Page 20 of Lies You Told
“Yeah. Jacob will probably be around, and Mike may be too. But I don’t think they’re who you were thinking about.”
The waitress comes over, putting our food down in front of us. She leaves us to enjoy our meal and no chit-chat, which I find refreshing.
“It wasn’t,” I say, putting a fork full of pasta in my mouth.
“If you want to talk…”
“I know. I just don’t want to ruin our meal,” I whisper, concentrating on my food.
“Deal. Let me say, though. I’ve never seen Jax as devastated as he was last night. Even after shit went down with his stalker-bunny-boiler-whatever-you-want-to-call-her.”
“I wondered why he left L.A.,” I whisper.
A small knowing smile spreads over Kate’s face, and we don’t say another word until we’ve eaten our food.
I motion to the waitress to bring us another bottle. “I’m going to need more alcohol to have this conversation with you, Kate.”
She gets her phone out of her bag. She obviously wants to let Mike know she’s going to be here for a while.
“Shit! Have I just ruined your plans tonight?”
“Absolutely not!”
“Jaxson thought I slept with my Professor in college.”
Kate gives me her undivided attention. I can’t read anything on her face. She could think anything right now, and I’d be none the wiser.
“He was friends with my ex. When I told him our professor raped me, he didn’t believe me. He told all his friends I slept with our Professor. That lie followed me around for a couple of years. I was the stupid person, though, who never said anything. I mean, my own boyfriend didn’t believe me. How was I to think anyone else was going to?”
Kate reaches for my hand, squeezing it reassuringly, not saying a word.
“Jaxson kept the lie going, bringing it up as a cutting blow every time we got into it. We hated each other. We still do. But he also made me a better student. Our fighting to always be the best in class pushed me, well, both of us, if I’m being honest–to be the best in our class. I’m as driven as I am now because of Jaxson Hill. I guess I should thank him.”
“My friend's dad, Greyson Huntington, knew something was wrong. He’d known me since high school when I applied for the Huntington scholarship. Usually, they give it to someone who wants a career in the arts. Being the billion-dollar media company they are. But I guess I won him over. They sponsored two people that year. When Greyson found out what had happened with our Professor, he got the guy fired. I was able to enjoy my last year at Harvard without seeing the creep on a weekly basis.”
“Chloe, that must have been awful.” She squeezes my hand tighter this time. I needed that more than I thought I did.
“Jaxson found out last night the truth. Funny, I've not talked about him in years. Not since Greyson demanded to know what was up as he could see me spiraling, then I talk about him twice in less than twenty-four hours.” I take a big gulp of my wine.
13
JAX
I’m looking through my bookshelf, trying to find the book I need, when someone knocks on my door. Looking up, I see my assistant. Usually, she comes right in. I know I’ve been in a pissy mood for days now. My investigator sent me a report last night but said he was going to call today. I’m surprised he’s been able to get as much information as he has in a couple of days. I nod at her to enter.
“Mr. Hill, your two-o’clock appointment is here.”
“Thanks,” I say as I head toward the reception desk near the elevator on our floor. The two young women watch me as I pass. The blonde on the phone, I can feel eye-fucking-me from here. She’s wasting her energy. My body and, more importantly, mind seem to have a submissive brunette taking up too much space.
Greyson Huntington is standing with his back to me as he talks to the receptionist.
“Mr. Huntington,” I say to get his attention. Holding my hand out as he turns around. He shakes my hand firmly, just like I'd expected. “We’ll take this in my office.”
We get a few looks as he follows me to my office. Due to our recent legal case with Greyson, everyone in the office knows who he is. They also know I’m not his lawyer or, more importantly, who his lawyer is. “I don’t want any interruptions,” I say to my assistant as we walk past her. She nods understandingly. There’s only one person who would try to interrupt this meeting.
I frost the floor-to-ceiling windows, separating my office from the rest of the floor. I sit behind my desk. Greyson takes the seat in front. It shows he’s not used to being on this side of the desk. It gives me a feeling of power seeing him uncomfortable. Of course, nobody else would notice, but I’ve known this man too long. He’s always had the upper hand, but not now. He might have the information I need, but I’m certain he’s not going to bullshit me on this. I’m going to get the information I want of him, but first, I need to know why he’s here alone.
“I was surprised you wanted a meeting in my office. I don’t feel good taking a meeting without your lawyer here.” Everyone knows Chloe has been his lawyer since she graduated from Harvard. Lawyers are the worst gossipers in the world. It must be something to do with all the secrets we have to keep about our clients, that when it's stuff that can be broadcast, we broadcast it loud and far. She was a big get for the firm she ended up working for. Chloe Lawson is still a name people talk about at Harvard. She’s the crown jewel for them–not that she participates in any alumni.
