Save Me

Chapter 20

Not surprisingly, I thought about Jared all day.

Every moment we shared from the start. All the extra effort he put into making things special for Kenzie to the first time he came to our room after the show. All the flirting to the mind blowing sex we had only to have the disappointment I felt after reading the groupie stories come crashing in. All of it finally culminating to our conversation this morning and his suggestion of dinner tonight.

It was a mind fuck.

The girls didn't help since from the second the 'hellos' were exchanged with Ben they were rehashing every detail literally minute by minute of our entire weekend adventure. I did a lot of nodding and added a little comment here and there but that was the extent of my participation in the conversation. I couldn't stay focused on the present if my life depended on it.

"Wow, that sounds so cool guys!" Ben told them, "I wish I was there."

"Yeah, Shannon's backstage tour was the best!" Lily giggled as she reached for another slice of pizza.

Every special thing, no matter how tiny, Jared, Shannon, Tomo and Emma did for us was mentioned and I have to admit, there was a lot.

"I think Jared really liked Auntie Vivie." Paige laughed, "He came over this morning to say hi."

Ben's eyes widened, "He did, huh.."

"Yeah, that was the second time too." Lily commented with her mouth full, "He came over for pizza."

I could feel my cheeks blush immediately, "No, no, stop." I said, rolling my eyes, "Don't make things up now."

"He did!" Lily exclaimed.

"Okay, he did but not for me." I said, waving her comment off.

Turning to me, "I think I wanna hear more about that." Ben said, raising his eyebrows.

Taking a sip of my water I told him, "There's nothing to tell."

My brother, knowing me better than anyone, could see something was on my mind but kept his questions to him self for now. He'd never ask in front of the girls but I knew it was coming if an opportunity presented itself.

Leaning in so the girls couldn't hear he whispered, "You're a terrible liar, Vivie."

That was the second time today I was told I was a bad liar. I mean, neither were wrong but still.

"I have to go potty, Daddy." Lily told Ben, "Can you take me?"

Ben smiled, "Thanks Kenz."

"Come on Paige, you come too."

Kenzie could be such a mother hen, it was sweet especially since there were moments Lily drove her nuts.

As soon as the girls were far enough away to not hear, Ben asked, "Okay, what's going on with you, Vivie?"

I wanted to blow him off but being the shitty liar I apparently am, I knew it would be of no use. He'd hound me like he did when we were kids until I broke. I held my breath and was about to spill when I changed my mind.

"Nothing really, we had a great time but I'm exhausted...that's all." I said as I looked him in the eyes and smiled.

In that moment, I wasn't sure how honest I should be especially since the look on his face told me he knew there was something I was holding back.

"I'm not sure I believe you." he said then clarified, "I'm sure you're tired but that ain't all there is to the story."

I looked away, shaking my head.