Free Tell Me No Lies by Rachel Branton Page B

Styrofoam take-out containers in a paper bag. “How do you feel about pancakes with strawberries and whipped cream?” He smiled as he hefted a drink container. “And hot chocolate.”
    “My favorite!” I grabbed the containers, feeling ravenous. Truth was, I didn’t often get up in time to eat breakfast, but pancakes were always at the top of my list when I did.
    He watched me dig into the food.
    “Aren’t you having any?” I asked, my mouth full.
    “I ate earlier.”
    “Pancakes?”
    He grimaced. “Donuts, actually. But I remembered you saying you liked—” He broke off in mid sentence. “Calvin says to leave the borrowed dresses in the closet, and they’ll take care of them. Is there anything I can help you with?”
    “I didn’t bring much, I’m afraid. I’d better get my funds soon or I might get awfully sick of these clothes.”
    “Won’t your mother send your things?”
    “I don’t know. I might have to appear on her doorstep during one of her parties so she’ll have to let me in for the sake of saving face. Though with the embarrassment I’ve caused her this weekend, even that might not work. I should have planned better.”
    “You might be right about that.” His eyes lowered to my blouse, and I followed his gaze to see a large splotch of strawberries. I sighed and began to clean it up with the napkin, which promptly fell to pieces, leaving bits of paper on my blouse.
    Why me?
    Gage busied himself grabbing my backpack and didn’t meet my gaze, but I could tell inside he was laughing. I peeked in the bathroom to make sure I hadn’t left anything. The cheap band glinted on the sink counter, and after hesitating a few seconds, I slipped it on.
    My phone rang as I rejoined Gage, and I reached for it, instinctively checking the caller ID. Lily again. “I’ll meet you downstairs,” I told Gage, clicking the answer button. He nodded and left the room, not closing the door after him.
    “Tessa!” Lily screamed in my ear. “What are you doing? Mom e-mailed me some pictures—which goes to show how crazy she is right now. She has never returned any of my e-mails since I left home. Did you really elope? I can’t believe it! I mean, you said you were having doubts about Julian, but who is this guy? Mom thinks he’s some stranger you picked up to get at your trust fund, which she’s blaming on me, by the way. If you can believe that. I—”
    She rambled on, and I held the phone away from my ringing ear until the torrent of words ceased. “Yes, Lily, to all your questions, except Gage isn’t a stranger. I met him months and months ago while riding Serenity.”
    “Oh, thank heaven! I couldn’t live with myself if you married someone just for me. That would be worse than marrying Julian. You look so happy in that picture where he’s kissing you. What a kiss! You can tell he’s totally gone on you. He’s got that dazed look. And he’s so hot. Makes Julian look like a prissy little school boy. I bet he loves the outdoors like you do. So where are you two going now?” She gasped. “Oh, you’re on your honeymoon. I’m so sorry! Are you in some fabulous place?”
    I was holding the phone away from my ear again, but not so far that I couldn’t hear every word. Now what? Did I tell her the truth? An ache pulsed in my temples, and I rubbed the left one in an effort to alleviate the pain.
    “Look, Lily. I’ll have to call you back later. We’re on our way somewhere right now. But I’ll come see you soon, okay? I’ll tell you everything.”
    “You’d better. I’m bored to death sitting here, but that’s the only way I keep anything down. This baby had better appreciate all this sacrifice.”
    When she talked like that, it made me wonder how our mother had made it through two entire pregnancies. I remembered her being in bed while expecting Lily, so maybe I’d been adopted.
    “I really have to go, Lily.”
    “Okay, okay, but I’m so happy for you! This guy looks like a keeper. And