Burnt Lies

Liar, Liar, Liar

Alara

Was it still a lie if the words had never left your mouth? 

Stealing glances at Cameron while he was driving and trying not to blurt out everything that had happened in his father's office damn near killed me. Was I lying or just hiding the truth? Was there even a difference between the two? 

"You look tense, darling," that smooth drawl wrapped me up once more. 

"Hmm, no I'm fine. I really am," Liar, liar, liar. 

"Ok, but everything I said to you is true," without taking his eyes off of the road he clasped my hand in his. The warmth of the contact made me feel even more guilty. He was being so gentle, so caring so not the monster he had been painted out to be. No, the real monster was me, concealing information that could change everything for him. 

"Do you think Leo and Echo will be mad at me for running off?" I tried to divert the subject away from anything to do with his father, or what had occurred in that office. 

He chuckled slightly, "I'm sure that even if they are a bit irritated, they will be glad you're fine and with me,"

"Should we tell them about the wedding being moved up?" I hadn't even thought much about the prospect of my literal wedding being in just a fortnight. It had always been a fantasy for me to dress up in the most beautiful gown and walk down that isle to the man I loved. And would what was happening be too far from that childhood dream?

Did I love Cameron?

I pushed the thoughts away, it was far to painful to consider that when I was lying through my teeth to him. And part of me knew that once the truth was out we would both get brunt by my lies.

But that was problem for future Alara to worry about. 

"I haven't really told many people that we were even getting married in the first place, but now that it's been moved up I guess I'll just have to bite the bullet and make an announcement," I scrunched my nose at the statement.

"Bite the bullet, would it really be that dangerous to marry me?" I contested, trying to lighten the mood return to the conversations we usually had which mostly consisted of insults and bouncing off of each others words. 

He took his eyes from the road and stared deeply into mine, "Darling, you don't know how dangerous you can be,"

"How so?"

"Well for starters, anyone and I mean anyone who has the key to my heart is a danger," 

"Is that so Cameron Grayson, and why would be having the key to this," I pressed my hand to the middle of his chest where is heart beat elevated at the contact, "Make me dangerous."

"Because, if you have the key to this," he rested his free hand on mine sending shivers down the length of my arm, "You know I would do anything for you. And I mean anything," there was deadly resolve in his eyes. He was telling the truth, while I hid behind lies.

"That and," he paused slightly pulling his lip into his mouth by the crowns of his teeth, a nervous habit I had picked up on of his, something he did occasionally when he was unsure of his next words, "You're also dangerous, when you're angry."

I laughed a little, "Aren't you supposed to say I'm cute when I'm angry?" he vehemently shook his head. 

"Sweetheart, you are anything but cute when your angry. You're a real vixen,"

"I don't know if I should be flattered or furious," I replied my hand still underneath his one in a comfortable embrace. 

"Well you know what they say, Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned."

"True, so don't get on my bad side Cam,"

"I wouldn't dream of it."

Soon we were back at the base, and were met with a very concerned Echo. 

"God Alara, you're going to make me go to an early grave, you scared the life out of me," he spoke quickly his gaze flitting between me and Cameron. I tried to silently signal to him not to mention anything that I had seen about Cameron's father. He seemed to get the message and remained silent on that particular topic. 

Leo stood next to him, "I think that's the most I've heard you talk in one go Echo, Alara really has done a number on you,"

"I'm sorry Echo," this wasn't a lie, it was a genuine admission of an apology, I really did feel bad for the panic I must have ensued with my ramblings and running off. 

"It's ok," he mumbled the last part before raising his gaze to Cameron, "Everything alright boss?"

It seemed he was trying to gage whether I had told Cameron or not without being too obvious about his enquiries, it was no doubt that Echo was a clever guy. 

"Everything it ok, pretty much but the wedding is going to be moved up, it's in 2 weeks now."

That was when Mel joined the conversation, the bright haired beauty interjected, "No way, how are we supposed to plan a wedding in 2 weeks, this needs to be perfect for Alara, you should have told me sooner,"

"Perfect for Alara what about me?" Cameron questioned Mel. 

She gestured to him, "No one cares about you Cam,"

"You wound me so Melanie," he pressed a hand to his chest feigning hurt.

She stilled at the use of her full name, "You've got some nerve Grayson you know I hate being called that."

"Whatever you say Strata," I assumed that was Mel's last name. 

"Speaking of weddings, I have something to ask you Leo," Leo who had been distracted by his girlfriend's ramblings suddenly looked up. His crystallised blue eyes widening slightly as he focused in on Cameron. 

"Leo, you've always been there for me, you are genuinely like the brother I never had, I can't imagine living without you-,"

"God please don't propose to him, that's my man," Mel interrupted. 

"Way to ruin the moment," Cameron sighed, and I giggled slightly. 

He took a deep breath before continuing, "As I was saying before I was so very rudely interrupted, " he punctuated the sentence with a glare solely in Mel's direction who just barked out a laugh. 

"Leo I don't know what I would do without you. I am blessed to have you in my life. Will you be my best man?"

Leo's face burst into a smile as he rushed over to Cameron and engulfed him in a bear hug, "Of course man! I'd be offended if you asked anyone else."

"I wouldn't dream of it."

He pulled back from the hug, his face brightened with a distinctive joy, "I can't believe this, you're getting married, and to someone who is perfect for you."

"Thanks Leo," I responded genuinely.

Cameron walked over to me and pulled me into his side, his head bent down to face mine, "You're right Leo, she's perfect for me," and then so no one else could hear he whispered, "and only for me." My heart stammered at the statement and a fresh blush rushed to my face. 

"Now, we just need to ask Theo to be the flower girl," Cameron added and I couldn't stop myself from bursting into fits of laughter. 

"Are you sure about that Grayson?"