Lies of a Makeup Junkie

Chapter 7: If only blotting paper could dab away disagreements

When the movie was over, Lenox expected Callen to take her home but instead he packed everything up and asked if she was tired.

"Not really." It was only ten o'clock and her curfew was eleven.

"I want to show you something." Callen led her past the massive movie screen and to the edge of the park where trees lined the perimeter acting as a natural barrier. It was too dark to see what was beyond but by the way the ground dipped, she could tell it was some sort of ravine.

Nervous, she shuffled closer to him. He took her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "What's in there?" she asked.

"Trouble," someone said behind her. "Right here in River City."

Startled, she whirled around. "Trey." He was carrying a blanket and a flashlight which was turned off. "You scared me. Wait. You know Music Man?" she asked, recognizing the lyrics. He didn't seem the type with his mohawk and multiple piercings.

"Who doesn't?" he scoffed.

A sheepish Callen lifted a hand.

"It's a broadway musical," Trey explained. "And also a movie."

"An awesome movie," Lenox corrected. She loved musicals. She'd been obsessed every since her mom took her to Phantom of the Opera on her fourteenth birthday. There was something magical about musicals, especially the classics. They created a world where anything was possible.

"You just gained major points in my book," Trey told her.

"Was I not doing well?" she asked, half joking and half serious.

"You did ditch me at the creek to hang out with this guy," Trey replied, nodding to Callen who smirked.

"I didn't ditch you," she countered.

"Left me all by my lonesome. Rode away on a steel horse and never looked back."

Lenox didn't feel sorry for him one bit. She'd seen the girls swarm him. Like bees to honey. "I think you did just fine."

"He always does fine," Callen said with meaning.

"Like you're one to talk," Trey responded. He turned to Lenox, his silver earrings gleaming under the moonlight. "Do you know how many times I've seen this guy get a girl's number that was waaay out of his league?"

"Really, man?" Callen said, his gaze darting to Lenox. Feeling awkward, she quickly looked away.

Trey started backtracking. "Ah, I mean—Not that he gets around a lot because he doesn't. I don't even think he's ever had a serious girlfriend. I mean..." He cleared his throat. "You know what? I'm going to stop now."

"That's probably a good idea," Callen said.

Lenox didn't know what to make out of Trey's ramblings, but she did know it left her confused. Should she be happy Callen's never had a serious girlfriend? Or worried? Granted, she never had a serious, long-term boyfriend either, but she definitely dated. The problem was no one ever stuck. Did he have the same problem? Or was something—someone—standing in the way?

Trey switched on his flashlight and pointed to the trees. "You guys heading to the Rift?"

"What's the Rift?" she asked, avoiding Callen's gaze. It felt weird to look at him. Like maybe he could see the questions piling in her head.

Callen pulled a flashlight out of his bag. "Just a place we hang out. It's fun."

Her idea of fun wasn't going deep into the woods at night. Couldn't they stop at an ice cream place or something? Now, that was fun. "Is it safe to be going in there?" she asked. What if she stepped on a snake or something?