Secrets and Lies

By Indigo Wren

Mari and Alex had “something else” for years, until Mari casts Alex aside without warning and disappears to parts unknown. Broken-hearted and full of sorrow for herself, Alex finds herself in the company of Joey, a surprisingly charismatic nice guy who just happened to be in the right place at the right time. They strike up a fast friendship, and soon enough something more develops between them.
When Mari returns from her vanishing act nearly a year later, she spreads a web of lies, expecting her friends to accept her fiction as the gospel truth and permit her to reclaim her place in the group. Her stories quickly fall apart, however, when Andrea, Megan, Jordan, and Alex compare stories and realize they’ve been duped yet again.
When the truth finally does come out, it shocks them, and is nothing that any of them had seen coming. Is it too late for Alex to forgive and forget? What secret is so shameful that Mari would rather lie to her best friends about where she’d been than fess up to what had really been going on?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Indigo Wren
• Release date: Aug 14, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310595530

Indigo Wren

Indigo lives in Alberta, Canada with their two young adult children and their life partner. They have adopted and lost a variety of cats over the years, but usually have one hanging around. They enjoy teasing the cat, writing (of course), and hanging out with the kids. They began writing at a young age, starting with short stories, moving on to poetry, and eventually participating in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) and completing their first novel. Since then, they have produced several manuscripts of novel-length. When they grow up, Indigo hopes to be an expert in the field of faery security. Their advice for writers, young and old, is to be brave in their work and never give up.

Book preview

Part 1

1

Alex watched as Mari walked away, a tear welling in the corner of her eye and her heart cracking slowly but steadily.

I love you, she whispered, her words swept up into the thrum of the crowd around her as Mari slipped out of view.

Alex looked around at the throngs of people until she found an empty seat on a nearby bench. She sat and rested her elbows on her knees, her face in her hands, and let the tears flow freely.

Mari had made it abundantly clear that she no longer wanted to have anything to do with Alex, yet Alex had followed her to the train station in a last-ditch attempt to change her mind. All that Alex had seen in her eyes, however, had been pity. Mari pitied her.

Alex shook her head, still resting it in her hands. The tears were slowing now, and she wondered how long she had been sitting like that. She felt a light pressure on her shoulder, and she jumped a bit. She looked up, blinking at the lights, to find a man in worn jeans and a faded t-shirt resting his hand on her shoulder. Hey, are you okay?

Alex blinked at the man, watching him as he shoved a discarded newspaper to the side and sat next to her. I – ye – no– She sighed, shook her head. I don’t know.

A look of genuine concern passed over the stranger’s face. He reached out a hand and wiped a tear from Alex’s cheek with his thumb. Do you want to talk about it?

Alex nearly blinked. What was his motive? What could he possibly gain by talking to an overwrought strange woman who was falling apart on a very public train station bench? She gestured toward the train just pulling in. Don’t you have a train to catch? she muttered.

The stranger smiled warmly. No. I’m just wandering the city with no destination or agenda. You look like you could use a friend, and I just happen to be a fantastic one, given the chance.

The tears started flowing all over again, and all Alex could do was blink rapidly at the kind man.

He reached into his pocket and produced a tissue, blotting her tears. Hey now, don’t do that. He reached for her hand and gently pulled her to a stand. Come with me.

Alex followed miserably behind, unsure what was going on, but quickly becoming numb to any kind of caring. She stumbled a few times, and each time, the man was there to steady her and keep her upright.

He led her into a coffee shop and pulled her into the line that was six people deep. What would you like?

Alex felt her pockets, realizing she’d left her wallet at home in her haste to follow Mari. I haven’t–

My treat.

Oh. Alex was stunned into silence. She quickly scanned the menu board. Large coffee, two sugar, three cream, please, she mumbled.

The man grinned at her. That’s the spirit! The line moved quickly and it was soon their turn. The stranger rattled off Alex’s order and his own, and when their drinks were up, he led her to a table in the corner. He held out his hand to Alex and cocked his head to the side. Hi. I’m Joey.

Alex took his hand and shook it limply. Oh. I’m Alex.

Very pleased to meet you, Alex. I’m really sorry about spiriting you away like that, but you really looked like you needed to be somewhere a little quieter. Alex nodded numbly. I don’t normally do this kind of thing, but I’m trying something new.

Alex took a sip of her coffee, grimacing at the heat. What’s that? Picking up the saddest-looking woman in the train station?

Joey chuckled. No. I’m listening to my instincts. They told me that this woman on the bench needed a friend in the worst way, so here I am.

Alex nodded slowly. I see, she said carefully.

Forgive me if I’m being too forward, but what happened to get you so upset?

Alex felt the tears forming again and used a napkin to quickly dab them away. I lost someone very special to me today. Joey’s eyes widened and his mouth opened. Oh, no, she stammered. She didn’t die. She just decided she was done with me. The last bit held a hint of bitterness that she hadn’t intended, but felt fully.

Forgive me for asking, but was she a friend, a lover, or… something else?

Alex thought about Mari, about all the time they had spent together, both exploring each other’s bodies and exploring each other’s minds. She… was… something else altogether.

Joey nodded. I get ya. So did she say why she wanted to end your– He paused. Your whatever it was?

Alex shook her head. That’s the hardest part. I don’t know what happened or what I did to cause this. We were fine yesterday, and then today – boom, out of nowhere, she’s done.

Joey ran his fingers through his messy dark blond hair. That’s rough. Alex nodded her agreement. Hey, do you text?

Alex snorted. Who doesn’t?

You’d be surprised! Here, put my number in your phone. He rattled off a phone number as Alex punched it into her phone. Now text me so I have your number! Alex did as he asked and smiled in spite of herself when a popular eighties video game theme music jingled from Joey’s phone. Got ya!

Alex smiled at this man who was still mostly a stranger and sipped her slightly cooled coffee. How old are you?

Twenty-eight. You?

Alex feigned offense. Didn’t your mother teach you to never ask a lady her age?!

Joey looked mortified, and he stuttered, N-n-n-no, she didn’t, I-I-I’m so sorry!

Alex chuckled. I’m just teasing you. I’m twenty-six.

Joey breathed a sigh of relief. You had me scared for a minute there! Alex smiled warmly at him. So, uh, do you have a significant other?

Alex rolled the question over in her mind. Yesterday, she’d have said yes without hesitation, but that’s not what Mari was, was it? Today was a whole different ballgame, though, and there was no more Mari.

Joey snapped Alex out of her reverie by saying, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked that.

No, it’s okay, she reassured him. I was just thinking. No, I don’t have a significant other. Do you?

Nope, I’m a lone wolf. Awooo! he howled at the light above their table, then looked around at the people staring at him. Sorry folks, he said sheepishly. They turned back to their own affairs, and Joey turned back to Alex. Sorry about that. It’s part of the whole instincts thing.

Yeah, what’s that all about, anyway?

I just got tired of playing it safe all the time. I felt bland and boring, so when I woke up this morning, I said to myself, ‘Self, do what comes naturally today.’ And so, here I am at three o’clock on a work day, sitting in a coffee shop with a rather distraught woman whom I’ve just met, all because I did what felt natural. I did go to work this morning, by the way. I just left after three hours.

Alex listened intently to Joey as he rambled. When he called her ‘distraught’ she smiled. When he finished talking, she reached across the table and put her hands atop his. I’m not distraught anymore, by the way, she said quietly.

Oh. Oh! Good! He paused, studying Alex’s face. Do you… um…

What?

Do you want to tell me about her? The… something else that you lost today?

Alex carefully considered Joey’s question for a few minutes, mulling it over in her head, before shaking her head. Not right now.

Maybe later?

Yeah, maybe.

Okay, fair enough. Gotta respect a lady’s wishes.

Thank you.

Joey finished off the last of his coffee moments after Alex finished hers. He picked up both paper cups and deposited them into the trash can. Back at the table, he stood behind his chair, his hands grasping the top of it loosely. Well, Ms. Alex, I feel like there is somewhere I am needed, so I am going to take my leave. Will I hear from you?

Alex nodded carefully. I think so.

With a quick wave of his hand, Joey was gone. Alex sat back in her seat, completely bewildered by the events of the past hour. She was gathering her thoughts together when her phone chimed, alerting her to a text.

Smile. It suits you.

Alex furrowed her brow and looked around. Joey was peering into the coffee shop from the street waiting for her to see him. He grinned and waved, and then he was gone.

2

Alex moped around her apartment for a few hours, intermittently gathering up reminders of Mari and then replacing them to their original spots. She flopped on the couch, tears once again burning a path down her cheeks. Everywhere she looked, she was reminded of the past three years she’d spent with Mari.

Her gaze fell to the coffee table where her cell phone lay. She reached out impulsively and grabbed it, opening up Joey’s text to her without really thinking about it. She hesitated only long enough to formulate her question in her mind.

What to grab a drink? My treat.

She clutched the phone in her hand tightly, silently willing Joey to answer her quickly. Even so, it surprised her when the phone buzzed and Joey’s name lit up on the screen.

Sure. When and where?

Alex smiled to herself. Joey might turn out to be a very good friend, indeed.

ASAP at the pub on 7th.

It didn’t take long for Joey’s reply to come in. Meet you there in ten minutes.

Alex dropped the phone into the pocket of her jeans and walked to the bathroom to quickly assess herself. She wore a well-fitting light blue t-shirt that accentuated her steely blue eyes, and her strawberry brown hair was pulled back into a tidy ponytail. She quickly scrubbed her face to wash away the remnants of her tears for Mari and patted it dry. She grabbed her keys and her wallet and headed out the door.

The pub was on the ground floor of Alex’s apartment building, so even with dawdling in the bathroom, she still arrived a few minutes ahead of Joey. She grabbed a stool at the bar and watched the door.

Alex almost didn’t recognize Joey when he sauntered in. He had changed into a pair of crisp khakis and a nice maroon dress shirt. He sat on the stool next to her, chuckling at the bemused look on her face.

I clean up nice, don’t I? He grinned impishly at Alex.

You sure do. I wasn’t sure that was you ‘til you sat down.

It’s me, in the flesh.

The bartender appeared in front of the pair and offered to get them drinks.

I’ll have whatever’s on tap.

The bartender raised an eyebrow at Joey, then shrugged and turned to Alex. Jack and Coke on the rocks, please. He left to prepare the drinks and Alex turned to Joey. So, what did you do this afternoon?

Oh, a little of this, a little of that. Went home to feed my cat and realized I looked like a bum.

Alex nodded as he spoke, breaking her gaze from his face only long enough to accept her drink and take a grateful swig. A cat, hey? I’ve got a cat, too.

Oh yeah? Joey sipped his beer. What kind?

Orange tabby. His name is Booboo.

Sweet. My girl is a Siamese bitch named Annie.

A bitch, huh?

Oh yeah. She’s got the typical Siamese attitude. But I love her to death. I’ve had her since she was a kitten. She’s six now.

Ahh, I see. Booboo was a rescue kitty. He was three when I got him, and he’s seven now.

A lull fell between them. They drank their drinks in subdued silence, glancing around the near-empty pub. Alex broke the silence. Say, are you hungry? They make killer nachos here.

Oh, I know. I love their wings, too.

Alex gaped at Joey. You know this place?

Well, sure, I only live four blocks up the street.

You – oh – wow! Alex sputtered.

Joey watched Alex, amused by her reaction. Did you think I made it a habit to hang around in this neighborhood for no reason?

I guess I never thought of it. I’m just surprised is all. I didn’t realize you lived so close to… She let her words trail off, suddenly unsure if she wanted him to know where she lived.

To…? Joey teased.

Alex gulped. She’d said too much and had to follow through or risk looking like a complete fool. To me, she squeaked.

Joey’s eyes widened in artificial surprise. You don’t say, he said jokingly.

Alex pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes. Don’t tease me. I’ve had a long day.

Joey hung his head apologetically. I know. I’m sorry. That wasn’t fair of me. I just assumed you were from the neighborhood when you said you didn’t have your wallet. You can’t get very far without one.

Alex grinned and pulled her wallet out of her pocket. Nope, but I remembered it this time! I wasn’t in quite as big of a rush.

Joey nodded. What had you in such a rush this afternoon, anyway? Was it your something else?

It was Alex’s turn to nod. I was chasing after her, trying to get her to change her mind.

Didn’t work? Joey’s voice was kind and genuinely interested.

Alex sighed. No, I’m afraid Mari is gone for good.

Joey slid off his stool and put his arm around Alex’s shoulder. They say that when one door closes, another opens. Can I be your new something else?

Alex started laughing at the very idea of Joey filling the void Mari had left. There was too much history and mystery for that to ever work. How about we start as friends before moving on to something else?

Joey grinned. Sounds good. I’m glad to have made a new friend today! He sat back up on his stool and nursed his beer a little longer.

So, how ‘bout some nachos and wings?

Oh! Yes! I am absolutely famished.

A few drinks and some delicious pub food later, Alex invited Joey up to her apartment for a few more drinks. Joey followed her to the elevator and up to the sixteenth floor.

Alex invited Joey to make himself comfortable in the living room as she poured them each a drink in the kitchen at the counter overlooking the couch. Joey settled in on the couch quickly and looked around the room. The pictures on the shelving unit were in disarray from Alex’s frantic moving and re-moving earlier in the day. Joey stood and walked over to the shelves, picked up a picture and studied it.

Alex walked into the living room, drinks in hand. She set them on the coffee table and approached Joey, a slight twinge of pain in her heart. That’s her, she whispered. Mari looked her usual gorgeous self in the picture, all of her red curls bouncing and her dazzling smile brightening the room even from behind glass.

Joey set the picture carefully back on the shelf and turned to Alex. Do you want to talk about it now?

Alex slowly shook her head. No. I’m not ready. And I still barely know you.

Okay, well, my name is Joseph Richard Grant. I have two older sisters and a younger brother. My parents are still happily married after thirty-five years, and I have more cousins than I can count. You already know I have a cat. I live by myself in a consummate bachelor pad, but I’m not a slob. I clean up after myself, and even though I live alone, I put the seat down when I’m done.

Alex gawked at Joey, amused by his monologue. She laughed out loud when he mentioned putting the seat down. The real question, she said, is, do you put the lid down?

Joey screwed up his face and nodded. I’d rather not have those particulates on my toothbrush and towels, he said.

Alex nodded. And now the question is, are you interviewing for a dating site or trying to make friends?

Joey laughed. "I guess that did sound rather dating site-ish, didn’t it? Really and truly, I’m just trying to let you know who I am. I’m a nice guy – too nice sometimes. I