HER THREE BEAUTIFUL LIES

Chapter 13: Project Rules

Boring!”

Liam's single-word contribution earned him four simultaneous stares. He sat back in his chair, looking thoroughly unimpressed by the direction the conversation had taken.

Noel and I had come up with a list of ideas we could explore, and a campus recycling campaign was one of the top ideas on our project list, however Liam didn't agree with that.

“What's boring?” Noel asked.

“Everything about that.” Liam gestured vaguely at his brother. “Bins? Posters? Counting trash? We're university students, not a group of overworked sanitation officers.”

Jean snorted. Maya covered her mouth with her hand, already looking entertained. For someone who contributed less to the group, Liam seemed to have a lot of criticism to lash out.

I pinched the bridge of her nose. “Liam, do you have a better suggestion?”

“Obviously.” His face brightened.

“We organize a massive campus party.”

Silence filled the room. Noel and I gaped at him. Jean slowly lowered his phone, and Maya's shoulders began shaking.

“A party,” I repeated flatly.

“Yes.” Liam spread his arms, as though he'd just unveiled the solution to world hunger. “A themed party. We charge a small entrance fee, organize games, sell food, and invite students from different departments. We could even have a competition between faculties.”

He snapped his fingers.

I had absolutely nothing to say. How did he manage to make a party sound vaguely educational? The worst part was, he believed it was actually an innovative idea. I began imagining him standing in front of the panel, pitching his so-called great idea.

Noel rubbed his forehead. “Our project is about student-focused ventures that solves a real problem, Liam. Not how to get the entire university drunk on a Friday night.”

“Who said anything about getting drunk?” Liam shot back. “There are soft drinks. Juice. Water. People can have fun without alcohol.”

Jean burst out laughing.

Maya slapped the table. “Oh my God.”

“I'm serious!” Liam insisted, turning toward them. “You two are laughing, but this is the only idea anyone has suggested that people might actually want to participate in.”

“That's because it's a party,” Noel pointed out.

“And people love parties.”

Jean made a strangled noise that sounded suspiciously like a laugh she was trying to swallow.

Liam turned on her.

“You. What do you think?”

Jean raised both hands. “I think I'm witnessing a beautiful example of teamwork.”

Liam pointed at Noel. “Pick a side. Him, with his trash cans and his little posters, or me, with a perfectly reasonable plan to make this project memorable?”

“Your plan is not perfectly reasonable,” I exhaled slowly.

Liam wrinkled his nose, and shot me a mocking glare, folding his arms under his chest.

Why does it feel like you're automatically siding with Noel? “

" I'm not.” I countered and he rolled his eyes at my words.

" Why do you dislike me so much, Cleo?”

“Huh?" I was taken aback by his unexpected question.

Why would he think I hated him? I mean I didn't like his guts, or his reputation. But that didn't mean I hated the guy. Wait! Was I being rude towards him?

" It feels like everything I do provokes you somewhere. Have I wronged you in any way, Cleo Hart?”

" Of course not! " I quickly responded, then pressed my lips together.

I turned my face away, refusing to meet his watchful eyes. Instead I sneaked a peek at my bestie, who seemed to be holding her breath.

The look on Liam's face said he didn't believe me. To be honest, he hasn't offended me— well except that he happened to be my unintended client the other night. I guess I let that reason affect the way I acted towards him. He had no idea I was the woman he went on a date with, and he definitely didn't deserve the mean treatment I gave him.

“I apologize if I've been rude towards you." I said slowly.

“If ? " He c****d an eyebrow. “You've been very mean to me from day one.”

I squinted my eyes at him. Was he being serious right now? I blew out my cheeks before speaking again.

“Fine. I apologize for always being mean to you." My voice came out a little too sarcastic than I intended.

" That doesn't sound convincing to me.” He winked.

I take my words back. I despised Liam Brook! I heard Maya and Jean snickering across the table as though I couldn't hear them. Noel sat in silence watching the both of us.

“ I'm sorry. Can we call for a truce?”

“Sure." He flashed me his signature smug smile, then extended his hands towards me.

“WOW!" Jean rested her chin on her plan, and sighed. “I love the atmosphere in this group." She said and Maya snorted beside her.

– – – – – – –

We finally settled back into comparing the project. Since we still weren't certain about our options, we agreed to try again at our next meeting. Liam was scrolling through his phone, when his mouth curved into a smile as he read whatever message was written on his screen.

So, I've got a fight tonight.”

Liam announced it casually, spinning a pen between his fingers as he leaned back in his chair.

Maya glanced up from her notebook. “A fight?”

“ Boxing match,” he clarified. “Eight o'clock. You guys can show up if you want.”

He said it as though he were inviting us to grab coffee, rather than volunteering to have someone punch him in the face.

Jean, who had been scrolling through her phone, suddenly looked up.

“Wait. An actual underground fight? As in, the illegal kind?” He smirked at her.

Jean sat straighter. “I've always been fascinated by those things.”

“You won't be disappointed if you show up. What are you two? Are you coming?”

" Nope.” I said almost too quickly.

" Sorry, but I can't stomach watching such brutal shows.” Maya voiced with a grimace on her face, then shuddered as though the mere thought of it sent shivers down her spine.

Noel, who had been quietly packing his things, cleared his throat.

“Well, if anyone would rather watch something that doesn't involve potential brain damage, we have hockey practice. It starts in a few minutes.”

Liam scoffed. “Here we go.”

Noel ignored him. “Our next game is in two days."

“I'm in,” Maya said without hesitation while nudging me under the table. I had no idea what that was about.

I glanced between them. " I'll come, too.”

Noel's expression softened into a pleased smile. “Great. I'll see you guys there.”

“Look at that,” Liam drawled. “A whole audience for the golden boy.”

Noel gave him a flat look. “You're welcome to come, too.”

“Watch you skate around in circles? I'll pass.”

“It's hockey, Liam.”

“That's what I said.”

“Besides,” Liam continued, turning toward the us. “You're seriously missing out. You have no idea what an underground fight is like until you've seen one in person.The energy, the adrenaline, the crowd going wild—”

“The possibility of someone ending up in the emergency room,” I interrupted.

“That's part of the charm.” He said casually.

“Fine. Go watch Noel chase a puck around the ice.”

“Jean will be at your fight though.” Maya reminded him.

“Exactly. I'll have an audience.”

“An audience of one,” Noel pointed out.

Liam smirked. “One is all I need.”

There was something about the way he said it that earned him a glance from me. He looked entirely too pleased with himself.

“Besides,” he added, picking up his phone, “I won't exactly be alone tonight.”

Jean leaned forward, instantly intrigued. “Oh, someone is coming?”

“Maybe.”

“Who?"

He shot her a grin before speaking. “That's all you're getting out of me.”

" You still aren't saying a word, huh?”

I didn't care who Liam invited to his little fight club. He could invite the entire female population of Westbridge University. Yet that unsettling feeling that something wasn't right returned, I jumbled the thought to the back of my head.

“Anyway,” Liam said, pushing his chair back, “have fun at the hockey game."

Then he strolled away, looking far too satisfied with himself.