecting—or maybe hoping. Definitely hoping.

“You need to keep your eyes and ears open. Watch your surroundings better. Somebody went to a lot of trouble to leave this for you and that bothers me. Fuck, it more than bothers me. I have a lot going on right now, but I’ll look into this a little closer.”

I shift my weight from one foot to the other, unsure what to say. I can kid myself all I want, but I was hoping for something more than Gavin blowing me off like we’re strangers. But that’s pretty much what we are...strangers. For some reason though, in my mind and heart I feel like I know Gavin, but I don’t. And he’s clearly just as done with me as he was the last time I saw him because he’s walking to my door ready to leave.

“Also, don’t go to The Hill. Fights like that bring out all sorts of people. It’s not safe for you and your friend to go by yourselves.”

Gavin opens my apartment door ready to leave but he looks back over toward me one last time with almost a sad smile and adds, “Make sure you lock up.” Then he’s gone.

For a brief moment, I thought maybe Gavin and I could at the very least end up being friends, but him leaving is probably for the best. At least that’s what I keep telling myself because with Gavin I’m certain I want to be a whole lot more than just his friend.

For the next couple of weeks, my life forms a new normal. I go to school, hang out with Alyssa and Gabby, and I’ve even gone to a few parties. The one and only time I heard about a fight at The Hill I made sure to pass on Gabby and Noah’s offer to tag along.

I haven’t heard a word from Gavin since the night he left my apartment and my lunch dates and shopping trips with Leeta have severely decreased. I’ve neglected my promise not to desert her, and I’m starting to feel like crap. At the same time, I think she’s resigned herself to the idea that I’m not her long lost daughter.

Tonight I feel like I’m taking a step in the right direction because I agreed to go out on a date with one of Alyssa’s friends, Devon. I met Devon at a party last weekend and since then he’s asked Alyssa about me almost every day, or so she claims. Devon is good looking and as horrible as this may sound, I’m hoping tonight will make me forget about a guy who has obviously forgotten about me.

I am finishing the final touches of my makeup when a knock comes from my apartment door. I open it and find Devon waiting for me.

“Wow, Kate. You look amazing.” A shy smile forms on my lips. I had one boyfriend in high school. We dated for almost two years before he left for NYU. I really liked Cole, but I didn’t like him enough to attempt a long distance relationship so we parted ways. Other than a random Facebook comment here and there, I haven’t heard from him.

Devon reminds me a little of Cole. He’s tall and lanky compared to the guys I’ve seen at The Hill, but he’s by no means a small guy.

“Thank you. I’m ready to go, unless you want to come inside for a drink?”

“No. If you’re ready then let’s go.” Devon seems more my speed, however the few times we’ve spoken in the last week he came off shy and unconfident—at least around females. I saw him talking to a group of guys last weekend when I first met him and he acted bold and self-assured. But that hasn’t been the case this last week with me.

Devon drives us to the same restaurant that Gavin took me to, and I have to stifle a laugh. The food at this place was great, but two dates with two different guys and I end up here both times? I shake off my thought and take the hand Devon offers me.

“I wasn’t sure what kind of food you like and this place has a little of everything,” he says with pride.

“This is fine.” Unlike the time when I came with Gavin, they don’t seem to know Devon by name. My evening, however, is just as enjoyable. Devon is a senior at Berkley and appears to have his life in order. And the more time I spend with him, the more I like him.

“Why didn’t you start here as a freshmen?”

With a half-smile, I say words that are still difficult to hear. “My dad died a few months ago. My mom died four years ago and I have...family in the area.” Devon’s eyes widened with disbelief.

“Damn. I’m sorry to hear that.”

There’s no doubting my comment has placed a damper on the evening. “Thanks.” I bite my lip for a second, thinking of another topic that might steer us back toward the easy mood we were enjoying moments before.

“You graduate in the spring?” Devon gives me a smile, and just like that, our conversation transitions to a much easier topic.

“I’ve applied for several master programs but I still don’t know where I’ll be going yet.” As Devon continues talking I get a feeling that I’m being watched. I try to shake it off, but I can’t. I casually glance around without making it obvious to my date what I’m doing when my eyes immediately halt and lock with Gavin’s. He’s across the restaurant at a booth with Kiran. Kiran appears to be talking to him but Gavin won’t take his eyes off of me. I can feel the heat of his stare from across the restaurant.

“Kate?” My attention is pulled away from Gavin and back to my date and I instantly feel like crap because I have no idea what he said.

“I’m sorry, what?” My cheeks feel flushed and I’m hoping Devon doesn’t notice.