Lies On The Lips

Part Seventeen

Brett

Waking up wrapped in my boyfriend's arms is the best damn feeling in the world, and it's friday. We didn't get our promised weekend away before, but we got this weekend to ourselves. His dad's leaving on a business trip and I couldn't give a rats ass where mine will be. So one more day of school, one more day of pretend and I get him all to myself. To be us, free and nothing will stop it. Not a damn thing in this world will stop it.

He groans and wiggles closer. "Mmmm, morning." He mumbles.

I shiver, the excitement spreading through me is too much and I squeeze a big breath of air from his lungs. "Morning sexy guy."

"Jesus, I'm...suffocating…"

I chuckled and let go to look at him. He squinted, then graced me with a smile. "What's got you?"

"You have," I chide. "The weekend fuckery."

"You're mad ...completely," he stops, kisses my head. "Mad, but I love it."

"We should get ready for school."

He grumbles something and slides from the bed. I watched him in awe, in all his naked glory. "Like what you see?" he says, waggling his eyebrows. "Look at me Brett, I'm all happy this morning."

"I can see that." I replied, letting my eyes slide down his body to his rather exposed morning glory.

"I need a piss."

"With a boner?"

"Well, it's natural. I wake up next to my hot boyfriend and he mentions fuckery. My blood left my head making me dumb and horny."

"Shower?" I ask.

"Yeah, but first I need to tell you something."

I knew this was coming. "No weekend to ourselves?"

Cope rushed to my side and grabbed my hands. "You know how much I wanted to be with you, just us. But I got the job at Inked. Jaxx messaged while you were sleeping. I start later."

"It's fine." And there was me saying nothing would stop it.

"You don't look fine."

Rubbing my fingers down his warm cheek, I smiled. "I am fine, obviously it's a blow, but you getting that job is more important...because it means independence, for both of us sooner."

"Brett, move in with me."

"What?"

He shook his head. "Not here, I mean our own place. We can do it as soon as possible. What do you think?"

"Our dads will kill us."

"No, no they won't. They can't touch us Brett, you know that." I knew he was right. I needed to finally break away from my dad. I'm losing my shit with even just a second spent with that man. "I'm so sorry, I let you down."

"Cope," I said, pulling his face to mine. "You can never let me down, ever. You're the one person who can make me feel more alive than anything. So let's just get ready for school."

"You amaze me," he utters, walking away. "I'm an asshole, everyone knows it, you've felt the brunt of it yet you love me so much."

I pinched his soft butt cheek. "Of course I love you. You're my soulmate, always was, always will be, baby."

"Baby?" He frowns.

"Yeah, baby. Get used to it." I say rushing past him and switching the hot water on. "You're my baby."

"And your fucking adorable."

Lies On The Lips

Cope’s job sucks. I mean, it’s awesome for him, but it sucks for me. I’m stuck hanging out at my house to pass the time. Maybe I need a job too. I walk over to my window to see if he’s back, but the driveway next door is empty. And it’s hailing. The trapped feeling intensifies. I type out a text to him.

Me: Weather’s getting bad.

His reply is instant.

Cope: Almost home sugar.

I let out a sigh of relief. It’s been a month since Cope and I had sex for the first time, and since then, we’ve become inseparable. Like maybe that night united us in a way neither of us ever thought possible. He’s my first and hopefully my forever. I don’t want anyone else. Just Cope. And while he’s yet to let me fuck him back, I know he secretly craves it. He has no qualms against my tongue or fingers inside his ass.

My phone buzzes again, but it’s not Cope.

Dad: Tonight at Le Gavroche. Dress sharp. 

What the hell? 

Me: I’m busy.

Dad: You have dinner with your future in-laws. If it’s any consolation, the trash next door will be there too.

Me: What? Why?

Dad: Stop asking a million questions and show up. Seven.

Moments later, Cope texts me.

Cope: Dinner????? Don’t they torture us enough just by existing?

I let out a snort as I replied.

Me: Get over here and quick so I have time to fuck you before we leave.

His nonresponse over my joke has me chuckling. If only.

Le Gavroche is an upscale restaurant that overlooks the Missouri River. It’s a place I’ve been to a thousand times with my parents. The most expensive restaurant in town, usually reserved for celebrations. Now that Cope and I are here, and we find the large table, I realize we’re celebrating with Police Commissioner Jesse Sounder’s family and also Mayor Paul Michaels’ family. I cringe because I hate this schmoozing shit, but it’s Cope’s gentle palm at the small of my back that keeps me going.

Eyes burn into us and I catch the stare of the mayor’s son, Paul. He's been a friend to Cope for the two years we didn't speak and also the one now dating his ex, Ashley, although she's not here, thankfully. You’d think the guy would be happy he got the girl. Instead, he watches Cope as though he’s someone who can be devoured. Poor Paul doesn’t realize Cope is the one with fangs here. Paul quickly looks away and it’s then I understand he’s lost to a stare down against Cope. Pride surges through me. Cope is the strongest guy I know. Some twerp won’t be able to intimidate him. Because it's Cope's hand at the small of my back that relaxes me and makes me feel that little bit braver.

At least if I have to do this, we do it together. Until Cope's eyes fall onto his dads and mine falls onto my parents along with Leah's parents. This sucks, big time. As soon as my dad sees me, he puts on that fake front. He and Mom chirp about how wonderful it is to see me and Copeland together. Like old times. Fake. Bryan watches us with interest. I try to pull back so as not to gain his suspicion, but he’s already locked onto his son like a missile on a target.

"There you are," Gil announced. "Leah needs cheering up."

I locked eyes with Leah who seemed seconds from breaking apart so I rushed over to her and slipped in next to her. "What's wrong?" I ask quietly against her hair. Her body trembles, and I hug her. Cope deals with his dad and my own goes on about talks with the community and its future, blah, blah, blah, I don't fucking care. "Talk to me." I whisper.

Leah pulls away slightly, her eyes watery with emotions. "Something bad."

I frown, taking her hands into mine and straightening her ring on her finger. "How bad?" She sniffles and shrugs. "Not good enough. Tell me."

"I...I'm pregnant." She chokes out.

Paul from the other side drops his fork, making a loud clang that has several adults turning their heads our way. I try to explain with only my eyes to Cope, that this is really bad.

"You're pregnant!?" Paul asks loudly.

Her eyes widen when people start whispering. "Don't worry," I assure her, before turning my attention to the table. "This changes nothing, having a baby a little sooner is just something we will deal with together, right sweetheart."

Her face sours, but she nods quickly, eager to get the attention off her, because no one can know who the real father is.

"In that case," dad bellows. "You should get married sooner, you can't have a baby and not be married."

I shoot him a murderous glare. "There's no rush."

"Now, I beg your pardon, son," Gil grumbles. "If you're going to knock up my daughter, then you're going to make an honest woman out of her. I will not have her known as the town trash."

She winces at his words and Paul snorts. I glower at him until he looks away. "Where not getting marr…."

Dad stops me with his booming voice. "This weekend, we will start looking for starter homes. I can book a minister to perform the service."

"It's not his," Cope cuts in.

What the hell is he doing? Leah starts shaking her head in warning. For whatever reason, she doesn’t want them to know whose baby it is.

"What?" Both Gil and my dad hiss. I gape in horror. Leah's not much better from beside me, because it's not mine or Cope's, so why? And Bryan? Bryan smirks in a devilish way that indicates he knows exactly what his son is going to say. Triumph written all over his damn face.

Cope stands up. "The baby is mine." And with those words he storms off. My dad curses and Bryan, just laughs.

Fuck.

Fuck!

Fuck!!