The Lies We Tell: An Enemy to Lovers Young Adult Romance (Pushed Aside Book 3) Read online

  Contents

  1. Josephine

  2. Colt

  3. Josephine

  4. Colt

  5. Josephine

  6. Colt

  7. Josephine

  8. Colt

  9. Josephine

  10. Colt

  11. Josephine

  12. Colt

  13. Josephine

  14. Colt

  15. Josephine

  16. Colt

  17. Josephine

  18. Colt

  19. Josephine

  20. Colt

  Epilogue

  Also by Cassandra Hallman

  About the Authors

  Jenna Reed

  Sinful Secrets

  The Lies We Tell Copyright © 2019

  by Cassandra Hallman. All Rights Reserved.

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.

  Cover designed by T.E. Black Designs

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  1

  Josephine

  I normally don't answer calls from unknown numbers. Since I haven't heard from Jenna in a few days though, I make an exception. “Hello?”

  “Josie!”

  “Oh my god, Jen, where have you been? I’ve been worried sick! You’re not answering your phone and you didn’t go back to the group home. What the hell is going on?” I don’t want to yell at her, but she seriously had me freaking out.

  “I’m sorry Josie, my phone was stolen and some crazy stuff happened. Apparently, Colt was released from jail a few weeks ago.”

  “What? How?”

  “It’s a long story. Please don’t worry about me. I promise, I am fine and I’m with Hunter. I’m really sorry that I made you worry.”

  “It’s okay,” I sigh, just glad that she is okay.

  “So, when I just said that I’m with Hunter, I didn’t just mean right now. I also meant I’m with Hunter.” I can practically hear her grin into the phone.

  “Well, it’s about time!” Of course, I knew my twin sister had a thing for him and even though I never met the guy, I really believe he is good for Jenna. I wish I could meet him now. The only reason she waited so long to get with him is me. Well, really it’s because of my adoptive father, who is hell-bent on keeping my twin sister a secret. He is so scared that this scandal could hurt his political career that he made sure no one will ever find out about Jenna.

  “Josephine!” My mom yells through the door as the door handle wiggles. I look at the time.

  “Shoot,” I tell Jenna. “I’m supposed to be downstairs for dinner. You know I would much rather talk to you but…”

  “Josephine, unlock the door!” My mom interrupts.

  “Sorry, I got to go.”

  “It’s okay, Josie. I love you, so much, and I miss you. Don’t forget that you are my better half,” Jenna says through the phone.

  “I love and miss you too,” I tell her. She thinks that I am the better half, but I know the truth. Jen will always be the better twin, but I don’t feel like arguing with her today. “Be careful.”

  “Okay, bye.” The line goes dead and I can’t help but smile at what she just told me. Jenna has had some crushes in the past but what she has with Hunter is more than that. I know my twin sister better than anyone and she is head over heels for this guy. He makes her happy, and that makes me happy. I just wish that I could meet him and not half to hide that Jenna is my sister.

  I can’t wait until I am eighteen and I can get out of here. Three more months and no one will be able to tell me and Jenna what to do. I walk downstairs for dinner already dreading the half hour I have to spend with my parents at the dining room table. I much preferred when my dad was working long hours and we ate separately.

  My parents think that I am acting like a spoiled brat as part of my journey into adulthood. I know better than to blame puberty on my animosity towards my parents. My hatred for my mom and my dad runs deep. It wasn’t always like this. I did love them at one point. Years of their selfish acts and hostility toward my sister and my birthmother have driven me away from them and the love I once had.

  The way they have always treated Jenna like she is less than me is most of it. They have used her time and time again to blackmail me into submission. Not letting me meet my birthmother or go to her funeral was the tipping point. I can’t forgive them anymore. Not after everything they have done.

  I take my seat at the table without acknowledging them.

  My mom clears her throat. “Josephine, we need to talk about some upcoming events we need to attend and you will be expected to be there.” She puts her fork down and glares at me for a second. “Are you listening to me, young lady?”

  “Yes.” I stab a green bean with my fork, imagining it was my mom’s tongue instead. Anything to make her stop talking to me. I take a bite of my perfectly cooked vegetable.

  “The first one is next month, so we have to get a new dress for you soon. Then there are two in May and another one in the beginning of July. So, we might as well go shopping this week and buy four new formal dresses.”

  I burst out laughing. She is counting me in for an event in July. My birthday is in June and the minute I turn eighteen I will be out of here and I am not planning on coming back. Ever.

  “Anything funny about that?” My mom asks dryly.

  “Yes, it’s funny how you assume that I will be here in July.” I’m still chuckling.

  “Please enlighten us, where will you be in July?” My dad questions me.

  “I don’t know and I don’t care as long as I am away from here, and with my sister.” All humor leaves my voice then, replaced by the anger boiling up inside me.

  “I don’t advise you to do such a stupid thing,” my dad says with a calmness to his voice that gives me chills.

  “And why is that?”

  “How do you think you’re going to be able to live on your own? No money. No job. No place to live.”

  “I have a full ride scholarship. I don’t need your money. Or your house. Or you.” I worked my ass off to make sure that I would get into any school I want to and that it’s going to be paid for.

  “I would advise you to rethink your plans,” my mom says shaking her head. “Your dad needs the family to stand strong and united for the upcoming election. You will attend all the events you are expected to be at and you will do so with a smile on your face.”

  “Or what?” A tingle runs down my spine in anticipation of their words.

  “Do you really think I couldn’t make that scholarship go away?” My dad says all matter of fact.

  “Then I’ll get a student loan,” I rebuttal, lifting my chin in defiance.

  My dad snorts condescendingly. “No one will give you a loan without us cosigning. I made sure of that.” The fact that he is talking past tense makes my stomach churn. He thought about this and even prepared for this.

  “If you fight us on this, you will leave me no choice but to act accordingly.” Then he delivers the final blow. “So, unless you want to end up like a stripper and drug addict like your birth mother, you should really rethink y
our attitude.”

  I run up the stairs into my room and slam the door shut behind me. I use such force that I scare myself with the loud bang and I wonder if the hinges might fall off. I want to throw things, hit stuff and yell at the top of my lungs. I don’t because I know none of it would matter. Nothing I do has ever mattered. I just want to get away from here, from this place and these people. I open my window and look down. I’m on the second floor but there are plants and bushes underneath my window. They are going to break my fall. I swing my legs out first. I turn around and lower myself so I am just hanging on my windowsill. I push off the wall a few inches and then I let myself fall. I huff in relieve when landing on my feet without getting hurt.

  I turn around and make my way through the bushes in the dark. I should have considered my attire before jumping out of the window. The thin sweater is not protecting my arms from the branches digging and cutting into my arms. I start running as soon as I make it onto the lawn. Cold march air is hissing around me, numbing my face and fingers. I run away from the house as fast as I can. I don’t know where to go. All I know is that I need to get away.

  2

  Colt

  I wonder if Hunter knows that his girl has a twin sister. Looking at the text messages I found on Jenna’s phone, I doubt it. I did some research before coming here. The whole story is all kinds of messed up if you ask me. The senator seems to be a real prick letting his adopted daughter’s twin sister rot in the system while he and his family are living it up. As I expected, this neighborhood is ritzy and over the top. Everything around here is a facade. The large houses, the well-kept yards, the expensive cars, and most of all the people. Everybody in this neighborhood is hiding behind their money and their things. I see people for what they really are and most of them are selfish monsters. Myself included.

  I actually felt bad kidnaping Mindy and taking her away from her baby. It’s just something that needed to be done. She’ll will be fine and I’ll let her go as soon as Jaxon and Hunter are behind bars. I just need to give them an extra incentive to go and Josephine is going to be just that. I’m not going to feel bad about taking this girl though. I hate rich brats. I hate everything about them.

  How fake they are. Their hair, their nails, their tan, everything is fake. I despise how they think that they are entitled to everything and that they are better than people who are less wealthy than them. I hope she breaks one of her manicured fingernails while I shove her in the trunk.

  I park a two house down from where they live and walk the rest. It’s after sundown and I am wearing dark jeans, a black hoody, and a leather jacket. My attire perfectly concealing me in the darkness. I can’t see the house from here but I already found a spot where I can climb the wall surrounding the property. I’m going to wait till everyone goes to bed, break in, and take her.

  I walk alongside the wall looking around to make sure no one sees me. I’m about to climb the wall when a noise makes me freeze. I look around again, but I still don’t see anyone. I must be going crazy. I take another step closer to the wall when something crashes into me, slamming me to the ground. Not something, someone, I realize quickly. I groan as that someone is still on top of me and digging her elbow in my chest while trying to get up. I know it is a her, because of the long, flowery smelling hair in my face and the high pitch whimper coming from her throat.

  “Oh my god! I am so sorry. Are you okay? I didn’t think anyone was out here. I am so, so sorry. I didn’t mean to,” she rambles on. She finally gets up from me, rolling to the side and ending up on her knees beside me. She has a hand on my shoulder and the other on my chest like she is checking me for injuries. My first instinct is to slap her hands away but then our eyes meet. There is only a hand full of street lamps on this road and none of them are close. Most light is coming from the night sky, but that is enough to let me see her face. Genuine concern is written all over it. That is not what gets me though. It’s her eyes that draw me in and make me forget why I am here. The sadness and hopelessness in them that won’t let me take my eyes off of her. I know this look very well because that is what I see every time I look in the mirror.

  There is an instant connection between us that I can’t explain. Suddenly, I don’t want her hands gone. I want to cover them with mine so she can’t take them away. Her touch feels warm and comforting. No one has touched me like this in a very long time, maybe even ever.

  “Are you okay?” She repeats her question, making me snap out of it long enough to answer her.

  “I’m fine.” I get up and she follows my movements to stand next to me. “What were you doing?”

  “I… I… was just going for a walk,” she obviously lies. She tries to hide her deception with a fake smile and only then I realize that it’s her. Dammit, she looks nothing like her social media pictures or the family portraits posted online. She doesn’t really look like Jenna either, her hair is shorter and her face is thinner. Why the hell is she climbing the wall when she could just walk out the front gate?

  “Really?” I cock my eyebrow and glance at the wall.

  She covers her face with both hands and starts crying into them. Her whole body shakes with each sob. I have never been so at a loss for words. I have no idea what to do or say. This wasn’t part of the plan. I stare at her hands and her chewed fingernails while trying to figure out how I can escape this alternate universe that I must have fallen into.

  “Oh god, I am so sorry,” she says between sobs. “You must think I’m crazy, climbing walls, falling onto strangers and then crying hysterically.”

  “We all have our bad days.” Her day is about to get even worse, she just doesn’t know it yet.

  “That saying assumes that we all have the occasional bad day. What if the bad days are the norm and the good days are the rarity?” Her voice raw with emotions while she looks at some random spot on the ground.

  “What if all days are bad?” I don’t know when this little sidewalk conversation got so deep but I can’t help talking to her like this. I’ve never felt so understood by anybody.

  She looks up at me through her thick lashes. “Then we need to make them better.”

  I wish it was that easy.

  3

  Josephine

  The sound of an engine roaring to life echoes down the driveway. Headlights forming a play of light and shadows on the road, past the wall. “Shit,” I say to myself. The humming and squeaking of the automatic gate opening are next and I start backing away from it, forgetting the stranger next to me. I bump into him, again. Although with substantially less force this time. “I’m sorry!” I’m not sure how many times I said that to him today, but it still doesn’t seem enough.

  I’m not ready to go back. I start panicking at the thought. I just need a few hours to breathe. I’m about to start running when the stranger puts his hand on my shoulder. His hand is heavy, his touch firm but not threatening. It’s almost like it grounds me. “My car is parked two houses down. You want me to take you somewhere?”

  “Yes,” I answer without a second thought. He leads the way to his car, unlocking it with his key automatically before we get there. I get into the passenger seat, with my lungs gasping for air and my heart pounding. Just when our doors are closed I see my dad’s car pull out of the driveway and into the road. I lower myself into the leather seat, trying to hide as much as I can as my father passes. He doesn’t see me and I take a deep breath of relief. I’m startled when he starts the engine and the car moves. I instinctively buckle up.

  “You always get into cars with strangers?” There is something in his voice I didn’t notice before or maybe it wasn’t there when we talked on the sidewalk. He sounds strained, almost regretful. He probably didn’t really want to give me a ride.

  “Not normally. You don’t have to give me a ride if you don’t want to. I can walk or take a bus or something. I’ll figure it out. I don’t want to burden you.” He doesn’t answer at first, only keeps driving and stares blankly at the road. He mus
t think I am a total nut job. I try not to gawk at him but my eyes keep wandering over to look at his profile. He seems to be close to my age, maybe a few years older. He is wearing casual clothes but they are still expensive looking. The car he drives is also nice and smells new. Even though he appears to be well off when it comes to money, he doesn’t seem like the other rich kids I know from the private school I go to. There is something haunted and desolate about him that draws me in. Maybe that’s why I feel so connected to him. This stranger I know nothing about made me feel like he understands me. I haven’t felt like that in a long time, maybe not ever. Jenna understands most of me but even she can’t comprehend how lost and disconnected from the world I feel most of the time.

  “You are not a burden and I don’t mind giving you a ride,” he answers after a while.

  “Thank you.” I peek down at my sweater that is ripped on both sleeves. I roll them up and find deep scratches on my arms. I look like I fought with a dozen cats and lost. They don’t hurt yet, I am still too wired. I am sure I’ll feel them in the morning.

  “What happened?” He asks when he catches me looking at my arms.

  “It’s nothing. I kind of ran through some greenery in the dark. Just got some scratches from the branches.” I pull the sleeves back down, trying to hide my damaged skin.

  “You going to tell me what you’re running from?”

  I laugh, “I honestly don’t know. I just had the overwhelming need to get away. I guess I didn’t think things through.” I lean my head against the window and close my eyes, trying my best not to cry again. The glass is cool on my forehead and I try to concentrate on that. “I guess I really don’t have any place to go. I don’t really have any friends around here.” Almost inaudible I add, “I really don’t have friends anywhere.”