Started With a Lie

Chapter Twenty

                Lee’s eyes darken and his grip tightens but it doesn’t hurt. His voice is barely a whisper before he says, “Brent who?”

               Why did he sound so angry? And demanding? I don’t have to tell him anything. Because after all, none of this is his business. He’s just a stalker and a weird rich man that uses girls for his lonely stupid life. “None of your business.” I snag my arm away and go pull the covers up on Mom’s bed. I don’t need Lee telling me what I should tell him and what I shouldn’t. I run my life.

             I’m an independent woman who does just fine.

                 Mark finally finishes putting on his clothes.

                 “Let’s go, Mark,” I say, gesturing to the door. When I reach the bottom of the stairs, I hear Brent making clank noises. As sexist as it is, Brent was never meant for the kitchen and still isn’t. I remember one time he had decided to make Mom a cake for Mother’s Day. He nearly burned down our house, along with Mom and I in it. In the end, Mom had to pay extra for damages and we ended up spending the day in a motel while workers got our kitchen renovated.

             “Where is the goddamn coffee?” Brent asks me when he sees me. He closes the current cabinet he’s opened. “What the hell, man. It’s like the coffee is frickin’ gold.” He opens up another cabinet and only groans.

                “Just sit down,” I say, shaking my head. Brent walks around and sits at the island. He looks over to Mark, standing shyly behind me. Before he can say anything, I say, “This is Mark. Don’t touch him. I’ll explain everything in a minute.”

              Mark slowly takes a seat next to Brent, who just glares at Mark with his dark eyes. I get the coffee from the pantry and make four cups of coffee—one for each of us. Lee finally decides it’s a great idea to join us because he walks in, his hair a styled mess, and takes a seat next to Mark.

           I hand them all their coffees and stand before them. “Okay, Brent. I know what you saw, but this is not what it looks like. These are my—,” I look around at Mark and Lee, “…friends.” I take sip of my coffee.

               Brent stares at me. “And they were in Mom’s bed with you, why?”

               “That, I actually don’t know,” I answer honestly. I remember falling asleep alone and dreaming of a random kiss, but I don’t remember anyone sleeping with me. I look between Mark and Lee. “Any ideas how you both got there?”

                Nobody answers.

             “Where’s Mom?” Brent asks suddenly. I first look at him, confused. Why would he ask that? He obviously knows where Mom is. And then I realize he doesn’t. Because I didn’t tell him. I should’ve told him yesterday right when it happened. It must’ve slipped my mind. Even though it was tough taking in everything going on, I could’ve at least called my own frickin’ brother.

                 I dodge the question. “Before that, I want to introduce you to them.” I gesture my hand to Mark. “This is Mark. He lives next door—just moved in. He’s a great friend.” I move on to Lee. “This is Lee, um, an acquaintance.” Lee glares. “He doesn’t really live in this town….” Brent takes a sip of his coffee. I can’t read his expression. He knows something is up. I gesture my hand to my brother. “And this is Brent, my brother.”

                  Lee’s shoulders relax from their tense position. His eyes are softer now. Mark has a small smile and shakes hands with my brother—all friendly. “Nice to meet you, Brent,” Mark says.