Love Behind Lies (12 page)

Chapter 24

The pizza was good that night, but there was too much on my mind to really enjoy it. I was worried about Wednesday. I didn’t want Sam to come on the trip to Italy, because I was scared that I was going to actually start to like him. I used to hate him, he kissed me, things changed. I really like Brent and I can’t find any reason to “break up” with him, not that I am planning on it anytime soon.
After dinner I cleaned up and put everything away. It was 8:00 P.M. when I sat back down on the couch in between Sam and Brent. Brent put his arm around me. Brent wanted to make sure that Sam wasn’t going to touch me. I smiled to myself and laughed in my head.
I think that Brent knew that there was something going on between me and Sam. It wasn’t that hard to figure out. I still didn’t trust him, but when Sam looks at me I can tell he never wants to stop. I guess that kind of bugs me because I already have a boyfriend. I don’t want to have to worry about cheating, even though Sam has forced me to already.
As I was thinking this through the boys were talking about the trip to Italy. I didn’t really feel like listening so I kept to myself. I stood up and they stopped talking. I walked up into my room and lay down on my bed. I was really tired and didn’t really want to be with either of them right now.
It didn’t take long for the boys to realize they missed me. I was only in my room for five minutes before I heard a knock on my door.
“Come in,” I said, expecting it to be Brent.
The door opened and Sam walked in.
“What do you want,” I asked him.
“Brent said that I could talk to you,” Sam said.
“He must really trust you, then.”
“I told him that if I mess up I won’t go with you guys to Italy.”
“Oh.”
“Can I sit next to you?” Sam walked closer to my bed.
“Sure.” I moved away from where he was about to sit.
“I just want to talk to you.”
“Obviously.”
Sam laughed and then began talking again. “I just want to clarify what is going on between us before we go to Italy. There won’t be a lot of time that the two of us will have together and I thought that this was the only good time.” Sam paused for a little bit. “I like you Catherine, a lot. I want you to know that. The only thing that I am not looking forward to during the trip is seeing Brent claim you. I hate it when his arm is around you or anything. I just want to punch him in the face. It makes me so jealous.” He paused and waited for me to look at him. When I did, he began to talk again.
“I haven’t had that much time to get to know you, but from when we walked through the forest, the last time we were in your room, and the incidents at school, I have grown to like you, a lot. I
think that you might have noticed that.” I nodded and Sam kept talking. “I guess I just have a question for you.” I looked up at him and he smiled at me. “Do you like me?”
I took a deep breath before I answered this question. I knew that Sam was going to ask me this question sooner or later. I had my answer too. I just didn’t want to mess up anything that I already had with Brent.
“This is a hard question to answer, Sam.”
“I know, but I have been thinking about it all afternoon.”
“Yes.” I looked down at the floor. Sam grabbed my chin gently and forced me to look at him.
“You know, I already knew that. I just wanted to hear you say it.” He smiled again and I pulled my face from his hands, looking back at the floor. “Tell me more,” Sam requested.
“Okay. I used to hate you. That was obvious. Sometimes I think that you are just so mean. I started thinking about you after you ran into me in the hallway, and when you stood up for me in front of your friends. Everything changed after you made me kiss you. I realized that I liked you. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. But, Brent has done more for me. Yes, I enjoyed your kiss, but I can’t base who I like by how they kiss. It’s unfair. Also, I sometimes get confused. The incidents at school and during our kiss, you seemed really sweet, and I felt like I was under a spell. But, when we were in the forest you were so mean to me and that’s when I hated you. I like you, Sam, but I like Brent more. I want to get to know you more, and I guess that is why I actually want you to come to Italy with us.”I took a deep breath and waited for Sam’s response. I had been rambling.
“Can you say that again, please?” Sam was smiling.
“Are you serious. I don’t remember all of that!” I said.
“Just the part about you liking me.” Sam’s eyes were shining.
“Sam, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you and that kiss.” I said, looking down at my hands.
“I know. I haven’t stopped thinking about you either.”
“But, I still love Brent.” I said.
“Yeah, that makes sense. The first time I talked to you I was sweet, like you said. The second time we talked to each other, I was kidnapping you in the forest. I can see why you would be confused.” We both laughed.
“Thank you for talking to me Kate.”
“You’re welcome, but just because I agree that I like you, doesn’t mean that you can do whatever you want to me. What you did at the restaurant was not fun. Please do not do that.”
“I’ll try.” He smiled and I just shook my head. Maybe I liked that too; when he teased me.
We walked down the stairs and I sat next to Brent on the couch. He put his arm around me and I instantly thought of how much that made Sam jealous.
There was nothing that I could do about that though. If I moved away, Brent would think that I was mad at him or something weird like that.
I just sat there and thought. Everyone would be home soon and the boys would have to go anyways.
There was a knock at the door. I looked at Brent and he immediately got up to get the door.
I moved towards Sam who put his hand in my hand. As soon as he touched me, I forgot everything. I literally had to shake myself to focus on who was at the door. I recognized the voice. It was Loren.
“What is he doing here,” I whispered to Sam.
“I have no idea,” Sam replied. He ducked down so it looked like he wasn’t there.
“What are you doing here,” Brent asked Loren, who was waiting outside.
“What are you doing here,” Loren asked Brent.
“Catherine and I are hanging out.”
“Oh.”
“So, answer my question.”
“Oh, yeah. I just wanted to talk to Catherine, that’s all.”
“Why do you need to talk to her,” Brent asked.
“I wanted to talk to her about the Italy trip.”
“What about it,” Brent was getting very mad.
“Just please let me talk to her.” Loren was fed up too.
“Cat, Loren wants to talk to you.” Brent yelled at me. I got up, leaving Sam on the couch and walked over to the front door, where Brent and Loren were.
“Hi, Catherine,” Loren changed his tone of voice.
“Hi,” I mumbled.
“Can I talk to you out here for a moment,” Loren asked me.
“No! You can both come in here,” Brent snapped. “I will leave the room.” Brent shut the door, sat us down at the table and winked at me. I knew that he remembered that Sam was on the couch, and would listen in, or help me if I needed it.
“So, what’s new,” Loren asked me.
“I thought we were talking about Italy,” I said.
“Why are you so stubborn?”
“I don’t want to talk to you, so let’s get this over with.”
“Fine. Do you have any questions?”
“Yes, but I don’t want to ask you anymore.”
“Oh, did he tell you everything?” I knew that Loren was talking about Brent.
“I don’t know.”
“Okay, can I tell you some things? There are some important details and I don’t think that anyone has told you them.”
“What do you mean?”
“What do you know about your dad?”
“That he was kidnapped.”
“Do you know why?”
“I think so,” I said hesitantly.
“So you don’t know for sure?”
“No, I don’t know, why?” I just wanted Loren to leave.
“I think that they left out something very important.”
“What do you mean?” I was very confused.
“Why do you think that you are going with?” He kept asking me questions.
“I don’t know I guess.” I was starting to get mad.
“They haven’t told you why you are going?”
“I don’t think so. I thought I was just going to help out.” My voice was shaky and anyone could tell that I was scared to death.
“Would you like me to tell you why you are going?”
“Sure,” I wasn’t sure what to say. I was shaking.
“Stop talking Loren! You are scaring her.”
Loren’s head snapped up in surprise. Sam sat up and walked over towards where we were sitting in the kitchen.
Loren was speechless. He had no idea Sam was in the other room. Brent came into the room as well. I think Brent heard Sam snap at Loren.
“What?” Loren was so confused.
“Sam said you were scaring her. And I don’t think that you need to be telling her that information,” Brent said. His face was serious. I wasn’t going to ask any questions. I was going to make Brent and Sam tell me later. I had to get Loren out of my house first.
“I know what Sam said. What is Sam doing here?” Loren snapped.
“I am hanging out with Brent and Catherine.”
“Right.” Loren seemed very angry. “You’re switching sides.
“I think you should leave now,” Sam said, ignoring Loren.
“We will tell her. She is going to want to know, now that you brought it up.” Brent was mad.
“Fine, I will leave then, but don’t be surprised if I check back in. She deserves to know.” Loren smiled and walked to the door. He let himself out without another word.
Once the door was shut and I was sure that Loren was gone, I stood up and went to the couch.
“What was Loren talking about?” Sam asked, Brent as I walked over to the couch.
“Nothing, you need to worry about, Sam.” Brent said, with no expression.
I wasn’t sure if I still wanted to know. This could be something bad, something I didn’t want to know. What I wanted to know was why I wasn’t told earlier and why Loren thought he could come over to my house and tell me about it.
Now I was 100% sure that Brent was keeping something from me. And I don’t think that Sam knew either, but for some reason I don’t think he knows what he is getting into either.

Chapter 25

I sat on the couch for about five minutes. The boys were in the kitchen talking, but I wasn’t paying attention to what they were saying. They had to shake me to focus, after they had been standing right in front of me. I couldn’t focus on anything right now.
“You okay, Cat?” Brent asked. He took my chin in his hand and forced me to look at him. I nodded my head and then laid down. I was suddenly tired. The rest of my family would be home at any time.
Brent didn’t try to keep me awake after I laid down. He seemed content to let me sleep.
I slept hard this time. When I woke up, someone was tapping me. I jerked awake and Thomas jumped.
“What are you doing,” I asked.
“I don’t know. I was seeing if you were awake.”
“Obviously I wasn’t. What time is it?”
“Around 10:00 P.M.”
“Where is everyone?”
“Brent and Sam are trying to distract mom from the kitchen. I think that they want to get her out of the house, maybe grocery shopping or something. William, Margaret, and Oscar are working on homework. And I am here, with you.”
“Oh.” Thomas had always been there for me. He was much nicer that Oscar and wasn’t always asking me questions about my personal life. He would occasionally, but not as much as Oscar did. Thomas was my favorite brother. He was my age, had the same interests, and actually cared about me.
I started to get up off the couch, but suddenly Brent was next to Thomas. He wanted me to stay sleeping.
“Let me get up.” I told Brent.
“No, you need your rest,” Brent replied.
“I just slept and I am hungry, let me get up!” I began sitting up, but another hand had rested on my shoulder.
“Lay down.” Sam’s voice was strong and convincing.
“Fine, but why?” I asked, giving in.
“You really need sleep, and the time difference is big between here and Italy.” Brent explained, but I didn’t buy it.
“Seriously.”
“Okay, seriously, he should be telling us something, but he won’t tell us until we are in Italy.” Sam said, looking at Brent, who didn’t make eye contact. Now, I was convinced that Brent was keeping something from all of us; not just me. Sam seemed oblivious to what Brent was keeping to himself.
“What does that have to do with me getting up,” I asked.
“It doesn’t. We just want you to stay sleeping. We are trying to figure out where your dad would be, compared to where we are staying. It’s just a bunch of maps. You don’t need to be worrying about stuff like that.” Sam told me and went over to Brent. “Stay with her until she falls asleep. Thomas, you stay and make sure she stays safe. We can’t let her leave our sight.”
“What is going on? I asked.
“Nothing, just go to sleep,” Sam said and then walked away.
“I can’t tell you, Cat,” Brent said. He wasn’t smiling.
I looked at Brent and then Thomas. “Do you know what is going on,” I asked Thomas.
“Yes, Catherine, I know everything, except for what Sam just said. I know more than William, and I am the only one in the family who knows everything. Mom doesn’t know anything either. I know more than you. The only thing I don’t know is what Brent is going to tell you.” Thomas replied.
“Oh.” I relaxed. Brent told Thomas to go sit somewhere else and Brent laid down on the couch next to me.
“I’m sorry Cat. I don’t know what to do. I want to tell you so bad, but Evan is making me wait until we are in Italy,” Brent said.
“It’s okay Brent. I understand, it’s okay don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.” I knew that Brent was lying to me, but I wasn’t going to let him know that.
“I can’t help but worry about you. I worry about your family too, but not as much as I worry about you.”
“What was Loren talking about earlier?”
“Loren was going to tell you what I am going to tell you, and I couldn’t let that happen.”
“Brent! I need you here now!” Sam sounded mad.
“I’m coming,” Brent yelled to Sam. “Sorry Cat.” Brent got up and left.
I closed my eyes and tried to fall asleep.
When I woke up again, it was even darker than before and even Thomas was sleeping in the chair next to me. I felt like such a slug. I had taken multiple naps this afternoon. As soon as I moved, Thomas jerked awake.
“Katie, you okay,” Thomas asked.
“Yeah, Thomas, thanks,” I replied.
“No problem.”
Brent walked over to the couch with Sam close behind.
“How you doing Cat,” Brent asked.
“Good,” I smiled at Brent and he sat down next to me. Brent put his arm around me and pulled me towards him.
“Any new information,” Thomas asked.
“Yeah, actually. We learned a ton. I think we have enough information to make sure everyone stays safe on the trip,” Sam said.
“Okay,” I said a little confused.
“Look Cat, you don’t need to worry. We have everything under control. The only think you have to do, is listen to us and be smart,” Brent said.
“We might actually bring someone else with us,” Sam said.
“Who,” I asked.
“Thomas, if that’s okay with you,” Sam said, smiling.
“Really,” I asked excitedly.
“Yeah,” Brent said.
“Sweet!” I jumped off the couch and gave my brother a hug.
“So I can come,” Thomas asked.
“Of course,” I replied.
“Cool! Thanks Katie!”
“Let’s get back to business though,” Brent told us.
“Okay,” Sam said. He sat on the couch leaving space for me and Thomas. Brent was going to stand. I sat between Sam and Thomas as Brent explained, to us, what the plan was.
“We are leaving tomorrow morning. Sam and I will pick the two of you up at 9:30A.M. Our flight is around 10:15 A.M. We are hoping to get to Rome, Italy around 7:45 P.M our time which is around 1:45 A.M in Italy, which is also the next day. When we get there we can talk more. We can also talk on the flight there. There isn’t really that much going on.. You guys don’t need to worry, we have it under control.”
I smiled at Brent and he smiled back.
“So, Cat, we have some info that we can tell you. Do you wanna know?” Brent asked me.
“Yes!” I replied.
“Okay, so you need to stay safe, very safe, because we are playing into the hands of the kidnapper. He captured your dad so that he could get to you. That is why Evan wants me to keep you safe. Loren wants to keep you safe, because he made a deal with your dad. They know each other because of Nick and his dad. You’re dad knows that you are on your way now, but earlier this week his kidnapper told your dad he was going to come for you. That’s the main reason Loren wants you safe.” Brent paused. “My job is to keep the kidnapper from you.”
“Okay,” I was trying to wrap my head around this new information. “So my dad’s kidnapper wants me, and he is going to come and find me. That is why I have to stay safe?” I clarified. So this was new, but I still felt like there was something Brent was keeping from me.
“Yes,” Brent paused. “Loren is sort of mad at your dad for bringing him into this situation, but that doesn’t really matter anymore.”
“Thank you Brent,” I understood now, and I had no more questions. But Brent was still keeping something from me.
“Okay then. I think that is it for right now, Thomas you can leave. Sam, I don’t care what you do, but I’m going to leave. I have to get ready for tomorrow. Goodnight Cat.” Brent bent down and kissed my lips gently. He left without saying another word. Thomas left the room too.
“You okay, Catherine,” Sam asked.
“Yeah, I think so,” I replied. I leaned towards him and put my head on his shoulder. He put his
arm around me and pulled me closer.
“I’m sorry about everything, mostly about your dad, and getting you into this. I know I didn’t really have a lot to do with it, but I still feel bad for you.”
“Its okay, Sam. Please, don’t worry about it.”
“Okay, I won’t. I promise.” Sam’s arm around me tightened and I never felt safer. I liked this Sam, the sweet side.
“Can we go up to you room and talk please,” Sam asked.
“Yeah, sure.” I replied.
We both stood up and walked up the stairs. When we got to my room I sat on my desk chair and Sam stood by my window.
“Are you nervous for tomorrow,” Sam asked me.
“No, I don’t think so,” I said.
“You shouldn’t be. There is nothing for you to worry about.”
“Are you nervous?”
“No, not really. I think that Brent has is under control. “
It was silent for awhile and Sam walked over to me and pulled me towards him. He hugged me and then pulled me with him towards my window.
“Do you know what I would like before we go to Italy,” Sam asked. I barely had to think.
“Yes,” I mumbled. He wanted a kiss, but I wasn’t going to give him one. I felt bad already for kissing him while going out with Brent. I don’t think that I would be able to tell Brent again. Brent trusted Sam. If Brent didn’t trust Sam, he wouldn’t have left Sam at my house alone.
“What’s wrong,” Sam asked.
“I can’t do that to Brent,” I said.
“Brent doesn’t have to know.”
“It doesn’t matter, Sam. I don’t want to kiss you.”
“Katie, I know how much you liked it the first time, stop lying to me.”
“I can’t do it, Sam.” I tried to step away, but Sam pulled me closer to him.
“Katie, tell me the truth. Who do you like kissing more?” Sam had his hands on either side of my face. He was looking deep into my eyes.
“You.” I paused. “But that doesn’t matter.”
“Why not?” Sam asked, throwing his arms in the air.
“It just doesn’t.”
“Katie, you’re lying to yourself again.”
“No, I am not!” Sam gave me a questioning look. “Okay, fine, maybe a little.” I gave Sam a small smile.
“I’ll take that. Now, will you please kiss me?”
“No!”
“Why not? You know how much you like it.”
“That does not matter! My boyfriend is Brent, not you.” Our conversation was going in circles.
“Brent doesn’t have to know, Katie.” Sam ensured me. I gave up. I pulled myself away from
Sam and walk towards my desk.
Sam grabbed my arm, and put it around his neck. Then, he pulled me close to him. His arms tightened around me, and I could barely move. I tried to get away.
“Struggling is going to get you nowhere. I would’ve thought that you’d learned by now. If you kiss me, I will let you go.”
“I don’t want to kiss you.”
“You’re lying to yourself again.” Sam tightened his arms again, and closed his eyes. I could barely breath.
I had no choice but to kiss him. He was right; I did want to kiss him, very badly. That’s why I was worried.
I stopped struggling, and he opened his eyes.
“Ready?” He asked, smiling.
“No,” I replied.
Sam’s arms around me loosened enough for me to reach on my toes to get to his mouth.
I kissed Sam barely on the lips, but his hand moved up my back and to my neck. His hands forced me closer to him. There was no going back now. I put my other arm around his neck. My stomach was in butterflies, and I didn’t want to stop, but I had to.
I started to back away, but he followed me. I tried to push Sam away with my hands, but he was too strong. I tried to move away from him again, but he wasn’t buying it.
One of my hands left his neck and rested at my side. I kept the other hand at his neck and waited for him to stop. One of his hands left my neck and grabbed the hand at my side. He obviously didn’t like it there. He raised his arm so that my hand was on his shoulder, and then his hand rested on my back, pushing us closer again. His touch was soft. I could barely feel him touching me. His movements were subtle, but rough enough for me to listen.
I was done kissing him, now. I took the hand, that was at his neck the whole time and punched him in the stomach, like I did the other time. He stopped kissing me, finally.
I was mad. I was not counting on that. Yeah, it was nice, but it was bad. I just made out with someone who isn’t my boyfriend.
“What’s wrong,” Sam asked, out of breath.
“I was trying to stop and you wouldn’t let me,” I replied.
“I wasn’t done.”
“Were you ever?” I asked throwing my hands in the air.
“Yes I was going to be done. Now, come back here,” Sam said. I was on the other side of my bedroom and his bad side was coming out.
“No,” I replied.
“Katie get back here, or else I won’t let your brother come with us to Italy.”
I slowly walked over to Sam. I was scared he was going to grab me and start kissing me again.
“I’m not going to do anything.” Sam sounded too innocent.
I kept walking and when I got to him he put his arms out.
“All I want is a hug Kate.”I gave him a quick hug and he kissed me on my forehead. “Was it
really that bad,” Sam asked me.
“No, but I’m still mad,” I replied.
“I’m sorry Katie, you’re right. I shouldn’t have made you kiss me when you have a boyfriend. You are just so hard not to like. I want to kiss you whenever I see you.”
“Yeah, you should be sorry.”
“Can I at least kiss you on the cheek?”
“No! I don’t want you to touch me,” I snapped.
“Katie, you can’t do that to me!”
“I just did.”I turned around and reached for the door.
Sam’s hand grabbed my shoulder and spun me around. His hand was still resting on my shoulder.
“I told you not to-” Sam interrupted me. He pushed me up against my door and began kissing me again. I kissed him back for a short time before I realized what I was doing. I pushed as hard as I could on Sam’s chest. I tried moving my head, but Sam kept it still with both of his hands.