Truth or Dare (Kingston Brothers Book 2) Read online

  I shrug. “Why would I lie? Cill knows me, and it sucks to see that happen to him. He’s a good guy, you know?”

  London nods. She didn’t grow up here in Gaspar, but now that she’s with Royce, she sees his brothers often, and I know she adores them.

  “You haven’t heard from him yet?”

  I shake my head as I swallow down my food. “I doubt he’ll reach out. I’m sure they already talked, but I hope he was smart enough to dump her ass and not give her another chance.”

  “Royce hasn’t mentioned anything about it, so I don’t even think he’s told his brothers yet.”

  “Maybe his ego is bruised. Cheating on someone can really do a number on their self-esteem. I was thinking about this when I told him. Cillian is hot as fuck! I mean, come on, he walks in the room and everybody looks. He’s just one of those people. There’s no way he should ever feel like shit about himself, but when someone chooses to fuck you over like that, it hurts.”

  London frowns, and I know it’s because she’s thinking about what happened to me a few years ago. My lovely boyfriend at the time, Matthew, decided to cheat on me, and to make matters worse it was with a woman who worked with me, and who he knew I didn’t like. For a while I didn’t think my heart would ever heal, and my confidence went down the drain. It was awful. It took me a long time to figure out it wasn’t about me. He was just a dick.

  “Maybe you can talk to him,” London offers. “You’re not a bullshitter, and you know what he’s going through. Tug on that common thread and let him know what you know.”

  I nod. “Maybe I’ll text him later.”

  “Good.” London focuses on her food. “Now, let’s plan this lake house trip.”

  I send Cillian a text at six-thirty, not really expecting him to respond, but wanting to reach out anyway. I started and deleted three different messages before settling on one and pressing send.

  Midge: Hey. How’s everything?

  I’m sure he’ll know what I’m referring to. I put my phone down on the couch and get up to look for something to eat in the kitchen.

  My house was built in the sixties, but it doesn’t feel that old. The kitchen is nice and big with plenty of counter space, and more cabinets than I need, but I’d rather it be too big than too small. My underused dining area sits off to the right of the kitchen with a small table and two chairs. I mainly use the table for work purposes and eat on my couch.

  I open the fridge and realize it’s probably been two weeks since I went grocery shopping, and since I loathe being in the grocery store, I tend to only buy enough food to last a week.

  The pantry is nearly as bare, with some chips, canned goods, a couple boxes of cereal, and a half-eaten carton of cookies. I go back to the fridge, thinking something will have changed from two minutes ago. I pick up the gallon of milk only to be disappointed in the small amount left. Not even enough for a decent sized bowl of cereal.

  “Fuck it.” I grab my keys and decide to head to McDonald’s.

  As soon as I grab my phone, it goes off. Cillian responded.

  Cillian: All good. Thanks again.

  Men. Never giving us the details until we wrench it out of them.

  Midge: So, you’re okay?

  I want to ask more. I want to ask if he broke up with her. I want to know if she tried lying about it. I want to know if he told her it was me that told him, and if I need to worry about a crazy bitch coming to fight me. But I also don’t want to come off as nosy as I am. Jesus McChrist, can’t men just spill out all the deets without us begging for them?

  Cillian: I’m fine. Just about to head over to Elijah’s.

  Oh yeah. Sunday. The day they all get together for dinner. I know Zoe went a few times, and London’s been going since her and Royce got together. I think it’s nice that the brothers still make time for family. Which reminds me, I need to talk to my grandparents.

  Midge: Okay. Enjoy!

  The three little dots pop up in the bubble, but after a little while they go away. I swipe to my contacts and call my gramma while I look for my wallet. She answers immediately.

  “Hey, Gramma. It’s your favorite granddaughter.”

  She laughs. “I was just about to call your momma. What’re you up to, girl?”

  “Just heading out to get some food. I really need to go grocery shopping.”

  “Make sure you lock your door.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” I reply, flicking on the outdoor light before locking the door behind me. “Is Mom in trouble?”

  Gramma laughs again. “Isn’t she always? No, I was just gonna ask her to swing by tomorrow to help me with a little project.”

  “Making more birdhouses?”

  “All done with the birdhouses, and I’ll tell you what, those little birdies love them.”

  It’s my turn to laugh. “I bet they’re very grateful.”

  “Yeah, yeah. I know you’re not fond of birds like your gramma.”

  “One pooped on me!”

  “Oh, so they’re all bad?”

  I shake my head as I laugh and open up my car door. “Anyway, I’m about to start driving, but—”

  “Well, get off the phone, baby.”

  “Gramma, I’m not driving yet. Just sitting here, looking at my house. Still safe in the driveway.”

  “Oh. Okay then. Don’t forget to wear your seatbelt.”

  “I know. But hey, I wanted to ask about the lake house.”

  “What about it?”

  “Is anyone staying in it right now?”

  “I don’t think so. Let me ask your granddaddy. Winston, is anyone staying in the lake house right now? Winston!” I hear my granddad mumble something in the background. “The lake house. There’s no tenants there, right?”

  After a little more back and forth between them, she gets back on the phone. “Child, I don’t know when he became such an old man, but I swear he can’t hear anything I say.”

  “Maybe it’s just selective hearing,” I say with a chuckle.

  She scoffs. “I don’t think we’re scheduled to have anyone in there until August, so this month is free. You tryin’ to go up there?”

  “I have a friend who needs to get away for a bit, but also is gonna paint a picture of the house for Mom.”

  “Oh, she’d love that. She’s always been so fond of that little house. I don’t know why she doesn’t visit more often.”

  “She blames work. So, it’s free the rest of the month?”

  “Yep.”

  “Great. I’ll get the keys soon. Thanks, Gramma.”

  “Of course, baby. I love you. Be safe.”

  “Love you, too!”

  I end the call with a smile on my face. Now I can call Cillian and let him know the lake house is free to use for the rest of the month. I’m happy that I'll be able to do something for him that will hopefully make him feel a little better.

  5

  Cillian

  “Well, it’s over for good,” I announce as I walk into Elijah’s kitchen.

  Both he and Royce turn and gaze at me with confusion. “What’re you talkin’ about?” Royce asks, tearing off a piece of a roll and popping it into his mouth.

  “Me and Zoe. It’s done.”

  Royce chuckles and turns back to whatever’s cooking on the stove. Elijah keeps studying me.

  “You good?” E asks.

  “Y’all will be back together in a couple weeks,” Royce drawls. “You’ve broken up, what, seven times?”

  I toss my keys onto the island and lean my hip up against it, crossing my arms. “Not happening this time. She was cheating on me.”

  Royce spins around, his bright green eyes going wide as he looks at me. “No shit?”

  “No shit,” I mutter, stealing a roll from a dish on the counter. “Some stuffy guy in a suit.”

  “You know him?” Royce questions.

  I shake my head. “Nah.”

  “Sorry, man. That’s tough,” Elijah says. “Want a drink?”

  “Yea
h, that’d be good. You know, I thought something was going on with her. All the signs were there, you know?” I shake my head. “Whatever. It’s not like it was the healthiest relationship. You’re right, we broke up too often.”

  Royce’s lips draw down into a frown. “But still. It’s fucked up. You deserve to be pissed.”

  Elijah comes back in and hands me a drink.

  “Oh, I’m pissed. She could’ve just broken up with me, but I’m not gonna go into a depression over it. Shit happens, right?”

  My brothers continue to look at me, not saying a word, like they think I’m feeding them bullshit before I break down and cry. But the truth is, I’m not going to mourn our relationship. It wasn’t the best. Yeah, I’m mad about what she did, but it’s not like I want her back.

  “All right, well, dinner is about done,” E announces.

  “What is it?” I ask, peeking over their shoulders to get a look at the stove.

  “Balsamic chicken and potatoes.”

  “Yum.”

  “Set the table,” Elijah orders.

  I roll my eyes at Royce who smirks in response.

  “Where’s Lo?”

  “She’ll be here for dessert. She was on the phone with her mom when I talked to her last.”

  I nod, and right before I sit down, my phone rings.

  “It’s Midge,” I say before answering.

  “Hey, what’s up?”

  “Hey! I have some good news for you.”

  “Oh yeah? What’s that?”

  “The house on the lake is free for the rest of this month. I hope you’re ready to take some time off from the tattoo shop and get away, because it’s happening, baby. Whoo whoo!”

  I laugh. “Was that an impersonation of a train? That was awful.”

  “Oh shut up. Didn’t you hear the rest? The lake house? Getting away? A break from work?”

  “I heard. Thanks, Midge. I’ll check my schedule at work and get some time off, then I’ll let you know.”

  “Cool. I’ll let you go since I know it’s dinner time. Call me!”

  She doesn’t give me time to respond before she hangs up. I put my phone down and look up to see my brothers staring at me.

  “What?”

  “Time off? You’re taking time off?” Royce questions.

  “That doesn’t happen often,” E chimes in.

  “I know. Midge wants me to paint something for her mom, and she thinks getting away will be good for me. Something about getting my creative juices flowing again.”

  “Well, that’s nice of her.”

  “Well, she’s getting something out of it,” I say.

  “You may end up getting more out of this little trip than you think,” Elijah states.

  I shrug. “We’ll see. It will be nice to get some new scenery.”

  “Lake Erie?” Elijah questions.

  “Yeah.”

  “Nice,” Royce mumbles around a mouthful of food.

  I don’t stick around too long after dinner this time. I’m determined to try to get some painting done, so after we’ve finished our food and cleaned up, I say bye to my brothers and drive to my studio.

  With a long and gentle stroke, cerulean blue streaks across the canvas, creating the beginnings of a darkening sky. Once the sky is complete, with shades of blue, yellow, and orange coming together to create a vivid sunset, I start working on a dying tree set in the foreground.

  I take a few steps back to inspect the work-in-progress, then grab a bottle of black paint and squirt it over the entire thing.

  “Absolute shit.”

  I take the ruined canvas and transport it to another easel next to me, and then grab a new one from the floor. I pull my stool up and stare at the blank canvas, waiting for something to come to mind. I haven’t painted a piece I’ve been proud of in almost a year. My brothers have tried telling me they’ve looked fine, but I know I can do better.

  The last one I loved was showcased in an art show in Philadelphia, and sold within the first hour. It was an oil painting of a woman, her body angled to the left with her chin pressed against her bare shoulder and her eyes looking up and straight at you. Her hair was flying forward, as if the wind was blowing from behind her, but within the strands of hair were thoughts I believed this woman was having.

  I am brave.

  I am strong.

  I am not my past.

  I am capable.

  I am driven.

  I am damaged, but I am surviving.

  I do not need your pity.

  I do not seek your approval.

  There were more messages hidden in the splashes of color that created her hair. It was as if the wind were blowing her thoughts through the strands. I don’t feel like I’ve created anything quite as powerful since then.

  Then again, I’ve been struggling with my relationship with Zoe, and I think that’s what’s taken a toll on me. I’ve been constantly on edge and stressed out. I don’t remember the last time I felt truly, one hundred percent happy. And perhaps that was because of the rollercoaster that was my relationship.

  However, now that it’s over, I’m hoping things will start changing. Based on the ruined picture to my right, I’m not one hundred percent sure, but maybe this trip to Lake Erie will help.

  I decide to call it a night, because I just don’t feel like I’m in the right headspace to create anything. I’d just be wasting supplies.

  I gather my keys and wallet and take a quick look around the sparse room. Midge is right, this isn’t the best space to be creative. Maybe I should paint the walls and fix the flickering light at the very least.

  After locking the place up, I hop on my motorcycle and ride the short distance to my tattoo shop, Work of Art. Since it’s closed, it’s the best time to pop in and take a look at my schedule.

  Once inside, I lock the door behind me and keep the lights off so nobody thinks we’re open. I turn on the computer and go into the schedule. The only time I can really get away with taking off is the last two weeks of the month, and that’s only if I can convince Wes, Khalil, and Bree to cover some shifts for me. I don’t have appointments scheduled for those weeks, since I’m only supposed to be here for walk-ins, so it should be okay.

  I put in ten days off in the computer and plan to talk to the other workers tomorrow to confirm. On my way out, I pull out my phone and call Midge.

  “It’s way too late to be calling me, Cill. Unless, of course, you’re hurt or dying,” she says as soon as she answers.

  “Oh shit.” I pull my phone away from my ear and look at the time. It’s nearly one-thirty in the morning. “Sorry. I didn’t even realize what time it was.”

  She yawns. “Yeah, yeah. What’s up?”

  “Oh, I was just calling to tell you I put in for ten days of leave at the end of the month.”

  “Oh, good. Well, London is already making plans to stay up there for a weekend, so we’ll probably head up next weekend, and then right as we’re leaving, you’ll be coming, so I can hang back and show you around a bit before we leave.”

  “Sounds good.” I pause, leaning against the front of my building. “Just you and London? Or is Royce going?”

  “You know what? She’ll probably invite him. Great. I’ll be the third wheel.”

  I laugh. “Why don’t you make it a big thing? Invite Jon and Daniel to go too.”

  “Then I’ll be the fifth wheel. That doesn’t help.”

  “Oh. I guess you’re right,” I say with a chuckle. “Maybe I can meet you guys up there Saturday night. I might be late, and you’ll have to be fifth wheelin’ it Friday, but that’s all I can offer.”

  She’s quiet for a beat. “Mm. I guess that could work. I’ll figure out all the details and let you know.”

  “All right. Well, I’ll let you go back to sleep. Sorry for waking you.”

  “No worries. Just don’t let it happen again.”

  I let out a short chuckle, then the call ends. She’s crazy, but at least she makes me laugh.
Then again, she always has.

  6

  Midge

  At the end of the workday, London comes into my office with a grin on her face. “How bad is it that I’m already dreaming about our lake weekend?”

  I look up from some loan paperwork. “Not bad. Unless you’re actually dreaming about it. Then that’s weird.”

  “I dreamt I went skinny dipping in the lake,” she says with a laugh.

  “Oh God. Please don’t do that.”

  “Oh shush.” She sits in the chair opposite my desk. “So, is it okay if Royce comes?” she asks, biting down on her thumb nail.

  I twist my mouth at her. “Figured he’d be coming. I talked to Cill last night and he suggested inviting Jon and Daniel, too. Then he’ll try to make it late Saturday.”

  London goes quiet as I’m cleaning my desk off and putting files away. When I look up, I notice her watching me while trying to keep from smiling.

  “What?”

  “You talked to Cillian last night? And he’s coming to the lake house?”

  I roll my eyes. “It’s not whatever you’re thinking.”

  “Okay.”

  I pin her with a look. “Don’t say okay like that.”

  “Like what?” she asks, feigning innocence.

  “The way I said it when you tried denying the fact that you liked Royce.”

  She cracks a smile. “You’ve already admitted that you think Cill is hot.”

  “All the Kingston brothers are hot.”

  “Yes, but now Cill is available.”

  “Newly available. Hooking up with him now would be a mistake.”

  “Now? But maybe later?”

  I avoid her smirking face and get up from the desk. “Lo.”

  “I see you trying to keep from smiling,” she says, getting up to follow me. “Just admit you wanna ride him into the sunset.”

  I bust out laughing. “Okay, fine. I’ve always been attracted to him. Who wouldn’t be, right? But we’re friends.”

  “So? That’s even better. You have a foundation. History.”