The Fault (Book 3 in The Deception Series)

Chapter 21: invasion

Chris

~~~~~~~~~~~

I laugh as Olivia places a chip into my mouth.

She smiles as I chew it.

"So, when are you gonna tell us about the story behind your new haircut?" Jess asks from across the table.

I came out with all of them for some lunch and Jess was really intrigued by my buzz cut.

"I already told you, I felt like I needed a change." I tell her as I eat my enchiladas.

I love Mexican food, I could eat it for days.

"I don't believe it. You're obsessed with your hair, you would cry when Mom tried to get you to trim it when you were younger." She explains.

"Your hair feels like grass." Olivia says as she stands up on the booth and rubs her hand on the top of my head.

I laugh as I look at her.

"Tell us what really happened." Jonah says.

"Fine. I'm at war with a girl." I tell them.

They smile as they both lean forward on the table.

"I put purple dye in her face wash, so she put pink hair dye in my conditioner. So I shaved my head." I explain to them.

They laugh at me and I roll my eyes.

"Is this the girl you like?" Jess asks.

"Not anymore, she told me to move on." I roll my eyes.

I knew that was a lie, I still liked her but I couldn't admit that. It's embarrassing, especially because she made it clear that we would never be together.

"So this war isn't happening because you like her?" Jonah asks.

"Nope, I'm over her." I say as I lean back in my seat.

Jess laughs as she looks at me.

"What? I'm serious, I have no interest in her." I say as I grab Olivia who had sour cream all over her mouth, I place her on my lap before grabbing a napkin.

"Are you sure you don't like her?" Jonah asks.

"Yes, I barely even know her." I tell him as I wipe his daughter's mouth.

"Whatever you say, Chris." Jess smiles.

"Uncle Chris?" Olivia asks.

"Yes, Liv." I smile at her.

"When do I get to meet the girl you like?" She asks.

I looked at her face, she was filled with hope. It warmed my heart, sometimes she felt like my own daughter. She meant so much to me, I never want to see her hope get sucked away from her.

"Hopefully soon." I tell her.

She smiles, "Yay!" She says as she hugs me.

I chuckle as I hold her in my arms.

"You should take Olivia to your place for the weekend." Jess says

I stare at her, "I don't know if it's a safe environment, I mean in a house full of hockey guys that love to party." I tell her.

"Aw, please, Uncle Chris." Olivia begs.

"I know your friends, they'd be mature." Jess says.

"Plus, it's only till tomorrow, we'll pick her in the afternoon." Jonah says.