Sweet Deception (Truth) (12 page)

I flicked more polystyrene around the table with my fingers. “Don’t tell me there’s more?” She asked.

I pursed my lips together before speaking. “I met his parents a while ago and I got a weird vibe from them when I told them what I did for a living. Then they asked to speak to him privately and it got heated. They were arguing.”
She considered what I told her and I saw it in her face. She thought it was something big too. “Maybe they have something against florists? Maybe his dad never bought his mum flowers and she’s still upset about it.” She smiled and I burst out laughing. “That’s better. I don’t like seeing you upset. Look on a serious note, if he wants to keep you, he will be honest. It must be really hard for him if it's something painful. Maybe he just needs time. I still get choked up thinking about my dad and I'm sure you feel the same about your parents."
"Yeah I do.” I sighed. “You talk a lot of sense for a blonde." I chucked a piece of donut at her playfully.
She giggled back, "I am amazing, I know."

I laughed and we carried on talking. By the end of the afternoon I was in such a good mood I had just decided to give Blake a break from asking about his family, giving him the time he clearly needed to trust me completely. Best Friend Ever award goes to Laurel. Always.

After she left the cafe, Blake text and asked if he could meet me so I stayed and ordered another drink while I waited for him. I glanced around at the occupied tables and saw a familiar face. He recognised me too as he made his way over to my table. “Cassie? Is that you?”

I nodded. “Jason, hi. Marissa said you were still around here. How are you?” He reached down to kiss my cheek and smiled warmly. His blonde hair was in direct contrast to Blake’s and he was slightly shorter. I think it was a result of being with Blake that I would always be comparing other guys to him. His features had grown more solid and mature but he was still just as good-looking as he had been in school. If not more, because now there was sex appeal.

I gestured for him to sit in the empty chair next to me. “I’m good thanks. Listen, I work down at the station and I heard what happened to you at the bar. It can’t have been easy.”

My cheeks flushed with embarrassment. I didn’t want people talking about me. “Oh I’m fine. I’ve forgotten all about it. So you’re a policeman now?” I asked trying to change the subject.

“I am indeed. Have been for a few years. I love it. Are you back here looking after Julia?”

What was with people wanting to know about me? “Yeah, I’m helping her out for a while.” I sipped my tea slowly silently praying he wouldn’t talk about more personal things. I didn’t get my wish.

“I’m really sorry about your parents. I never got the chance to talk to you after the funeral. Your Gran wouldn’t let me come and see you and the next thing I knew mum told me you left.”

I picked up my mug again to try and distract myself from the tears threatening to fall. I think after being away for so long, coming back had brought something out of me that I had resisted before. A kind of second mourning period. I brushed them away with my hand and took a deep breath in. “I know, I was wrong to just leave. Other people were going through a tough time too. I didn’t realise how many people’s lives they touched until the funeral. The whole town turned out to say goodbye.” He gently rubbed my shoulder, “Of course they did. Everyone loved your parents. And I thought of them like my auntie and uncle. They were so much cooler than my parents. They gave me a birthday party when mum said we couldn’t afford one. And I had my first beer round yours. Your dad sneaked it past your mum and we had one together.” I sniffed, laughing through the tears. “Yeah they were pretty cool.”

He nodded, “I think we need a lighter subject. What are you doing in this dive anyway?” He gestured to the cafe we were in. I looked around again briefly but didn’t think it was that bad. A little ‘shabby chic’ but it was part of the charm. “I’ve just been catching up with Laurel and I’m meeting someone soon.”

He paused, “Boyfriend?”

It felt strange calling Blake my boyfriend but then he had introduced me as his girlfriend to his parents so I decided to go with that. “Yeah. We met around here.”

He shifted in the chair, and looked down at his drink. “I had a major crush on you when we were younger.” I was tempted to spit my drink out laughing because I thought he was joking but he was serious. “I was just too shy. You always seemed so unattainable. I’m surprised Mel didn’t tell you.” I pulled the corners of my mouth back in to a thin line. “No, she never said.” I gave him half a smile and awkwardly looked around for something to save me. The door opened and Blake walked in just in time. My heart skipped a beat seeing his swagger and tight jeans. He grinned and mouthed the word ‘drink?’ I shook my head and he nodded an understanding before glancing to my right and noticing Jason. He frowned and kept looking over while Jason spoke, “HE is your
boyfriend
?!” Jason’s face twisted with disbelief and panic rolled into one.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I bit back, wondering what his problem was. “Cassie, he is not boyfriend material. Especially not for someone like you. You’re too good for him.” My back stiffened. I didn’t like being told what to do. I didn’t take it from my Gran anymore and I sure as hell wasn’t going to take it from someone I hadn’t seen in years. “Whatever you think you know, it’s not true. He’s been good to me. And anyway, I don’t have to justify my relationship to you.” I had raised my voice by now and Blake was making his way over. Jason tried again. “Cassie, just-“

“Is everything okay?” Blake’s voice interrupted Jason and he didn’t take his eyes off me. I was too busy glaring at Jason to answer him. “Cassie, answer me. Is everything okay?” His jaw tensed and he looked ready to lash out.

“Yes it’s fine. Jason was just leaving. It was nice to see you again.” My false smile made no attempts at authenticity. He took in a deep breath and let it out quickly, “Cassie, if you ever need me, you know where I am.” He gave a pointed look at Blake’s back as he walked away and I slumped back in the chair.

“What was all that about?” Blake asked, watching me curiously. I chewed the inside of my cheek, debating whether to tell him the whole truth or just some of it.

“Jason just told me he used to have a crush on me at school.” He raised his eyebrows and his hands fisted subconsciously. “And what did you say?”

“I just kind of laughed and said I never realised. It was awkward.” He seemed to relax and I saw his shoulders drop. He put his hand on mine but I felt too uptight and moved it slightly. I glanced at his eyes and saw a flicker of hurt at my rejection but I was too upset to take it back. He scooted his chair round to sit next to me. “Do you want to tell me the rest of it? Something else isn’t right with you.”

I leaned forward and rested my hands on the table. We had to have this conversation. “People keep warning me to stay away from you. And I’ve had enough. But it’s more than that. I just don’t
understand
it. I don’t get proper reasons or justifications.” I looked at him, praying silently for him to come clean and just tell me.

“It’s probably nothing. Probably just because of my reputation. You’ve heard things about me. You know what I was like. They don’t think I am good enough for you. And they’re right. But for some strange reason you don’t agree.” He swept my hair away from my neck and trailed his fingers through it. “And I want to let you choose what you think is best for you. At least this way I get to be with you. I’m not perfect. I haven’t been perfect. But I will do my best to make you happy. Please don’t let them win.” His eyes were holding mine, pleading and I couldn’t resist them. I knew I should demand to know what was going on, but he had never been anything less than what I had hoped or dreamed. So how could I complain?

“I don’t want them to win. But it’s not about that. I just need to know that you’re not hiding something. Because I don’t want any secrets between us. It’s not healthy.” I insisted.

“I’m not. You need to trust that anything you need to know I will tell you when I can. You know that I’m not used to being this close to someone and as much as I love it, it’s different. It takes some getting used to it. I’m not living just for me anymore. I’m living for you.” He took my hand in his and kissed each knuckle almost reverently. I contemplated his words then once again put my apprehensions to the back of my mind.

”You’re right, Blake. I need to stop listening to other people. I know how you feel about me and I promise I will give you time. But just know that you can’t fool me. I love the time we spend together and I will do what I can to make you happy too, but I do expect you to be honest with me. I will be here for you, whatever it is. I’m all in. Just you and me.” He squeezed my fingers and kissed my cheek, and the uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach started to fade again.

Chapter 14

My phone beeped and I groaned into the pillow. I had fallen asleep and it was the middle of the afternoon.

Blake: Can you get away for the night tomorrow?

My heart skipped a beat.

Me: Yes I can tell Gran I am staying at Laurel’s house. Why?

I got a reply just seconds later.

Blake: It’s a surprise. Pack an overnight bag. And passport. Pick you up at 7am.

I was so excited and spent the evening imagining where we might be going. My mind would hardly let me sleep and I woke early the next morning with my eyes heavy and my head pounding. I had breakfast with Gran before I ran out the door and round the corner to meet Blake.

“Hey sweetheart.”

I rushed up to him and flung my arms around his neck smacking my lips against his. He stumbled slightly and returned the kiss, wrapping his arms tightly around my back. I was breathless when I pulled away and he smiled, “What was that for?” He asked.

“Just because.” I replied and shrugged my shoulders.

“You need to tell me what I did to deserve that because I will definitely do it more often.” I laughed and gave him a quick peck on the lips before I got in the car.

“Are you going to tell me where we are going now?”

He took my hand in his and settled them both on his thigh. “Nope I told you it’s a surprise.” We talked non-stop playing silly games like I-Spy and trying to guess what song was coming on the radio. I loved Blake like this, he was so carefree and fun to be around. Just as I was contemplating the first few chords of the next song something caught my eye out of the window. We turned the corner and the airport came into view. I frowned, and looked up at Blake who was watching me out of the corner of his eye. “I thought you might have asked me to bring my passport to throw me off the scent. Are we really flying somewhere?” I didn’t want to get excited in case I was disappointed but I felt like jumping out of my seat. “Where are we going?” I tried again, not able to hide my smile. “Tell me, please.” I tugged on his arm and realised I was becoming one of those squealing excitable girls that I hated.

“Just be patient. You’ll find out soon enough.”

He climbed out, lifted our bags out of the boot and handed the keys over, “Have a nice trip Mr Richards,” the young valet replied, eager to take Blake’s new BMW for a drive.

He grabbed my hand and I was practically skipping next to him as we headed for the bag drop. I looked up at the screens above each drop as we passed them trying to guess which one we would stop at. He noticed what I was doing and stood in the queue that said London (LGW). “We’re going to London?” I asked, trying to hide the disappointment in my voice because I didn’t want to appear ungrateful. I would be happy to spend any time alone with him, but I had lived in London for three years and knew it like the back of hand. Plus it would have been easier to drive there. He smiled and guided me to the desk as the attendant called us. He handed over the boarding passes and passports and the lady frowned, “Sir you’re booked on the 08.15 flight to Paris. That’s the next desk over.”

My heart stopped.

“Oh yes, sorry got in the wrong queue, thank you.” He smirked at me and chuckled as I jumped up and down on the spot. “Oh my God, you’re taking me to Paris? Are we actually going to Paris?”

“Yes, we are actually going to Paris.”

I planted a kiss on his cheek. “You are officially the best boyfriend ever. Thank you.”

He chuckled and put his arm around me, “Yeah and don’t you forget it.” I sent a quick text to Laurel.
He’s
taking me to Paris for the night! Told Gran I was staying at yours.

The reply came almost instantly.

Lucky bitch! Have fun ;-)

The plane ride was really quick. Blake had downloaded a sightseeing app on his tablet so we flicked through that and picked out the places we wanted to see. After landing, a driver took us to the hotel and we dropped our bags off before heading out for an afternoon of walking. We saw as many of the main sights as we could fit in then went to find somewhere we could people watch and rest my feet. It was all such a whirlwind and I was having trouble comprehending the fact he had actually brought me here.
Me
. And not one of his blonde bimbos that definitely would have looked better on his arm. I wondered if he had taken any of them away before. Was this the treatment that they got too? Being whisked away made me feel special but maybe I was just going to be the next in a long line of women all blinded by the five star lifestyle and
that
smile.