“Public things where you’d be seen.”
“Yes.” My lips flattened in anger. “Public things where we’d be seen so people wouldn’t think he was gay. Nothing about us was real. I get it, okay? And what the hell is wrong with being gay, anyway?”
He reared back like I was dangerous. Smart man.
“Well?” I demanded.
“I got no problem with it. Not my thing, but whatever.”
Then someone tapped on the kitchen door, opened it (without invitation), and stepped inside. Someone dressed in a sharp black tuxedo. Rage got me in a stranglehold and I jumped to my feet.
“I’m going to fucking kill you!”
CHAPTER FIVE
“You,” I roared, charging at him.
Chris’s handsome face instantly hardened.
A strong arm wrapped around my middle, lifting me off my feet. I was pulled back against a rock-hard body, my feet flailing in midair for the second time that day.
“You lied to me, you bastard. All along, you lied.” I struggled, pushing at Vaughan’s arms and kicking at his legs. All he did was grunt and tighten his hold around my waist. Damn, he was strong. I was getting nowhere. But did I let that stop me? Hell no. Reason and I had long since parted ways. “You like dick, not *. You used me!”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Chris sneered. “Get yourself under control, Lydia.”
“I’m going to kill you.”
“Babe, calm down,” Vaughan whispered in my ear.
“Let me go.”
“Don’t think that’s a good idea. You wanted to stay out of jail, remember?”
“I want to kill him more,” I panted. “Much, much more.”
“No, you’re a nice girl. You follow the rules.”
“Fuck nice. I want to dance on his grave!”
“Are you drunk?” With sharp movements, Chris tore at his bow tie, removing the scrap of silk from around his neck. His gaze raked over me, clearly unimpressed. “You are, aren’t you? God knows, you look ridiculous. What the hell happened to you, Lydia? We’ve been searching everywhere for you. Do you realize how many people are waiting over at the house?”
“They’ll be waiting a hell of a long time. I saw you and Paul together.”
Fear flashed in his eyes. But he covered it quickly, raising his chin sky high. “So? I told you we’d be having a few drinks last night. That can hardly be the cause for all this.”
“You were making out.”
All expression left his face. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Having sex.”
“Stop it.”
“Screwing.”
His hands curled into fists. “Shut your mouth, Lydia!”
“You don’t talk to her that way,” said Vaughan, voice low and deadly. Still holding me back, however.
Loud banging came from the front door. Next thing we knew, Chris’s demonic platinum-blond excuse for a mother came marching inside, glowering all the while. His father came a step behind her, expression equally thunderous. Awesome. Now the party could really begin.
“Fuck’s sake.” Vaughan hefted me up, holding me closer. “No one in this town respect property rights anymore?”
“You should really lock your doors,” I mumbled, giving up the struggle. For the moment, at least.
“Windows too.” He grunted, unamused.
“Samantha. Ray.” I stood tall. Or as tall as Vaughan’s grip would allow. The woman’s laser-like eyes cut through me, not even bothering with the guy who owned the place. Next my cell phone was thrust in my face. The all too familiar moaning and groaning of Chris and Paul’s porn filled the room.
“This is your phone,” she hissed. “What the hell is this?”
“Why, it’s your son and his bestie having sex.”
Behind me, Chris made a strangled sound. It warmed my cold hard soul.
“Impossible.” The woman swept into the house, her husband hot on her heels. It was almost impressive the way she could constantly look down her nose at everything. You’d think it would give her a headache eventually. Paul came skulking behind them, sticking to the wall, ready to bolt at any moment. As well he might, smarmy bastard. Were it not for Vaughan’s hold, I’d have been tempted to attack him too.
My blood, it boiled. “No, it’s not impossible. You see, Samantha, when two men really love each other and have some lubrica—”
“Lies!” The woman bared her pearlescent teeth. “How dare you.”
“Me? It’s your son that’s been lying, not me. And considering half the damn town apparently knows about him playing for the other team, I highly doubt you were caught completely unaware.”
“Those are nothing but malicious rumors!” One bloodred talon pointed straight at my heart. “You did this somehow.”
“Me?” I scoffed. “Right. So what … I bought a strap-on, dressed up as Paul, and somehow convinced Chris to let me peg him on camera?”
Vaughan huffed out a laugh, his grip on me loosening.