Make Believe: A Novella (11 page)

Chapter 11: Monday, October 7
th
at 6:40pm

APRIL’S POINT OF VIEW

“It wasn’t your fault,” I whispered through my tears. The words were still ringing in my ears. I could still feel her pain, and it broke my heart.

“Then whose fault was it?”

“His fault. Steve’s.”She cringed at his name, and I immediately wished I hadn’t said it, but I knew I had to keep going. I had to change tactics. I couldn’t keep trying to talk her into letting me go. I had to try and help someone with years of damage. “It wasn’t your fault.”

“You hear stories all the time.
I’ve read stories about kid’s screaming or fighting back.”

“You were five, Leah.”

“I could have told my mom. I could have asked for help, but I didn’t. I must have liked it. I must have liked it as much as he did,” she growled and started to stand up.

“No, you were scared
, and you were a baby. He was a man — and one who should have protected you. Instead, he took advantage of his position.”

“But I let him!”
she screamed and proceeded to go on a rampage. I silently watched her run around the room, kicking the walls and banging them with her fists. She grabbed the empty wooden chair and slammed it against the wall until it began to come apart. Bit by bit, it broke more and more. She smashed it until pieces were scattered all over the floor. Then exhausted and in tears, she sank to her knees.

I looked on in
shock and dismay as I witnessed the breakdown of a woman haunted by a horrific past.

“He took the one thing I can never ever get back,” she whispered through her tears.

I took a deep breath, and tried to keep my voice steady.

“That’s not true because you survived.
You are still here, and
you
are living. You chose your destiny — not him, but you.”

“He was the only one
, the only one who could save me. I needed him, and you took him! I needed him to save me, and you took him!” She suddenly turned on me in anger.

“Who? Aiden?”

“You took him, and I hate you.”

Chapter 12
: Five Days Earlier

AIDEN’S POINT OF VIEW

“Seriously, dude, I don’t see the problem,” Murphy chuckled as he took another sip of his beer.

“You really are delusional
, you know,” I teased and held up the pair of pink panties in my hand.

“O
K, let’s just go back a minute. Are you sure that those are this Leah girl’s?” Anthony asked, slightly amused.

“Yes! Why the hell do you find this situation so funny?” I growled.

“Because it is funny! Do you have any idea how many guys would enjoy finding those in their car? She’s just a chick with a crush. Lighten up man,” Murphy replied.

“Did you not listen to all of the things she said in the
motel room? There’s something not right about that girl. You guys might find this whole thing entertaining, but I’m not about to witness the destruction of my marriage before it even starts!” I said in frustration and got up.

“Hey, hey, where are you going?” Anthony asked, standing
up in front of me.

“Home.”

“Aiden, come on man. We were just messing. We didn’t realize you are this bothered. Just cool off a bit, have a drink, and we’ll get to the bottom of this.”

I
hesitated for a minute before giving in.

The truth
is I didn’t want to go home. I was still trying to avoid April. She wanted answers, and I just couldn’t give them to her. Explaining what happened at the motel with Leah would mean having to explain why I lied. I look guilty, and that is the bottom line. I don’t know whether Leah has a thing for me and doesn’t like me having a fiancée, but she is out to destroy me right now.

Sitting down in the chair, I took a deep breath a
nd rubbed my forehead.

“You
OK?” Taise asked, quietly.

“I will be
once I sort out this mess,” I replied.

“Look, dude sorry for making a joke of this
. I didn’t get that it was really getting you down,” Murphy added, calmly.

“It’s
OK. It’s not your fault, it’s mine. I’m the one who lied to April, and I’m the one who got myself into this.”

“Yeah
, but you didn’t know how things were going to turn out. Honestly, I just think she’s playing games with you. She has some stupid school-girl crush, that’s all. She has probably deleted the picture and just wanted to make you sweat a little because you brushed her off,” Murphy added.

“Yeah, you’re probably right
. It was just weird today. She literally acted like nothing had happened.”

“Yeah, it’s all a part of the game. She’s forgotten about it
, and so should you. Forget her, let’s have some fun, yeah?” Murphy said with that mischievous smile on his face.

“Why does the word fun always scare me when it comes out of your mouth?” I questioned.

“Yeah, I second that,” Anthony added.

“Guys, I’m hurt that you would think so little of me,” he said with a huge smirk on his face. “I’ll be back in a bit
. Taise you’re coming with me, I need your help.” Oh dear, this can’t be good.

“Sure,” Taise grumbled, rising to his feet.

“We’ll be back in ten. Stay awake ladies, it’s going to be a long night,” Murphy said before walking out the door, looking extremely pleased with himself.

Seeing Murphy’s look of glee could only mean one thing: trouble.

“You’re quiet,” I said, leaning back in Murphy’s leather chair.

“Just thinking, dude.”

“About?”

“I was just listening to all of what you
were saying,” he said, seriously.

“And?”

“And, I think you’re right. Something’s off about that Leah chick. I been trying to figure something out, and it’s really bugging me.”

“What?”

“Where did Leah’s resume come from? Did you see her bring it in, because I didn’t?”

“No,
that was the day when you and I where both out.”

“Exactly, and how often are you and I out at the same time?”
he asked.

“
Hardly ever,” I answered, not quite sure where this conversation was going.

“Which resume was the only one handed in on the day neither of us were there?”

“Leah’s,” I answered, trying to work out where this was heading.

“Call me crazy
, but I think that she planned this whole thing. I think she’s been watching us for a while. She knew what day to come, she could only start the day that I wouldn’t be there, and she leaves the day before I return. This wasn’t a coincidence Aiden. Whoever she is, she’s chosen to stay clear of me for a reason.”

“But it doesn’t make any sense. Why target me if her vendetta is with you?”

“She’s not targeting you, Aiden. She’s leaving clues.” The look on Anthony’s face was serious for once, and he had me a little worried.

“Well, who
is she? A girl from your past?” I asked.

“I have no idea
, but I’m sure as hell going to find out. There’s a reason why she doesn’t want me to see her, and I think I need to know why.”

The sound of the front door opening ended the
conversation.

“Until we figure this out
, let’s just keep it between me and you, OK?” he asked me before the others joined us. “And not a word of this to the girls, OK?”

“Yeah.”

“Hey kids, daddy’s home!” Murphy announced.

“You
’d make one creepy dad,” Anthony said, making us all laugh.

“Do you know how many girls
would like to call me daddy?” he said, grinning.

“It
had better be none. Otherwise my fist and your face are about to have a very intimate encounter,” I growled and looked at him.

“Dude, you really need to lighten up on the whole me and Crystal thing man
. We’re all adults around here, right?” he chuckled.

“
Thin ice,
Daddy
, thin ice,” Anthony teased as he grabbed the bag out of Murphy’s hand. “What’s all this crap?” he asked with a puzzled look on his face.

“
We’re playing strip poker,” he said, seriously.

We all froze
, and as we kept our eyes on Murphy, he suddenly burst out laughing. “Oh, the look on your faces,” he said as he continued laughing by himself. “Classic, absolute classic.”

“Moron,” Anthony said
, then slapped Murphy upside his head.

“No! The head and
the face are no-go areas. They’re too precious,” he moaned as Anthony rolled his eyes.

“What’s this stuff?”

“Part of our next activity. It’s the last of Marissa’s clothes. I thought we could pee on them, and then set them on fire,” he said seriously.

“He’s not kidding is he?” I asked Taise.

“Nope, been trying to talk sense in to him on the way back,” he said in disbelief.

“Time?” I asked Ant.

“Time,” he agreed, and right on cue we both hit the moron in his head again.

“Ouch, you guys are going to give me amnesia if you keep smacking me around like that!”

“Oh shut up, you douche!” Anthony replied, smiling.

“Did you
Google it?” I asked.

“
Um...not yet,” he said, shyly. I shook my head and laughed to myself.

“So what are we actually doing tonight, dude, I thought you had it all planned?” Anthony asked impatiently.

“Why? What time does Cinderella have to leave the ball?” Murphy teased. I tried not to laugh, but it was funny. We all knew Jess was going to call, and tell him to get home soon. It was only a matter of time.

“
Shut up! I go home when I want. I’m a man,” Anthony claimed, sticking out his chest a little.

“Oh yeah, and what time would that be?” Murphy pushed as his smile increased.

“Well, I’m tired so probably around eleven.”

It was silent for about two seconds before the three of us were howling in laughter.

“Even Cinderella got til midnight! You are so whipped man!” Murphy said, trying to control his laughter.

Anthony threw me
a glance, but the smile on my face told him that he was not getting any help from me .

“Yeah
, and if you don’t shut up, I’m going to leave behind more than a glass slipper,” he replied.

“Oh,
so sensitive,” Murphy teased. “And, for those of us whose balls are still intact, I have
The Godfather
,” he stated, proudly.

“You’re a moron
, but a moron with good taste,” Anthony laughed messing up Murphy’s hair with his fist.

“What can I say, my
taste is impeccable, right Aiden?” he said as he winked at me.

Knowing that he was referring to Crystal, I
grabbed a pillow and hauled off and hit him straight in the face. It was so hard it knocked him off the edge of the chair, causing us all to start laughing.

“Ah dude
, that was uncalled for,” he said, pushing himself off the floor.

“I would pay to see that again,” Anthony laughed.

“It can be arranged.”

“Shut up man, it
wasn’t that funny,” Murphy moaned and rubbed his head.

“It kinda was
,” Taise added, still laughing.

“Quit being a baby
, and put the movie on,” Anthony said.

“Shut up! I’ll put it on when I want to. And luck
ily for you, I want to put it on now,” he said, making us laugh all over again.

After five minutes of Murphy telling us to shut up
, and us laughing about him falling, we finally got into the movie. Nothing beats a night in with the guys watching
The Godfather
.

* * *

“That film is epic!” Murphy said as he turned the lights back on.

“I second that,” Anthony agreed
, stretched his arms in the air, and yawned. “Right, I’m beat. I’m heading home.”

“Oh
, come on man. It’s only ten fifteen,” Murphy groaned.

I suddenly felt the vibration of my phone in my pocket and wondered if April was finally ready to talk.

Leah? I opened up the message and found myself getting angry.

This motel bed is so cold without you ;)