Blurred Truth (The Blurred Series Book 2) (14 page)

“You didn’t stick to the plan, boy,”

“Please. I didn’t have a choice. They had CCTV. They knew everything anyway,” I plead with Mr. Sykes.

He’s gonna hurt Momma and it’s going to be all my fault.

“I told you I’d kill her if you didn’t do as I said. I’m a man of my word, little Landon.”

“Please. Don’t hurt my mom.”

He chuckles then. No humor. A menacing sound that makes every hair on my body stand up and a chill of fear race through me.

“Oh, I’m not talking about your whore mother, boy. She might as well be dead, anyway, the amount of dope she’s pumped through her veins over the years. No, I’m talking about that pretty little thing you’ve shacked up with. What’s her name again?”

No!

“You can’t hurt Natalie. I won’t let you.”

“Natalie! That’s right. I can see why you’d want a piece of that. Maybe I’ll have a taste myself before I put her in the ground.”

“Fuck you.”

He chuckles again.

“And when I’m done with her, I won’t frame your piece-of-shit father for it. I’ll frame you. You’re a liar anyway, right? No one would believe you, no matter how innocent you were.”

I’m a liar and no one will believe me.

I’m a liar.

I’m a liar.

“NATALIE!” I wake up in a cold sweat, shivering from head-to-toe.

“Ryan, what’s wrong?”

I can’t focus on the face above me or the soft hands on my cheeks. I’m halfway in the dream and half in reality, unable to grasp what’s real and what’s not.

“Ryan, you’re scaring me. Come back to me.”

“Natalie?”

“Yeah. I’m here. Did you have a bad dream?” she asks, brushing the damp hair from my forehead.

“A nightmare.”

“Well, it’s over now. Everything’s fine,” she promises, kissing my lips.

Except I don’t think it is over, and I don’t believe anything is fine.

* * *

Walking down Main Street, perusing the shiny shop windows, I’m feeling uninspired. I’m supposed to be looking for a birthday gift for Natty, but my mind is consumed with that nightmare. I haven’t had a nightmare like that in years and it’s unsettling, to say the least.

Some might say that it’s just my subconscious dealing with my new relationship and the fears I still hold from my past, but I can’t shake the feeling that it means something more. More like a premonition than a dream.

As I walk slowly past yet another dressed-up window, I stop in my tracks when I see the array of different charms on display. All are meant for a bracelet, a selection of which is displayed alongside the charms. I spot several pieces that instantly remind me of Natalie, so I enter the store, excited to finally have some direction.

“Hi. Welcome to Rair Creations. Are you looking for something specific today that I can help with?” a twenty-something sales assistant says as she approaches me from behind the glass counter at the back of the store.

“Hey, yeah. Uh, can I take a look at the charms and bracelets that are in the window?” I ask with my hands stuffed in the pockets of my jeans.

“Of course! Shopping for someone special?” she asks as she leans down into the window display to retrieve the trays of jewelry.

“Yeah. It’s my girlfriend’s birthday this week. I’ve been walking around town all morning looking for the right gift. No one warns you how hard this is gonna be, you know?”

“First birthday together?” she asks as she strides over to the counter with the items, me following closely behind.

“Yeah. Well, we’ve known each other since we were kids, but this is the first birthday for us in a relationship...with anyone,” I explain, beginning to look over all of my options now spread out on the glass in front of me.

“Oh, my gosh, that’s so sweet. You’ve known each other that long and only just got together?”

“Yeah...it’s a long story, but I was kind of an ass-” I stop myself from swearing mid-sentence, since it’s probably not appropriate, “jerk to her growing up until I came to my senses. I’ve got a lot to make up for, to be honest.”

“An assjerk? That’s the worst.” she chuckles, shaking her head.

I laugh and continue looking over the potential combinations. “Yeah. I was definitely an assjerk.”

“Well then, how about a dove of peace?” she asks, picking up a tiny dove holding an olive branch in its beak, that I hadn’t yet noticed.

It’s perfect. She’s my little dove, but she doesn’t know that. I can include it under the ruse of just being about me making up for the past that lingers between us.

“That’s perfect. We’ll definitely put that in the ‘yes’ pile.”

After selecting a collection of charms, I move onto the display of bracelets.

Why are there so many to choose from?!

“So this is the selection of white gold bracelets that go with the charms. You’ve got some lightweight chains, some heavier, some with gemstones, et cetera. It all depends what style you think would suit her,” the assistant, who I now know is called Danielle, explains.

“God, why is this so difficult?”

“Aw. I know it seems that way, but just imagine what it will look like on her wrist. What do you see on her?”

“She’s really pretty. Blonde. Petite. She likes pink…and purple… Ugh! I just want her to like it, you know? What I think will look good, she might think is awful,” I say, exasperated with the choices in front of me.

“Have a little faith in yourself. I’m sure she’ll love whatever you pick. Since you said she likes pink, how about we look at these lightweight bracelets with gemstones,” she offers, gesturing to the row of colorful bracelets. “They’re a little more interesting and prettier than the plain bands.”

“What’s in this one? I like this for her,” I say, pointing to a bracelet laced with a pastel green-blue that seems to change color under the light, alongside a pale pink stone on every other link.

“That’s opal and pink quartz. I love that one. It’s very subtle. Not too flashy, but still beautiful. I think that’s a great choice.”

“I’ll take it.”

“Great! I’m so happy we could help you out today. Okay, so that’s fifty per charm,” she says as she types into the cash register. “Plus four-ninety-nine for the bracelet.” More typing. “That brings the total to seven-ninety-nine plus tax, so you’ve got eight-fifty-four, ninety-three to pay. Will that be cash, debit or credit?” she finishes with a smile beamed my way.

I’d be smiling too. Damn.

Natalie is worth every penny.

“Debit,” I deadpan.

“Would you like this gift wrapped?” she asks, taking my card and swiping it through the register.

“Do bears shit in the woods?”

I think I’ve earned the right to not censor my language at this point, right?

Right.

* * *

“Hey, man,” Nate says when I walk through the front door of the apartment.

He appears to be making a...smoothie?

“Hey, dude. I’m glad I caught you. I wanted to talk to you about Natalie’s birthday,” I say as I approach him.

“Yeah, we’re going out to a bar, right? That friend of hers is coming. Elliott?” he yells over the sound of the blender.

When the blending stops, I respond. “Yeah. I don’t wanna talk about Preppy Douche. I mean the morning of her birthday.”

“I’m sorry,
Preppy Douche
?” Nate queries.

“Yeah...you know, because the way he dresses is preppy and...he’s a douche,” I explain as if it should be obvious to him.

“Okaayyy,” is his only response. “So, yeah, Natty’s birthday. I wanted to make her pancakes for breakfast. Like my dad used to for us, remember?” he asks.

“Yeah, that sounds good. I got her a gift today. I thought we could surprise her with breakfast and gifts in bed. Your mom used to give her breakfast and a gift as soon as she woke up, right?” I ask.

“Yeah, she did,” Nate says despondently, obviously remembering his mother doing the same for him.

“We need to make this birthday happy for her, right? But also make it similar to the past. So that she doesn’t miss them too much. It’s her first birthday since…” I trail off, not knowing how to continue.

“Yeah. Definitely. That’s a good idea, Ry,” Nate says as he pours his weird, green concoction into a tall glass. “I’m really glad you guys are together. I was worried at first, but I think you’ve been really good for her. So, thank you,” he continues, placing a firm hand on my shoulder.

“You don’t need to thank me, Nate. I’m not doing anyone any favors. I’m totally selfish when it comes to your sister,” I say, not able to make eye-contact.

“You love her. I think you always have. You might not be ready to say it. She might not be ready to say it, either; I don’t know. But I see it. You guys love each other and you make each other see life differently. She never would have coped with what happened as well as she has without you being here every step of the way, so I’m grateful, even if you think I have nothing to be grateful for. I wouldn’t have been enough for her. You’re enough for her.”

“Wow. You’re in the wrong line of work. You should be writing Hallmark cards or something,” I say with a smirk, unable to take in everything he just said.

Everything he said fills me with guilt. If they both knew the truth, they’d hate me. Never see me the same again. They wouldn’t love me.

She
wouldn’t love me.

On the morning of Natalie’s birthday, I typed out a message from Land on the chat room. Just a
happy birthday.
But, ultimately, I decided it would be a step back. My intention was to show her she wasn’t forgotten by him. I thought it would make her happy, but it could also have the opposite effect, so I might as well let lying dogs lie… Wait, that’s not it. Sleeping dogs lie? That’s the saying, right?

“So, we knock on the door, wait for her to invite us in, then open the door and say ‘happy birthday’?” Nate checks with me.

“Hmm. No, I think knocking will ruin the surprise. I say we just open the door and yell ‘happy birthday’.”

“But what if she’s not awake?” Nate queries.

“Well, I think the yelling will do the job, don’t you?” I ask.

“Yeah, I guess. I just don’t wanna scare her awake on her birthday, you know?”

“She’ll be awake. This is about the time she wakes up,” I explain.

“I do not wanna know why you know that.”

“It’s just boyfriend intuition. Get your mind out of the gutter, Nathaniel,” I mock with a smile.

“Shut up. Just grab the tray and let’s do this.”

I laugh at that, but do as he says. Nate has both of our gifts in his hands, so I carry the breakfast tray, and we give each other a glance before bursting through the door.

I hope we make her happy.

“Happy birthday!” we both shout in unison when we enter Natty’s bedroom.

But she doesn’t respond with a bright smile, or even a scowl at being woken up too early. She covers her mouth and sobs into her hand.

We both dash to her bedside, looking at each other with concern.

We totally fucked up.

“Little N, I’m sorry. We thought this would make you happy,” Nate says, setting the two gifts on the bed then sitting down, stroking her back in a soothing gesture.

“Baby, please don’t cry,” I say softly as I set the tray on the bedside table and kneel next to her, taking her small hand in mine.

“I’m sorry,” she says between hiccups. “This makes me so happy. I was just thinking how Mom used to do this before you came in here. I’m overwhelmed is all,” she explains with a sniffle.

“That’s totally understandable sweetie. Let me go get you some tissues,” Nate offers as he gets up and heads to the bathroom.

“I hope we can make today a happy memory for you,” I say before giving her a soft, chaste kiss that I hope soothes her emotions.

“You already have,” she says through a watery smile.

Nate re-enters the room then, handing Natty a bundle of tissues. She hands the used tissues back to him when she’s done, like she used to when she was sick as a kid, and he takes them, swiftly throwing them in the waste-paper basket in the corner of the room.

I hold back my amusement at the grossed out look on his face.

“Here, open your gifts, birthday girl,” Nate says, as he hands the neatly wrapped packages to Natalie and resumes his position on the edge of her bed.

She smiles, a little brighter this time, and I’m thankful that her tears have dried up.

“That one’s from me.” Nate gestures to the rectangular gift she’s about to unwrap.

As she tears back the paper, revealing the front of the box, her eyes go wide with surprise.

“Nate, this is too much. An iPad? This is so expensive!”

I’m suddenly thankful that my gift for her doesn’t have a widely advertised price associated with it. I don’t want her feeling guilty for receiving what I give to her. I just want her to love it.

I hope she loves it.

“I can afford it, don’t worry. You’re welcome,” Nate explains.

“Oh, my gosh. Sorry. Thank you!” Dropping the box on her lap, she reaches for Nate to give him a tight hug. The huge smile on her face makes my heart swell.

“Figured you could use a bigger screen to read your smut on,” he says into her shoulder, before chuckling at his own joke.

Pulling away, she gives him a mock-scowl. Or maybe a real scowl?

“It is not smut!” she states, smacking him on the arm as her cheeks flush.

We’re all laughing as I take my present from Natty’s lap and hand it to her.

My nerves spike. What if she doesn’t like it? What if she sees the dove charm and puts it all together, realizing I lied to her, on her birthday of all days?

Without another word, she tears excitedly at the neat wrapping. When she sees the jewelry box, she gives me a coy smile, so I give one back.

Okay, this is good, she likes that it’s jewelry...I think.

She opens the box and a small gasp escapes her as she takes in each delicate piece I chose. A book, a tiny open laptop, a vintage truck, a motorcycle, a heart and a dove.

Then she focusses in on the dove, a look of concentration on her face. I can almost see the cogs turning in her mind; putting the pieces together.

“It’s a dove of peace. I guess I put it on there as one final peace-offering for being such an asshole when we were younger. I’ll never stop trying to make up for that, though,” I explain. It’s the truth, but it’s also a distraction from where her thoughts were going. I think it works.

I hope it works.

Why did I choose that damn dove? Do I want to get caught? Maybe, somewhere deep down, I do. I want her to know everything. I don’t want any secrets between us, but I don’t have the balls to confess, so my subconscious is trying to do it for me. One gift at a time.

I wonder what it will make me give her for Christmas?

“I love it, Ryan,” she says, and I see tears welling in her eyes again. “Thank you. I’ll never take it off.”

With a smile, I take the bracelet and clasp it around her delicate wrist, watching as she studies it once more.

Nate breaks her trance, clearing his throat.

“Okay, well I’ve got a lot of work to get done before the festivities tonight. You two behave while I’m gone. Happy birthday, again, Natty,” he says, kissing her on the forehead before making his exit.

Nate is leaving us in the apartment alone without so much as a warning glance my way, proving that he meant every word he said to me about our relationship. It’s subtle, but he’s saying he’s good with this.

“This is the most beautiful gift I’ve ever received. I don’t even know what to say,” Natalie says, bringing me out of my own thoughts.

“Don’t say anything,” I say before pulling the blankets off and climbing on top of her, kissing her gently at first, then harder.

Now we’re alone, it’s time for my second gift.

“What about my birthday breakfast?” Natty asks between kisses.

“You can eat it after your birthday orgasm,” I murmur into her neck.

I trail kisses from her neck, down to her flushed chest, until I reach the edge of her camisole. Pulling the straps from her shoulders, she assists me in removing them from her arms before I pull the neckline below her breasts and continue my affection on one, then the other.

“Hmm,” she sighs.

“You like that, baby?”

“Yeah,” she whispers.

I continue for a moment longer before moving downward, past her stomach and to each hip bone, where I reach the waist of her shorts. I lick from one hip to the other, and she lifts her butt off the bed, silently asking me to take them off.

“You’re so impatient this morning,” I say, looking up her body with a smile. “I love it.”

“Please, just take them off Ryan,” she begs.

“I love it when you beg, too,” I say, rolling the waistband down a little and repeating my previous little lick, still not as low as she’d like.

“Stop teasing me,” she whines.

“Relax, baby. You know I’ll get to the good stuff, eventually.”

She flops her head back onto the pillow with a huff, her blonde hair fanned out around her.

I grin as I nip her skin, making her squirm some more, and begin tugging the shorts down, causing her to lift her hips again to assist me.

I drag the clothing torturously slowly, kissing her thighs as I pass them, but it’s hard for me to restrain myself now, because she’s not wearing any panties under these short shorts.

“You’re not wearing any panties. You know what that does to me,” I say before biting her inner thigh.

“Ouch!” she yelps before laughing.

My dick is painfully hard, but this is all about her, so I do my best to ignore it.

Pulling the clothing free from her feet and tossing them to the floor, I place one of her ankles on my shoulder and the other around my waist as I kneel between her legs. Kissing her calf, I run my hand along the length of her smooth skin until I reach her ass, giving it a firm squeeze, making her moan.

I bend down to kiss her lips and the motion moves her right leg to press against her torso. Holding it in that position with my hand on the back of her thigh, I slowly kiss down her body once more. The action causes her to move her other leg from around my waist, dropping it to the side so that she’s completely open for me.

When I put my tongue on her clit, she jolts under me, so I hold her still, continuing with small licks and pushing a finger inside her.

“Oh, my God, Ryan, please don’t stop,” she pleads.

So I don’t, and by the time we’re finished, her birthday breakfast is cold, but apparently she’s okay with that.

* * *

“Sweet Jesus!” Natalie walks into the living area with Calli, dressed in a Grecian-style, white mini-dress, and I’ve never seen anything look so fucking perfect in my whole life.

The vision sends all my blood southward, and I have to focus really damn hard on not
getting
hard. These jeans I’m wearing aren’t that loose as it is.

“Turn around, go back to your room and put some clothes on,” Nate demands, and I want to agree with him, and tell him to shut his mouth at the same time.

I don’t want other guys making moves on Natty all night, which they will if she wears that, but I also don’t ever want to stop looking at her in this outfit. She can wear it, but I fear the night could end with my fist connecting with some asshole’s face.

“Behave, Nathan. She looks beautiful. Don’t you agree, Ryan?”

Mesmerized, I think I hear someone talking, but it’s just muffled noise at this point.

“Ryan?!” I hear Calli say firmly, snapping her fingers at me, then it registers what she said a moment before.

“What?...Yes! Absolutely, amazingly beautiful,” I manage to murmur, slowly coming out of my trance. “Perfect,” I say, taking Natalie’s hand and pulling her in for a kiss, which soon becomes a little too heated for our present company.

A throat clears.

Nate
.
Dammit.

“All right, that’s enough of that. Let’s go before we’re late,” he commands.

I agree, we should leave before I drag Natalie to a bedroom and strip that dress from her body.

* * *

“Happy birthday!” Preppy Douche - I mean Elliott - yells when he spots us, rising from his seat and opening his arms for a hug from Natalie.

It’s just a hug. Don’t punch him. That would not be cool.

Natty almost drags me towards him, like she can’t wait to get there, and I reluctantly release my firm hold on her hand to let her enjoy the moment with her friends.

This is all new to her. She’s never been out to a bar for her birthday. Now the thought occurs to me that she wasn’t trying to get to Elliott, she was just trying to get out of the center of the room.

She’s nervous.

She hugs Elliott, then Tara, who promptly offers to buy Natalie her first drink.

“No way. I’m buying my girl her first drink on her birthday. It’s only right,” I say, slapping my hand down on the bar, drawing the attention of the bartender.

After getting all the drinks requests from our group, I turn my attention to the bartender and make the order of cocktails and beers. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Elliott giving Natalie a gift, but decide that, in order to keep my cool, I should just focus on the guy making the drinks and think no more of it.

The dove necklace that’s now around her neck doesn’t mean as much to her as the charm bracelet on her wrist.

It’s totally fine.

Leaning against the bar, talking to Nate about his new project, I keep Natalie and her friends in my peripheral. They’re on the dance floor and a little tipsy, having been on the hard cocktails. I’ve only had a few bottled beers, so I’m feeling coherent enough to still keep Natty safe. Nate isn’t drinking, since he’s driving, so that helps me relax a little.

As Nate is telling me about a pain-in-the-ass plumbing situation, I see a guy behind Natalie trying to cop a feel, so I hold a hand up to stop Nate mid-sentence and turn my full attention to the dance floor.

At that moment, Natty turns around and gives the guy a light shove to get him to back off, but all it does is cause his drink to spill down the front of her beautiful dress.