Deceitful Choices (2 page)

Chapter 2

That day turned out to be one of the best; I had never felt so alive. Zack spent hours wowing both Taylor and me with stories of his life as a SEAL, those many times of conquer and defeat he’d had over the last three years. He told us about BUD/S training and the many tasks he had to complete in order to be where he was now.

I knew messing with an older guy there would be expectations, but I didn’t let it stop me. I wanted everything he was willing to give, even if it was just for one night. I actually found myself hoping for it. I know, needy, right? But I didn’t care, not tonight anyway.

The lies on my part came easy. And with each one, I found myself regretting them the moment they spilled from my lips. But I craved his attention, and I knew without those lies, I may not get this time with him.

It was almost as if lying was an instinct of mine, like I was branded with that ability from birth. Lying was something that had always been a part of my life, a part that sometimes came so easily it was frightening.

“I had fun with you today,” Zack said as he walked by my side. We were just along the water’s edge as the waves washed over our feet. Taking my hand in his he pulled me closer, pinning mine behind my back, our bodies touching, skin to skin. “It’s too bad you have to go back to college in a few days. I’d love to spend more time with you.”

I looked up at him and smiled. “I’d love that too, but classes start bright and early Monday morning.” So it wasn’t a complete lie, but it was close enough. I’d led him to believe I was a twenty-year-old college student.

I knew if I’d said I was just shy of eighteen, this moment, the entire day with him, would come to an abrupt end.

“Who says this has to end here?” he asked. Panic set in for just a moment before he continued. “We can keep in touch right? Phone calls, letters, and see where it all leads.”

Maybe I should have told him right then that I was still in high school. But instead I nodded as he closed the distance between us.

The moment our lips touched, I melted against him. His other hand wrapped around the back of my neck, holding me in place. Zack’s tongue grazed my lips, asking for permission I instantly granted.

I was on the verge of mauling him, he felt so good.

A moan escaped me, which in turn caused him to groan. He bit gently on my lower lip as he tugged with his teeth.

“I think I better walk you home.” His voice had a husky rasp I hadn’t noticed before. The idea of having an effect on him excited me. I was not a virgin, but the ten minutes it took to lose that status was nothing compared to the excitement I felt now.

Zack was not a boy; he was a man.

“I don’t want to go back,” I whispered as I rose up and kissed him once again, taking control without hesitation. I should have felt embarrassed about the way I was rubbing up on him, but I didn’t. Instead I felt exhilarated and desirable.

“Are you sure about this?” he asked.

“Definitely sure,” I replied.

He stared at me for a moment as if giving me one last chance to change my mind, yet I refused to stop this. I wanted it.

He took my hand in his and led me to the house where he was staying. Not once did I feel nervous, only excited.

He was so gentle and attentive. It was almost magical. Being young and inexperienced, I knew I was playing out a fantasy in my head, but I didn’t care. I wanted this night to remember during all the times at home when I felt like I was nothing.

I looked up at him as he hovered above. The way he looked at me made me feel things I had never felt before. He wanted me; I could see it in his eyes.

Zack and I had spent hours together just talking and kissing, and I wanted more. I wanted it all. Our time together was something I knew I would never forget. He held me close afterward, and kissed me softly as I fell asleep with my head on his chest and a lump in my throat.

I didn’t want to leave him. I didn’t want to go back to the life I had in Illinois. I wanted to live in this little bubble we had created and never look back.

One lie led to another and before I knew it, I was in too deep. The way he looked at me, held me, and talked about staying in touch, I found myself trying to come up with a way to make all that happen.

I left his place with plans to figure out how to make this work. How I could keep this artificial life I had created for myself a reality.

The entire walk down the beach my heart ached and my stomach tensed. A few times I turned back with the intention of telling him I lied, but then I thought of never seeing him again and forced myself to keep moving.

***

“Taylor, what do I do? How do I fix this?” I was panicked. I had dug myself a hole and had no way out of it.

“Will you just breathe? Maybe you should just tell him.” My eyes widened at her response. “Okay, maybe not.”

“You’re the one who told me to play the game,” I shrieked.

“Yeah, well, I honestly didn’t think it would go any further than a little flirting, maybe a few kisses. I truly hadn’t expected it would turn into a wild night of maddening crazy monkey sex that he’d want to make into more.” She leaned back against the kitchen counter as I paced the floor before her.

“I just need to tell him,” I decided. I grabbed my water bottle from the table and began walking toward the door. I was determined to fess up and hope that somehow, some way, he could forgive me for my deceitful acts.

I knew the chances of that were slim to none, but I couldn’t help but hope.

“Wait,” Taylor yelled as she followed me out the door. “What are you going to say?”

I threw my hands in the air, because I hadn’t planned anything. “That I lied; what else is there to say?”

Lies, those little things that come back to haunt us.

“I’ll just tell him that I hoped age wouldn’t matter, and when I spent time with him he made me feel better than I had my whole life. Then I guess I’ll pray that he doesn’t run like hell and forget I exist.” My heart was racing as Taylor watched me close.

Chapter 3

Zack

“You move fast man,” Rigdon said as he flopped down on the couch beside me. I held a huge bowl filled with Cocoa Pebbles in front of me, the spoon only inches from my mouth.

“Wah,” I mumbled around the heaping spoonful as I filled my mouth.

“I saw the blonde leaving your room this morning.” He wagged his eyebrows suggestively. “Nice.”

I chose to ignore his prying. The guy was my best friend, but he was a fucking horny bastard. All he ever did was look for his next conquest. Last night he must have struck out so now he wanted details of my night with Lindsay.

“Haven was doing everything she could in an attempt to gain your attention. I let her use me, I didn’t mind.” He smirked as he sat back on the couch and grabbed for the controller. “But even when it came to the deed, she brushed me off. She wanted you. I bet you could hit that tonight if you wanted.”

“No thanks,” I said.

The guy was a fucking douche, but he kept it entertaining.

I was just about to tell him to take a hike when there was a soft knock on the door.

We exchanged a look of curiosity and before I could move, he leaped from the couch and practically sprinted for the door.

I was a little disappointed to find Haven, the girl who had attempted to gain my attention since the moment I walked down to the beach yesterday. I was secretly hoping it was Lindsay.

“Hey, gorgeous,” Rigdon cooed.

I turned my head to avoid his mac daddy moves. He was a fucking tool whenever women were present. Who was I kidding? He was a tool all the time.

“Hi,” she said in response.

“Come on in.” I looked up to see him eyeing her from head to toe as she entered.

Okay, so she was a knockout. Tall, long dark hair that fell to the center of her back, and legs that went on for miles. Any guy would fantasize about those wrapped around his waist. And if they didn’t, then they were obviously batting for the other team. But she was superficial; I picked up on that almost instantly. High maintenance girls were too much work, and I didn’t have time to put in the hours.

“I was actually hoping I could talk to Zack,” she said, which caused me to take my focus off her legs and meet her stare.

“Me?” I asked.

Again Rigdon gleamed at her side. His earlier comment about her and me hooking up made him smug.

“Yeah, I think there are some things you need to know. Things Lindsay lied to you about.” She took another step in my direction and suddenly the cereal I was holding turned my stomach.

I leaned forward and sat it on the table between us and waited for her to take a seat by my side. Her appearance was less put together today than it had been last night. She actually looked as if she just rolled out of bed and threw on a pair of shorts and t-shirt.

“What are you talking about?” I asked.

“She and I have a little bit of negative history,” she began. “First and foremost, I want you to see something.” She pulled something from her back pocket and held it out for me to take.

It was her license.

I looked up in confusion. “Why do I need to see this?”

“Look at the birthdate,” she insisted.

“So what?” I said as I gave it back to her.

“I wanted you to know that I turn twenty next month,” she replied.

I was real fucking confused as to where this conversation was going. What the hell did her age have to do with anything?

I was just about to ask her when she offered me another ID.

“What is all this about?” I asked.

“Just look, please.” She pushed the ID closer, and it was then I noticed the picture was of Lindsay.

I took the license from her and smiled when I got a better look. She looked younger in this photo, but those big green eyes of hers stared back at me.

“Look at the birthdate,” Haven whispered.

I looked up at her, expecting to see some smugness or catty bitchiness girls get when they are trying to outdo one another, but was surprised to find sympathetic eyes watching me.

“I’m sorry she lied to you, but I thought you should know the truth,” she whispered.

Without saying anything I looked at the license once again and my mouth grew dry. Lindsay was only seventeen years old. She’d lied to me.

“She did the same thing to Corbin, my ex,” Haven spoke at my side, yet I couldn’t take my eyes off the ID. “She pretended to be in college, and then after they hooked up the truth came out. It was a mess and I just thought you needed to know before things went that far.”

I nodded my head as the anger began to boil within me. Thoughts of getting in trouble for statutory rape made a sick feeling settle in my stomach.

I had worked hard to get where I was, and now it could all come to an end because of one girl.

“I appreciate you letting me know,” I said as I stood from the couch and handed her the license.

After she took it I walked away without saying another word. I ignored Rigdon’s concerned look as I pushed past him.

My fucking head was spinning as I paced my room. Part of me wanted to confront Lindsay and ask her what the hell kind of game she was playing, and the other part, the more sensible one, wanted to pack my shit and leave early.

And that was the part that won.

I began grabbing things from drawers and the closet and stuffing them into my duffle bag. Somewhere deep inside I knew it was wrong, but I couldn’t stay here, not now. I had to get the fuck out of here and hope that I hadn’t allowed my dick to get me in trouble.

***

I could feel her, before I even saw her.

My back was to the beach as I threw my bag in the trunk.

“You’re leaving?” I closed my eyes tightly as the sound of her sweet voice felt like a kick to the stomach.

I didn’t want to be angry. I didn’t want to cause a scene, but the idea that her lies and the games she played were enough to fuck my future. That alone infuriated me.

“Without saying goodbye?” The hurt in her voice was evident.

When I turned to face her and she flinched, I knew my anger was obvious.

“Yeah, without saying goodbye.” I reached out and slammed the trunk without taking my eyes off hers. “You fucking lied to me, Lindsay. Do you understand at all how much trouble I could get into? I could go to jail for having sex with a minor and the only thing you’re worried about is me saying goodbye.”

Her eyes widened in surprise.

“Yeah, that’s right, I know.” It was hard to remain calm. I had to remember that going off the deep end could only make things worse.

“I’m sorry I lied, but I like you, and…” I cut her off.

“I liked you too, but that’s not an excuse to lie.” I walked around the side of the car and opened the driver’s door.

“Zack.” Her sad whisper made me look up at her. “I’m really sorry. I just wanted to forget who I was for a little while. It was nice pretending I wasn’t Lindsay from Roanoke, and you made me feel good about myself for once.”

I could see she was fighting her emotions, and it did something to me. I never wanted to upset this girl. Even after the shit she pulled, knowing she was hurting made me feel like shit.

“I truly am sorry that I lied, and I won’t tell anyone about what happened between us, I promise.” She turned and rushed off toward the beach and I stood frozen, watching her leave.

Part of me wanted to rush after her and pull her in for a hug. She looked so fucking sad it broke something inside of me. But I knew her leaving the way she did was for the best. It was a clean break and for the first time in hours I felt like maybe my future in the Navy still had hope.