Free Beautiful Liar by Tara Bond

only there tonight because I’d met someone who interested me.”
    I felt a shiver run through my body. I was beginning to feel out of my depth. I didn’t have much experience with the opposite sex—I’d never had the time or the inclination for a boyfriend—and someone like Alexander Noble didn’t feel like a good place to start. My life was all about responsibility and staying in control. I didn’t want to be with someone who spent their time drinking, taking drugs and sleeping around.
    â€œLook.” I gave a deliberately world-weary sigh. “I don’t know what your game is, but let me set you straight right now: I have no interest in being another notch on youralready well-scored bedpost. So whatever you think you’re doing here, there’s no point. I’m not interested.” Before he could say anything, I swigged down the last of my beer, and stood up. “Anyway, I should see where Jas has got to.”
    I’d worried that he might try to stop me, but instead he gave a brief nod.
    â€œOf course.” He grinned. “Although I’m not sure she’ll appreciate you interrupting her and Hugh.”
    I tried not to show my surprise that he’d noticed them together. Was there nothing he missed?
    I jammed my hands into my jeans pockets and headed back inside. It took all my effort not to look round and see if Alex was watching me.
    I found Jas on one of the sofas, straddling Hugh. His hands had pushed up her dress and were splayed across her exposed thighs. A group of guys were standing in the corner, watching them and laughing, while a separate group of girls were looking down their noses at Jas. I felt bad for my new friend, being made a spectacle like that.
    â€œJas!” I called out loudly as I walked over. “Have you got a second?”
    Luckily my voice broke her out of what she was doing. She pulled away from a protesting Hugh, her cheeks flushed. I took the opportunity to grab her by the arm and drag her out into the hallway.
    â€œWhat were you and Alex doing out there?” she giggledbefore I could speak. Her eyes looked glassy, and I could tell she was already tipsy.
    â€œJust talking.”
    â€œYeah, right.” I could see the scepticism on her face. “A likely story.”
    Tori was standing just inside the doorway, eavesdropping, a frown on her pretty face. I felt bad then. I might not have liked the girl, but I had no desire to hurt her, either.
    â€œHonestly, it was nothing. He was just being polite.” I hoped that was enough to reassure Tori that I was no threat to her. “Anyway,” I said quickly, changing the subject, “I’m going now. Are you coming with me? I can make up a bed for you in my room.”
    We’d talked about her staying the night with me on the way over, because it was such a long journey home for her. I hadn’t particularly liked the idea of inviting her into my personal space, with all the questions that would open up, but I’d rather that than leave her alone here. Unfortunately now she giggled again, and shook her head. When she spoke, it was in a stage whisper. “Thanks, but Hugh’s asked me over to his flat. I think he might have a bed for me there.”
    She laughed at her own joke, but I couldn’t see the funny side.
    â€œOh, Jas.” I pulled a face, like the one she’d pulled at my outfit. “Do you really think you should? This is the first time you’ve even talked to him!”
    She gave me a playful slap. “Don’t be so judgemental.” Her eyes flicked to the open doorway. “He’s gorgeous and he likes me. It’s just a bit of fun.”
    I regarded her for a moment. She was old enough to do whatever she liked. I had no reason to lecture her, and I wasn’t sure why I felt so protective when I’d only just met her. Maybe I was too used to looking after my mother and sister, but I couldn’t stop