Reasons For My Lies

Chapter 5

Hayley's POV:

"Hey babe, my mum asked if you'd like to come over for dinner tonight?" I turn to face Jake, disappointment immediately washing over him. "I'm sorry babe" I pout, "I promised father, I'd be home tonight". He searched my eyes for a different outcome. I turned my head to the side and put my hand on his chest, "how about tomorrow night?" I say soft and seductively. Jake cups my right cheek and happily replies, "Sounds good baby girl". I give him a soft kiss and turn to see the cheer squad "awing". "Predictable" I thought while mentality rolling my eyes. We put on a good show as always. 

As I'm heading down the hallway towards the front entrance, Cassie stops me in my tracks. "did you hear?" she says. I look up at her, curious to hear more. "Hayden's throwing a back to school party this weekend". Hayden was Jakes best friend. The typical arrogant male that had his way with ladies. He was cocky and annoying. Cassie and Hayden used to date a year ago, until she caught him cheating on her. From what I heard, Hayden tried to win her back countless times, but Cassie wasn't interested. I admired her for her strength, though couldn't help to wonder about the reason she never went back to him. They were inseparable and she was obsessed with everything about him. For a month I had to deal with the broken pieces Hayden had left of her, until something changed suddenly. She started smoking weed and attending every party, but never hooked up with anyone ever, which I admired.

"CARTER!" Shouts Hayden from behind us. I jump and Cassie laughs at my reaction, while Hayden puts his arm around her waist. Ah "Carter", the name people now called me here at school. I raise an eyebrow at Cassie and giggle at her disgust, while she tries to escape Hayden's arm. "Me and Carter were just talking about your party, Friday night". Cassie says, as she steps next me and away from Hayden. Hayden's eyes sadden by Cassie's sudden placement. "yeah, count us in" I say while wrapping an arm around Cassie and watching Hayden squirm in his place. His eyebrow raises and a smirk appears on his lips. I could tell he was undressing us with his eyes. "Sounds good ladies", he winks and wonders back down the hall. me and Cassie laugh. "And where are you off too?" Cassie questions, as she pulls out her phone. "I have to help father with the sheep" I reply, rolling my eyes. She raises her eyes from her phone and tilts her head. "did you get my message this morning?", "oh s**t sorry, no I didn't get a chance to read it" I respond hesitantly. "never mind" she says, shaking her head "Nathan Tanners, back in town".

A chill goes down my spine, as she mentions his name. "I heard" I reply, trying to suppress the emotion building inside. "Jake's got some competition" she winks, while nudging me with her elbow. I grab out my phone and make it vibrate in front of her. "I'm sorry Cassie", I quickly say, shutting the conversation down, "this is my father....I have to go". I run down the stairs and pretend to answer my fake phone call. I turn around and wave to Cassie, watching her walk away. "phew" I thought to myself, putting my phone down and jumping into my car. I wasn't prepared to speak about him yet. I drive off in the direction to my house and put the radio up loud, to rid my mind from all the chatter.

I turn down the street before mine and continue driving, until I reach the end of the road. I pull up behind a tree, hiding majority of my car to remain unseen. I put my phone in the console, jump out of the car and look out in front of me. I take in a deep breath, while admiring the view. Tall trees shadowing the inside, keeping the light of day away. Dark, dense and mysterious. The forest that kept my secrets. I look up towards the blue sky and wait for his arrival. I knew he was following me, but I didn't acknowledge his presence. I walked forward into the the depths of the darkness, knowing exactly where to lead him. Before reaching the river, I quickly turned right and out of his range of view. I hid behind a tall thick tree, taking in slow deep breaths to calm my racing heart. "It was time....I couldn't keep avoiding him" I reminded myself. *CRACK* The sound of a branch braking beneath his feet, pulling me back to reality. I took a step to the left and made direct eye contact with the man before me, "Are you following me Nathan Tanner?"

I study his facial expressions, going from shocked to confusion and letting his scent consume me once again. "How do you know my name?", he asks frowning. "Was this a game to him" my mind questioning me. Now that he was closer, I could take in how much he had changed. His hair longer and tied in a bun with shaved sides, his jawline shadowed a recently shaved beard and diamond blue eyes, still as captivating as the first time I saw them. Tattoos covered his left arm, leaving the desire to see more. His body muscular and toned, which you could see through his uniform. "Do you like what you see?" he said in a raspy and seductive tone. "YES!" my mind screamed, awakening me inside. I looked him in the eyes and titled my head to the right, with a slight smirk appearing on my lips. His eyes dropped instantly, looking down at my lips while licking his own. "Why are you back?" I questioned, crossing my arms and breaking the tension.

"You didn't answer my question" he answered. His tone now frustrated and annoyed. I chuckled, "Neither did you, Nathan" I smile innocently. He goes to speak, but pauses...."It's Nate". I look at him confused, raising an eyebrow. "I go by the name Nate now" he continues. I chuckle again, "what happened to Tanner? not good enough for the city folks" I reply while leading him towards the river. "How do you know so much about me?" he says following my direction. "Did he really not recognize me anymore?" I began questioning myself again, as sit at the edge of the river. He takes a seat next me and lets out a long breathe in defeat. I decide to ease his mind, "You were head quarterback in junior high" he turns to face me. "Everybody was talking about you today" I continue, "your were quite popular". He frowns and looks back out at the river. "Oh...what else did you hear?" He replies. "Does it matter what I hear?....Its all just chatter and background noise". He smiles and agrees with a nod. "When did you move into the farm across from me?" he questions. I immediately tense as the realization hits me. I jump to my feet and walk away leaving him there "he didn't recognize me at all".