The Secret (Book 2 in The Deception Series)

Chapter 16: torture and quiet

Jules

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"Lacy"- Olivia Rodrigo

Taylor Perez is sweet torture to me. But she's so loveable which makes me hate her more. I've never been jealous of anyone before, except fucking Taylor Perez. She's beautiful, funny, kind, caring, and lovable. Anyone who's in her presence can feel so special, including me. At work, she treats me like her best friend, she laughs with me, asks how my day is going, and she checks to see if I'm stressed or need a break. Who could not like this girl? It's impossible for me to hate her as much as I want to. I can't. She's fucking perfect.

Right now, I was sitting in her apartment with Lily and Norah. I was sitting on her bed while Lily did Taylor's hair. She's throwing her boyfriend a surprise birthday party. I loathe her for her perfectness.

I get up and walk over to her wall of pictures and stare at them, there were so many photos. There were photos of her and her family, her friends, and her boyfriend. She had the perfect life. A life I could never have. She was close to her mom, I wasn't. I can't stand my mother. She had a bunch of friends, I had one good one. She has a boyfriend who worships the ground she walks on, while I struggle to even get a smile from Brennen.

"Oh yeah, this would fit perfectly." Lily says as she ties a white ribbon in Taylors hair.

I stare at her as Taylor smiles at herself in the mirror. I'd kill to be her.

She stands up to reveal her short, light purple, sparkly dress.

"Everyone ready?" She asks.

"Yes!" Norah cheers.

I smile.

"Let's go." Lily laughs.

I grab my phone and we all make our way out of the apartment and to Taylor's car. We get in and me and Norah get in the back, where I accidentally hit a pair of skates.

"There's skates back here." I say.

"Oh yeah, those are mine. Garrett got them for me." Taylor says.

"You skate?" Norah asks.

"I used to, when I was a kid. Garrett got those for me after we went to his grandparents lake house and went skating on the lake." She explains.

"No wonder Garrett is madly in love with you. You know how to skate." Norah laughs.

Taylor laughs with her and I sulk into my seat, hoping someone strangles me with the laces on those skates.

We finally reach the house and see more people pulling in at the end of the street, away from the house so Garrett doesn't see.

"Where's Garrett right now?" I ask as we get out.

"He's staying late at the rink to practice, so it's perfect." Taylor explains.

I nod as we walk into the house that was filled with people. I walk into the kitchen behind the girls and see the rest of the guys setting up more decorations by the dining table.

"Wow, good job, guys. I'm surprised you were competent enough to do this." Taylor sneers as she walks up to them.

"Chris isn't but the rest of us are." Jake says.

"Hey!" Chris says as he slaps the back of Jake's head.

"You look nice, Tay-Tay." Brennen smiles as he looks at her.

I stare at him as he looks at her with love. I missed when he looked at me like that. It hurt a lot to see him with Taylor.

"You all look hot as fuck." Chris smirks.

"Shut up." Lily laughs.

"Are all these people friends with Garrett?" Norah asks.

"I wouldn't say "friends" but the girls are in love with him and the boys just praise him for his hockey skills, or they're just here for the alcohol." Jake explains.

"Damn." Norah says as she looks around

"Is there booze?" I ask.

"Of course there is." Jake says pointing to the keg.

"Thank god." I say before walking over to it and grabbing a cup.

I fill it up and start chugging it.

"I'm not surprised to find you here." I hear a familiar voice say.

I look up to see Josh from the party I went to with Chris and Garrett.

"Hey, I didn't know you'd be here." I smile.

"I know Brennen, remember?" He asks.

"Oh yeah."

"Want a drink?" I ask.

"Yes, ma'm." He smiles.

I grab a cup and fill it up for him before handing it to him.

"You look beautiful, by the way." He says.

"Thank you." I say, trying not to blush.

I wished it was Brennen saying those words to me. Me and Josh continue to talk and get to know each other more. I didn't mind him at all. He was nice, and I liked the way he talked to me. He didn't pay attention to anyone but me. But across the room I was catching Brennen throwing glances at me. Everytime we made eye contact I would block out whatever Josh was saying to me and only focus on Brennen. It was always the same with him. Everything went quiet in my world when Brennen was near me.