18. Liar
Chapter Eighteen
LIAR
T he good Samaritan was Texas gone showgirl in her red cowboy boots and sequin bra. The friendly brunette must be a performer. It was really kind of her to offer a band-aid for my shin. Right neighborly, as a Texan might say.
I followed her away from the bowl, Tom at my back while held my board with trembling fingers.
I’d pushed too hard, but I was starting to get antsy in the hotel.
I wanted Nix, but I couldn’t follow him around like a kitten, it would be too embarrassing.
He’d made it clear that he didn’t want me at the dinner with his crew, and then after meeting Trixie, who was a glamorous goddess even in her serious boots, I couldn’t blame him.
There was no Alabama debutante who would fill her shoes, and if she was the kind of woman he was used to being around, having in his bed, or whatever hotel he took her to, well, I just focused on doing my own thing and making the most out of each day.
I liked his notes. And his texts. Maybe he’d have more time on the weekend for us to casually bump into each other.
Her big blue car was a boat. I loved it. “Your car is fabulous. I have a yellow Camaro that…” I trailed off when I saw the other women who had followed me, walking on either side of Tom. Trixie was there, and on the other side an aristocratic looking woman with ice in her eyes and pink in her hair.
“Nix said you have a sticky gear shift. I’ll have to take a look at it,” Trix said then crossed her arms over her chest. Her extremely generous and probably natural perfect breasts.
Jezebel’s breasts were even more enormous, but much less natural looking.
Not that I should judge people by their breasts.
What was wrong with me? Beastie choosing to date Christina instead of me because of her perfect breasts.
It had traumatized me. I should text him and tell him what a loser he was to choose breasts over adorableness.
Also tell him he needed to pay for my therapy.
“Thanks, but you don’t need to bother,” I said. So this was the crew. Which of the women was the dangerous Jezebel? I was betting on the brunette with icy eyes, although her hair threw me off.
“Here’s my first-aid kit,” the smiley Texan said, pulling out a fishing box. “Sit on the trunk and I’ll fix you up.”
I couldn’t resist her hospitality, so I hopped up and let her examine it. It was pretty bad for such a stupid injury, but I healed quickly.
She cleaned it out and put ointment over it and a bandage, all without causing me the slightest discomfort. The woman must be part of the home health care team. Her hands were really gentle.
“Thanks,” I said, smiling at her sincerely when she finished and stood up. “I appreciate it. I get so clumsy sometimes.”
“Not when you’re on your board,” the pink-haired ice-queen stated.
“I guess it looks like that. You must be Jezebel?” I said, trying to look friendly.
“Oh, no, sugar, I’m Jezzie. That’s Dani Divine, the cellist,” the glam Texan said with a sparkling smile.
“I’ve never had pink hair before, but she makes it look tempting, doesn’t she?
That’s why we call her, Pinkie. Tell me, what’s your story?
How’d you end up in Vegas with a degenerate like Nix?
” Her voice was honey, but it was hard to read her eyes.
I glanced at Trixie who wasn’t smiling. She already knew the story. Had she not told the other women about it? They were as stunning as Trixie in different ways. The cool cellist didn’t try to be outgoing or friendly, while the voluptuous Texan poured it on thick.
I licked my lips. I needed some serious liquid or I’d start cramping and then all my joints would fall apart.
Would Tom step in if they beat me up? “I’m sorry if you had your heart set on him for yourself.
I didn’t mean to step on anyone’s toes. We’re not together the way you think.
After six months, he’ll be available again, and you won’t have to worry about me getting in the way. ”
Jezebel’s smile faded a bit. “What happens in six months?”
“We’ll get a divorce. That’s the plan. It’s not a romantic thing like you’re thinking, it’s just convenient for both of us. I had a situation I needed to get away from, and he had a deal he couldn’t refuse.”
“Well, that’s awfully cold-blooded,” Jezebel drawled.
I sighed heavily. “Maybe, but I understand where he’s coming from. You can’t run away from expectations forever. It was so nice to meet you, but I’ve really got to get some liquid after that long run.”
“She means you,” the pink-haired cellist said, stepping in front of me to block me. “Cold-blooded to take six months of marriage from someone you don’t care about.”
I blinked at her. “Oh. You don’t want him for yourself?”
She smiled, but it wasn’t a nice smile. “I’m married to Dirk. Trix isn’t interested in dating, and Jezebel is pining for her first love. Not Nix. We’re his friends.”
“Ah. You think I’m a cold-blooded gold-digger who’ll end up breaking his heart.
You’re right. I definitely married Nix for what he could give me, but I’m not looking for money.
I want safety and sex, but can you blame me?
Have you seen him naked? Maybe that’s cold-blooded, but am I really supposed to live my life worrying about what other people think about the temperature of my blood?
If Nix isn’t satisfied, he can tell me. I intend to keep him very satisfied.
If you aren’t emotionally involved, then it’s none of your concern.
” I gave her a sunny smile. She was probably going to give me bruises, but I was a quick healer, and I had my board.
I probably shouldn’t have stuck all the sex lies in there, but Beastie thought I was a pathological liar, so I had to prove him right sometimes.
“We’re not here to make you feel bad about marrying Nix,” Trixie said, frowning slightly at the cellist. “We’re here to kidnap you as a welcome to Las Vegas. We’re meeting the other girls at the shooting range.”
“A shooting range?” Didn’t that sound welcoming?
“Nix said that you could use a conceal carry license. After your six months together, he’d like you to be able to stand on your own two feet,” Jezebel said sweetly and brushed my hair back. “You do need some water. Look how flushed you are. It only makes you look all the more pretty and sweet.”
“Jezebel,” Trixie said, like Jezebel was being inappropriate, but I’d known a few Texans.
“You’re here to take me to learn how to shoot a gun?
Nix sent you?” I felt so uncertain and also kind of shivery and as a rush of warmth flowed through me.
It was probably just dehydration, not the fact that the most beautiful man in the world had actually included me in his life. I pulled out my phone and called him.
“Hey, Kitten,” he said in a growly voice that made my stomach curl. I’d missed him so much.
It took me a second to clear my throat. “Thanks for the surprise! I thought they were going to beat me up, but it’s really sweet of you to plan them to come and teach me how to shoot guns. Can we do a self-defense lesson tonight after you get home to work? You’ll probably be too tired, but?—”
“Self-defense tonight is perfect. I’m glad you like the shooting thing. It’s good to hear your voice. You sure you’re okay?”
“I’m great, just a little thirsty. Anyway, I don’t mean to disturb you at work. I’ll see you later.” I hung up and turned to smile at Jezebel. “I thought he didn’t want me to meet you guys, but if he sent you, then he’s not embarrassed by me, right?”
She looped an arm around me and handed a bottle of some kind of clear liquid with foreign writing on it.
Chinese? “Of course he’s not embarrassed by you, Kitten.
And now that you reported to your parole officer, let’s have some fun.
” She winked at me and then let go of me and swung over the door and into the driver’s side.
Trixie opened the door and took the passenger’s seat while the cellist climbed into the back. They all looked at me expectantly, while I looked at Tom.
“I guess I’m going on a shooting spree with these charming ladies.”
“Sure thing. Have her home by eight or Nix’ll have your false eyelashes,” Tom said with a serious nod.
“I don’t have false lashes,” the cellist said coolly.
“I was talking to Jezebel,” Tom replied.
Jezebel laughed airily. “You’re warning the wrong person. It’s Trixie’s girl’s night. We might go for tacos and virgin margaritas afterwards, and if we are then forced to go to a club to dance off some calories, well, who can help that?”
Tom sighed heavily and frowned at me. “You’ll be safe with them if they don’t get you killed. Your choice. You can come back to the hotel with me if you want.”
Was that supposed to be comforting? “Oh, I’m sure it’ll be fine,” I said and then slipped into the backseat with the foreign water and my board.
“Bye, Tom! See you soon!” I waved at him and fell over against the pink-haired cellist when Jezebel pulled out aggressively. Maybe she’d kill me with her driving.
I hung on while the wind blew my hair around and her engine growled.
“What instrument do you want to play?” the cellist asked loud enough to be heard over the engine and the wind.
“I’m not musical,” I said, shaking my head.
“What instrument do you want to play?” the girl repeated. Was she psychotic? Maybe I was mishearing her.
“I’m not musical,” I repeated, as loud as I could.
“If I have to play a guitar, you have to play something,” Trixie said over her shoulder.
“Why?” I yelled back. Her thick curls were flying all over the place while we drove into the desert.
“It’s part of my Girl’s Night,” the cellist said, like it was obvious.