Sweet Little Lies

Chapter 3

I break eye contact as another car pulls into the driveway and the Stuart twins park and walk towards the house.

"Looky here, lil' Harper isn't so lil' anymore." Clint teases.

"Remember me?" Clive asks, smiling his megawatt smile. I rolled my eyes at both of them.

"She's been gone four years. Of course she remembers you, moron." Clint says, coming up the steps.

"Now, give me some sugar." He orders, kissing my cheek and hugging me.

The Stuarts have always been huge flirts. They're adorable with their sweet baby faces and they know it.

They have those cheeks that are always a little bit pink with pretty grey eyes framed by long dark eyelashes and light brown hair.

"You guys look exactly the same" I said, moving to hug Clive too.

"Handsome as always." Clint agrees, smirking.

"And I could be all yours." Clive responds, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.

I shook my head. "I think l'will pass. I wouldn't want to upset all the single ladies in town."

"Harper get inside. Its time to eat." Dan ordered from the door, sounding like a big brother again.

Clint holds the door open for me and closes it on his brother. I laugh at their playfulness, but when I see Ajax's face I stop. He seems upset about something. I stand by the door as the twins get into a shoving match while walking to the kitchen.

When Ajax shuts the door, I ask, "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. Just tired." He replies.

I nod and walk to the kitchen, joining the fray of people making plates and waiting in line. I filled my plate with my mother's fried chicken and mashed potatoes and green beans. I find an empty spot on the plate as Ajax sits next to me.

Why does he have to sit next to me?

I focus on eating, even as his arm brushes mine. I've been nice and polite, but what is he doing? Why is he following me around? No, that's not it. Looking around, I see there's not many options to sit.

We were the last people to make a plate.

Just treat him like your brother's best friend and nothing more, I remind myself.

"How have you been? Are you excited about taking over the West End?" I asked, having conversation.

"I'm good. Yeah, I'm happy he's finally retiring. He works too hard."

I scoffed. "And you don't? Pa and Dan are the same way. It's the Montana way." I sing, knowing it's embroidered on more than one pillow spanning this great state.

"True." He smiled in agreement. We eat in silence for a few minutes when he asks, "What did you mean when you said we're practically related?"

I refused to look at him, he might see the pain in my eyes. I take another bite and chew. " Just that we grew up together."

He nods and he understands. "Are you really happy to be back?"

"Yeah, of course. I could have done without the party, but I can't wait to get settled back into my old room."

He chuckles. "Have you seen your old room?"

"No, why?" I asked, worriedly. Ma, what did you do?

"I believe it's the craft room now." He states, amused.

I groan. "Why didn't Ma tell me?" Where am I supposed to stay?

The couch?

"I told her it was fine if you stayed in the big house. My parents are leaving at the end of the week anyway."

I almost choked. "Stay with you. No, way." He looks at me surprised.

"Why not?" He questions, not understating why I would have an issue with it. I stutter and stop several times, but finally get my thoughts together.

"I need my space and it'd be very weird to live with you."

I told him, fighting the panic.

"Its your only option really, unless you want to stay with Dan."

Just thinking of the mess Dan lives in has me shuddering.

"I can't believe she didn't tell me." I grumbled. I could've made other arrangements if I would've known.

"It won't be so bad. I have a housekeeper, a cook and it's not like we'll be sharing a room. You'll have your own space."

"Yeah, I guess. Are you sure your okay with it?" I asked, then looked at him knowingly.

"Your Ma is making you, isn't she?"

He chuckles as he makes eye contact with me. "It was her idea, but I honestly don't mind."

"I'll still look for a place to rent. I don't want to put you out." I said, fully intending to move to town if need be.

"Harp, its fine." He replies, seriously.

I sigh, it might be fine for him, but not for me. I don't need to hear the comings and goings of any women.

I must have made a disgusted face thinking about him with numerous women because he asked, "What's the

problem now?"

"Nothing. There's no problem." I replied, waving him off.

"Then what's with the look?" He questions, his eyes narrowing on mine.

"Well, I don't want to sound picky, but our rooms aren't like each other are they?" I asked, awkwardly.

"Why does that matter?" He asked, clearly lost.

I try not to blush as I think about how to put my concern into words.

"Are you thinking of bringing guys to my house?" He asks, the anger in his voice surprising me.

"What! No! I am currently thinking about bringing you---"

"I'm not involved with anyone and I wouldn't bring anyone into my home unless it was serious." He states, effectively ending my line of thought.

I should have known better than to think he would.

"Sorry, I'm just being stupid. Its fine. Thanks for letting me stay with you." I said, finding my manners.

"I guess that's why Dan and Pa didn't bring my luggage." I muttered, annoyed.

"I still can't believe they didn't tell me." I guess my plan to avoid Ajax is short-lived, until I can find somewhere else or talk Ma into clearing out my room...

After dinner, I tracked down Ma. "Why didn't you tell me I was staying up at the big house and not here?"

"Because knowing you, you'd get an apartment in town away from us." She responds, knowingly.

"I'm still going to find a place to rent." I told her.

"Just give it a chance." She orders.

"I don't have a choice now, do I? Can't you just clear your stuff out of my room?" I pouted.

"Honey, where would Lucinda and I do our craft projects?"

"Use Dan's old room," I suggested.

"Its full of your stuff and Dan's. I can't even find a bed in that mess, it's all boxes and furniture. Really, Harper, the Wests are being gracious enough to let you stay and work for them. Stop being so ungrateful." She scolds.

Ma can always put me firmly in my place. I guess I have to make the best out of the situation. I'll be closer to work. If I moved to town it would take an hour to get here every morning. Ah, I just want this party to be over so I can go to sleep.