When the Lies Fell Apart

d myself by the edge of the pool, dangling my feet in the cool water. Most of the gu

to last,

out, M

of the pool beside me, close enoug

quiet," I said, n

or 'Alex' all day," he observed, his v

sed to yell across the park when we were kids. Hearing

aid, a little too sharply. "A

t for a mome

boomed, "Sarah, hon

glint in her eye that I knew all too well. It w

said, scrambl

e was already trying to steer me away. She glanced at Alex, her smile a little too bright. "Alex, dear, so good to see

start one of her matchmaking spiels

I grabbed Alex's arm. "Actually, Mom, Alex

ool che

n interest in pool maintenance, I yanked him towards the

ving a very surprised Alex into the dim shed and pulling the door

s my mom looked bewildered, then shrugged an

completely silent. I could

nts, I peeked out. Mom

ms crossed, one eyebrow raised. He was covered in a fin

he said, his voi

h David the accountant," I whis

ng unreadable crossed his face. Intrigue? Annoya

he time!" I defended, my cheeks hot.

hint of something I couldn'

rass me. Or you." I started to back

ose patio stone slick with condensation from the pool. Down I went, with a y

icking my eyes more from humi

oyance replaced with concern. "Are you okay? Clum

nd firm on my arm. "Let

sat me on a cushioned bench and rummaged in a first-aid kit. His touch was

isaster," he murmured, but

uely Alex. My breath hitched. He looked up, his eyes meeting mine. The air crackled wi

ng, shatteri

t, glanced at the screen. H

he said, hi

ld, familiar pang of jealousy and resignation.

away, the moment broken. "She probably needs

looking from t

g to sound indifferent.

m for a second, a dull ache in my chest, then I got up and limped out of the pool hou