Free Knot a Liar (Knotted Up Book 1) by Rose Ann Bridges Page A

coffin.
    “I said: My parents know and believe we are married. Mom thinks that’s why I took you to the play the other day, to introduce you to the family. Mom’s disappointed that I didn’t tell her anything, but she’s happy for us. Dad said he’s proud. He really likes you. With all my achievements, I finally get an ‘I’m proud of you, son’ and it’s because I lied.” Sam’s laugh is devoid of all humour and playfulness as his face drops into his hands, burying all signs of hope.
    Alright, I’m officially declaring it. The worst day of my life has arrived and settled itself comfortably, mocking my inability to make it better. There can be nothing in the future that can top this day.
    “Why would your mother believe me attending the play was an introduction to your family?”
    “I haven’t brought home a girl in years,” His hands drag down the sides of his face, stretching the beautiful skin, while continuing to slide down. “The last one I brought home, I wanted to marry. She was also the first one I brought home. It didn’t work out. I haven’t found anyone suitable enough… until now.”
    I ignore the puzzling last statement Sam made. I’m taking it one problem at a time.
    “How did they find out by the way? That was between the four of us. Did your brother call them; Max wouldn’t do that would he?” I begin to get agitated thinking of why Max would do that when he knew we were lying.
    “No.” Sam throws his head back, releases a deep gust of air and stares up in the ceiling, searching for an escape.
    “Apparently, someone was passing by and heard us. They called to say congratulations. They didn’t want to interrupt our conversation, so they called Mom instead. I’m in deep shit if they really believe that.”
    “When are you going to tell them, Sam?”
    “Tell who, what now?” His face scrunches with a furrowed brow. “About me and you not being married?”
    “No. Your family, that you’re gay? They deserve to know. Maybe then, your mother will stop nettling you for getting married and having children.”
    Sam drops his head, shaking it slowly. Sam stops to look at me and starts laughing. He laughs, hard, before I join him.
    We sit there joking and laughing at how ridiculous the situation is: a single, straight female and a single, gay male pretending to be married for the sole reason of impressing the female’s high school nemesis. The only part he’s unaware of is that all the while the straight female yearns for the gay male.
    This couldn’t be more irresponsible, outrageous and nonsensical than if Hollywood wrote this part of my life. You just can’t make this stuff up.
    Life is really stranger than fiction.
    Unfortunately I’m the recipient of such a life. Or did I receive a perfect life and because of my nuances and apprehensions and proclivities, mess it up? Surely the heavens didn’t plan each lie we told tonight. Right?
    After laughing for what seems like an hour, we gather our wits and decide to head home, with Sam joining me.
    As soon as the door closes, I turn to Sam who is already heading to the kitchen. I set the coffee pot to brew knowing it’s going to be a long night.
    “So, what’s the plan?”
     

[ 7 ]
    Season Seven of Deceit
    “Are you sure?” Sam asks with a right tilt of the head.
    Sighing I say, “Yes, Sam, we’ll tell everyone tomorrow. I would do it tonight, but I want to go through this dinner in one piece. I just don’t want to be seeing Patricia’s face when I sit in my crap. You know, postpone humiliation for a day. I’m a big believer in procrastination after all.”
    “Alright, then. Since you’re sure.” Sam stretches over my shoulder to ring the doorbell. The heat from his body warming me on this already warm summer evening.
    “Yeah. Telling your parents in front of Patricia is like giving her an unscratched winning lottery ticket. There’s no way–”
    The door flies open even before the doorbell stops ringing after the