Big Fat Liar 3 (Big Fat Liar #3) (4 page)

"You're pushing it, sister," Callie growled. She was so tempted to slap that condescending smug look on the other woman's face.

Brenda flipped her long, silky hair back. "What? You want to hit me? Go ahead, try it. Which side do you think Chris will take? Mine or yours? Do you really want to find out?"

Callie said nothing.

Brenda smirked. "I see you're losing weight. Nice try, but it doesn't matter how much you try to change yourself on the outside." She stepped closer to Callie until their faces were inches apart. " In the inside, you'll still be the same fat, clumsy guy who tags along with Chris, salivating like some dog in heat for something way out of his league. You're disgusting."

A loud crack seemed to echo down the hall as Callie's hand connected with Brenda's right cheek. Both woman blinked, completely surprised that Callie had actually slapped her. Callie stared at her hand, mouth hanging open.
Oh hell
...

"You bastard!" Brenda cried and raised her hand up to slap Callie back but Abel smoothly went behind her and caught her hand.

"Now, now, dear," Abel chuckled, "can't say you didn't deserve it."

"Let me go!" Brenda screamed, trying to fight Abel's hold when he wrapped an arm around her waist to restrain her. "Let go!" She glared at Callie. "You'll pay for this!"

"What the hell is going on!?" Chris stalked towards them. "I could hear you all the way down the other hall, Brenda!"

"Chris!" Brenda pointed an accusing finger at Callie. "Your
friend
, just slapped me. He slapped me! What kind of man hits a woman?"

"What?" Chris stopped short and looked at Callie. "What is she talking about?"

"He slapped me!" Brenda pointed to her red cheek. "Because he's jealous of me!"

"That's not true!" Callie cried. "Chris she-"

"Did you hit her?" Chris asked coolly.

Callie froze. "I...she...she said things that made me bad and..." her shoulders slumped helplessly. "I guess I snapped."

"Cal, it doesn't matter how mad she makes you! Hitting a woman?" He sounded so disappointed in her.

"Careful, Chris," Abel said, "don't make things worse when you don't even know what happened."

"It doesn't matter what happened," Chris snapped. "Our mother could possibly be dying and they're standing right outside her door fighting?" He shook his head. "I don't care who started it. Both of you, get out my sight."

"But Chris," Brenda started.

Chris held a hand up. "Shut up, Brenda. Just go."

"Chris." Callie took a step towards him but he backed away from her, shaking his head.

"You too Cal," he said. "Leave. Abel, drop him back off at the apartment." Without another word he opened the door and slipped inside his mother's private room.

Callie winched when she heard the soft definitive click of the door as it closed. Damn it! She hadn't meant to upset him!

Abel released Brenda and stepped beside Callie. "I'm sorry," he murmured. "I'll talk to him later. He's just...worried about mother."

"This isn't over," Brenda hissed at both of them and swirled around. She stormed down the hall towards the elevators without a backwards glance.

"Good riddance to her," Abel huffed, turning Callie the other direction. "If you hadn't slapped her, I certainly would have!"

"Chris hates me now," Callie wailed, covering her face with her hands. "He thinks I'm some kind of...of monster who hits women!"

"He thinks you're a guy remember?" Abel reminded her. "He doesn't believe in a man hitting a woman under any circumstance unless he was fighting for his life or the lives of those he love."

Callie sniffed. "She just made me so mad! The way she played your mother and Chris both like that!"

"Don't worry," Abel patted her shoulder. "I'll explain everything to him later. I'll take you home and you just wait patiently for him. He'll need your comfort later."

"I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't come home," Callie whispered as they walked down the hall. But in her heart she wished that he would.

And after hours of waiting in her apartment after Abel had dropped her off...Chris neither came back or called. Callie hardly slept that night.

Chapter Seventeen

Ah ha! There he is
. Abel walked into the smoky bar, ignoring the curious open stares sent his way. After all, what was an elegant man like him doing in a place filled with drunks and troublemakers?

Because of him
, Abel thought, sliding onto the vacant stool next to the hunched figure of his brother nursing a mug of beer in front of the island table of the bar. The bartender eyed them from behind the counter, noting the resemblance between the two men. Chris ignored them, drinking the mug of beer in his hand slowly. Abel crossed his legs, eyes probing, questioning.

“Go away,” Chris finally growled.

“Not on your life, baby brother. Now tell me, what’s got you so down?”

Chris shot him a sarcastic glare. “Other than the fact that our mother is dying as we speak?”

Abel waved an elegant hand. “Non-sense. Mother will be fine. If she can raise two rascals like ourselves, then she can do anything. She’ll live. She’s our mother.”

Like that’s enough to fight a cancerous tumor
, Chris thought bitterly. He took a sip of the strong brew in his mug, fighting back the image of his sickly mother. He just didn’t want to see her like that anymore. Not his mama.

“Admit it,” Abel pressed on while crossing his arms. “There’s something else that drove you to a place like this. Or should I say…someone.”

“Go away,” Chris snapped, “and leave me the hell alone.”

“No.” Abel snapped back. “I won’t leave you the hell alone and you know why?” He grabbed the mug clutched in Chris’s hand and slammed it on the table. Some of the liquid spilt onto his hand but he ignored it, fierce blue eyes on Chris. “Because,” he continued without missing a beat. “ We’re brothers and brothers look out for one another and baby brother, you need someone to look after you right now because you’re being a complete idiot”

Chris remained stubbornly silent.

“What are you going to do about Cal, Chris?”

“That’s none of your business, Abel.”

“It is my business.” Abel grabbed the napkin on the table and wiped his soiled hand. He wrinkled his nose, hating the smell of hard liquor. “Cal is my friend.”

“That doesn’t give you any rights.”

“Pfft,” Abel snorted. “Of course it does. I’m Abel.” He said this with confidence, as if being just himself made anything open to him.

Chris rolled his eyes.

Abel ignored it. “Chris, I repeat…what are you going to do about Cal?”

Without warning, Cal’s innocent chocolate brown eyes filled his head. Soft eyes hurt and accusing when he had driven him away. Chris flinched. “I don’t know.”

“I’m sorry,” Abel cocked his head slightly to the side. “What was that?”

Chris raised his voice louder. “I said I don’t know!”

“Well you better know fast before he slips away. Oh I know!” Abel snapped his fingers. “Why don’t you be a gentleman and apologize?”

Chris ignored the sarcastic note in his brother’s voice. “What do I have to apologize about? He and Brenda were fighting in front of our mother’s door. He hit Brenda!”

“Hah!” Abel snorted at that. “Like the little witch didn’t deserve it.”

Chris glared at him. “What are you talking about?”

“You should have talked to Cal before jumping into conclusions and driving him away. You’re not the only one hurting here, Chris.”

By the time Abel finished telling him what had driven Cal to hit Brenda, Chris felt a lot worse. He buried his face in his hands and took in a deep breath. “What a mess.”

“You’re telling me.” Abel patted his shoulder. “Chris, go to Cal and make up. Sh-he’s hurting. You know how much he loves you. Do you love him?”

“I don’t know.”

“Honey, don’t lie to yourself. You and I both know that you’re in deep. Your head over heels for Cal and just don’t want to admit it. Stop running, baby brother because sooner or later Cal will get fed up and stop chasing.”

Chris lowered his hands from his face and stared grimly at his palms. “But what about Mom?”

“What about her?”

“She’s always talking about wanting grandbabies-“

“Ah ha!” Abel smirked, “so this is why you’re here, drinking your troubles away. Let me tell you something, Chris. Mom wants grandbabies but she wants your happiness even more. Don’t let Brenda the Bitch trick you into marrying her.”

“If I go to Cal…Mom will never have grandchildren.”

“There’s something called adoption, Chris. Look it up.”

“That’s not the same and you know it.”

“It’ll have to do.” Abel looked at him sympathetically. “Do the right thing here, Chris. Don’t let Brenda manipulate you. Go to Cal…besides I have a feeling that there’s something that he wants to tell you.”

Chris’s head snapped up. He eyed Abel thoughtfully. “Actually, before you called he was about to tell me something.” He had nearly forgotten about that. “You saying you know what it is?”

Abel slid off the stool. “Go to Cal and find out for yourself.”

Chris grabbed Abel’s arm. “Abel, what is it? Is it something bad?” Now that he thought about it, Cal looked tortured when he was about to confess…confess what?

“Oh Chris,” Abel sighed. “That depends entirely on you.”

“What the hell does that mean?”

“Do you love Cal? If you do…well I hope you do because it’s going to take a lot of love to overcome both your issues. That’s all I’m saying.” Abel turned to leave and paused. “Oh and Chris?”

“What?”

“When Cal tells you his secret, just remember…it all started with you.”

Chris blinked. “Me?”

Abel patted Chris’s head. “Yes with you…because sometimes Chris, you’re so damn blind to the point of idiocy.”

Chris watched his brother leave. He was blind? Blind about what? And Cal…after tonight, after yelling at him, Chris wouldn’t blame him if he never wanted to talk to him anymore.

“Abel! Wait!” He followed Abel outside, the cold night wind hitting him as he rushed out the bar door. “Abel!”

Abel stopped and half turned. He’s never seen Chris like this. Cheeks flushed, hair in messy disarray. It was the confusion and hope in the eyes identical to his own that made Abel smile. “Yes darling brother?”

“What do I do?” Chris strode towards Abel and crabbed the other man’s shoulder. “What the hell do I do?”

“About Cal? I just told you-“

“No.” Chris shook his head. “About this. About the feelings I have for him. Shit I’m scared as hell but…when he’s not there I want to be close to him and when he
is
there I want to be closer. I’ve never been in this kind of situation. What do I do, Abel? What do I do?”

Abel smiled. “Oh Chris, don’t you see?” He patted Chris’s cheek. “Just go to him and say the words.”

“The words?”

“I love you.”

“Stop looking out the window, Callie,” Callie told herself for the hundredth time. “He’s not coming.” Callie backed away from the window with a sigh. All last night until this morning she’s been peeking out the door and the window just for the chance to see Chris and after all this time he was still a no show.

“He hates me,” she whispered, “he probably can’t stand the sight of me anymore.” He hadn’t even called her.

“It’s my fault,” Callie muttered, “I should have told him the truth a long time ago.” She had made a mess out of everything. So many misunderstandings…

Slumping on the couch, she buried her face in her hands
. Oh Chris…where are you? Are you with your mother…or in Brenda’s arms?

“Why does it matter?” Callie laughed bitterly. “If he is I drove him there.” It’s not like he ever told Callie that he loved her. But he had said that he felt something…something strong enough to pass the barrier of genders even though she was really a girl and he thought she was a man.

When the doorbell rang, Callie’s head up. Her eyes went wide, mouth forming a soft O. Who was it? Was it Chris? She shot up and took a step away from the couch. Had Chris finally come to talk to her? Callie’s steps hesitated. What if he came to break up with her for hitting Brenda?

“Don’t be silly,” Callie laughed at herself. It’s not like they’ve ever actually started going out. Walking towards the door, she started feeling dread. What if Brenda was with him? What if he was here to tell her that he’s getting married?

Callie paused in front of the door and stared at it
. I don’t want that
, she thought.
I don’t want him to marry her. Not anyone…but me.

Taking a deep breath, she unlocked the door and grabbed the knob. “If it’s Chris and he’s by himself I’ll tell him the truth.” She decided. “About everything.” She may end up losing him any but it doesn’t matter anymore. It was time for him to know the truth.

Callie turned the knob and pulled the door open, a dramatic speech that involved groveling on her knees ready to burst out her mouth when she realized just who stood in front of her. “Gregory?”

“Callie.” Gregory, wearing a fancy black business suit and shiny shoes glowered down at her. “We need to talk.”

Callie stared up at him, tension seeping out her rigid shoulder. Hah! It wasn’t Chris. She had been all riled up for nothing. But why was Gregory here?

“Gregory.” Callie flashed him a smile. “What a surprise! What are you doing here?”

“Do you mind?” Greg brushed passed her and entered the apartment. “I’d rather not talk to you about family business right in front of your door.”

“Of course not.” Pushing back the disappointment that it hadn’t been Chris that had been ringing the doorbell, she closed the door. “Family business?”

“Your hair is shorter,” Greg commented as he faced her. He eyed her hair disapprovingly. “Sarah was right. You look like a boy.”

Good
, Callie thought with relief
, he doesn’t recognize me from the Fireman’s Ball
.  “Greg, did you come here to harass me about my hair?”

“You’ve lost some weight,” he continued on as if he hadn’t heard her. “You look…softer. You look good.” That observation actually surprised them both. Callie hadn’t expected him to say it and neither had he because he cleared his throat, looking uncomfortable.

For some odd reason Callie found herself blushing. Greg was as handsome as ever, even if he was as cold as ice.
But he’s not Chris
, her mind whispered longingly. No…not Chris.

“Greg…what are you doing here?”

“Right.” Greg cleared his throat again. “Sarah and your mother are worried about you.”

“Uh huh.” She didn’t believe that for a second and her voice let him know it.

Greg stiffened. “It’s the truth. Why have you been ignoring their calls?”

Callie shrugged. “I’ve been busy.”

“Messing around, I hear.”

It was Callie’s turn to stiffen. She glared sharply at him. “What are you talking about?”

“Sarah told me about the man you had in this apartment. Who was he?”

“That’s none of your business.” How dare Sarah spread rumors about her. About Chris! Knowing Sarah, her older sister probably said some lies that never happened.

“A young girl like yourself shouldn’t have a man in her apartment, Callie.”

The disapproving note in his voice made her blush but she didn’t cower like she would have done before. Now that she had finally grown a backbone, she openly glared at her ex. “I’m not a girl, Greg. I’m a woman and if I want to entertain men in my apartment well…that’s my business, not yours.”

Greg studied the girl…no, the woman before him. Over the months Callie had certainly changed. Gone was the long blonde hair replaced with a short auburn one, giving her a pixie-like look. She had lost a lot a weight. The tasteless, baggy gray sweatshirt and pants she wore didn’t show a lot of improvements in her fashion sense but still…Callie was…different.

She’s grown some confidence
, Greg decided. And he hadn’t lied before. Though her haircut was boyish…she looked good. Soft. Womanly. Even in those baggy clothes.

“Now that you’re done questioning my virtue,” Callie opened the door. “I’d like for you to leave.”

Greg opened his mouth to say he wasn’t going anywhere but he paused, looking over her shoulder. He closed his mouth firmly and glared.

“What are you glaring at?” Callie frowned and looked back. She froze. “C-Chris!”

OH SHIT!

Callie groaned.  Great. Fantastic. She never wanted these two to meet but look what happens. Chris’s timing stunk. That or the fates were against her.

Chris stood behind her, still wearing the exact same suit he had worn last night. He looked downright exhausted, as if he’s been awake all night but he straightened at the sight of Gregory. “Am I interrupting something?”

“No!” Callie said quickly. “Um…Greg was about to leave. Right Greg?” She shot him a look, one that she hoped he’d listen to and leave but of course he didn’t.

“Who are you?” Greg asked without preamble. Callie moaned.