The Truth, page 1
The Truth
Lauren Landish
Edited by
Valorie Clifton
Edited by
Staci Etheridge
Copyright © 2021 by Lauren Landish
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Created with Vellum
Contents
Also by Lauren Landish
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Epilogue
Excerpt: The Dare
About the Author
Also by Lauren Landish
Big Fat Fake Series:
My Big Fat Fake Wedding || My Big Fat Fake Engagement || My Big Fat Fake Honeymoon
Standalones:
One Day Fiance || Drop Dead Gorgeous || The Dare || The Blind Date
Bennett Boys Ranch:
Buck Wild || Riding Hard || Racing Hearts
The Tannen Boys:
Rough Love || Rough Edge || Rough Country
Dirty Fairy Tales:
Beauty and the Billionaire || Not So Prince Charming || Happily Never After
Get Dirty:
Dirty Talk || Dirty Laundry || Dirty Deeds || Dirty Secrets
Chapter 1
Tiffany
For a long time, I thought my brother, Ace Young, was going to be one of ‘those guys’. You know the type, a member of the man-child species whose best days were in high school, when they strode the hallways as the Alpha-male stud with a cheerleader on their arm. But once they realize that the entire world doesn’t really care about their middling ability to do something with a ball, and that a smirk and a shrug won’t get them out of trouble, they seem unable to step up their game. They stay lost in that early peak, living in a dismal cycle of ‘remember when’ stories.
Ace was definitely on that track, but then he found a woman who promised a future he had only dreamed of, and he grew up fast. For her, for that imagined future. As a reward, she snatched it all away in a blaze of betrayal, crushing Ace’s heart and stomping him into a muddy pool of depression. I refuse to utter her name, even in my mind, still furious over what she put my brother through.
In those dark days, he discovered the weak sauce comfort of beer as a replacement for the future he’d so desperately wanted and regressed into an immature slacker, drowning his sadness in froth. He took up residency on my couch, playing video games all night and sleeping all day. I put up with his bullshit for a bit, probably too long, to be honest, thinking I could love him out of the pit he was in.
But he had to do it for himself, and something a few years ago seemed to pierce Ace’s hops- and grain-fueled fog, and he started pulling out. He got up off the couch and started working with dogs. I don’t know if that was by design, but Ace has always loved dogs. So he started walking and grooming them.
It was magic. The exercise helped him physically, melting off the beer weight as he slowly progressed from letting the pups drag him around on their walks to actually jogging along with them.
The biggest changes were in Ace’s mind, though. Whether it was animal therapy and the silly love that dogs always seem to be able to give humans or the fact that he could see the product of his efforts and take pride in the cash in his pocket, Ace’s mental state improved too.
The keystone to all of this, though? Harper Jensen. A few years ago, if a girl like Harper had even agreed to a date with my brother, I would have wondered what on earth she saw in him. She was definitely out of Ace’s league. She’s cute as a button, sweet as spun sugar, and kind as can be. And her heart is ridiculously oversized for her tiny body, so she sees the best in everyone, even my brother. She’s made Ace believe not only in love again, but in himself.
And now as we gather for dinner, with Harper and Ace holding hands and smiling blissfully, I’m full of joy for my brother.
All in all, Ace has really turned his life around, and I’m proud of him. He went to hell and fought his way through demons that sliced and diced his heart, leaving him a shell of a man. But he’s come back from that dark place, clawing and scrabbling for every bit of happiness and success he’s achieved. And he’s not merely doing well. He’s absolutely thriving.
He’s cleaned up, both literally and figuratively. The carpet is freshly vacuumed, there are fluffy pillows on the couch, and the table is set with matching plates. Honestly, it looks better than it did when it was my place, though a fair amount of that is Harper’s touch. She’s definitely a domestic goddess, and while she’s willing to do some sprucing up, I think this time, it’s all Ace.
And while I personally don’t find his casual manbun all that attractive, Harper loves it. I will admit it highlights the sharp lines of his jaw below his now leaned-out face and his bright and clear eyes.
I wasn’t sure I was ever going to see this version of my brother again, and there were times when I’d considered shooting him and burying his body in the woods just outside our town. It would’ve been a mercy killing to put him out of his misery. But now, here he sits, proof that we Youngs are tougher than cockroaches and more stubborn than any ornery mule.
And mostly, proof of my absolute fabulousness as a sister. Or at least that’s what I’ll claim if anyone asks. I mean, not many sisters would hold you together when you fall apart, offer to off your ex, forcibly kick your ass into gear, and then celebrate your wins like you did it all on your own like a big boy.
But I did. For my brother, because I’m the best sister evah, and I’ll be expecting my crown, sash, and bouquet as soon as possible.
Okay, that’s not true. I’m not expecting prizes. This dinner with Ace and Harper is enough of a reward.
Especially considering just how delicious the roasted eggplant moussaka that Harper made is. I swipe up the last bite as Harper gets up to take the dishes to the kitchen. I try to help, but she waves me off.
“I’ve got it. I’m sure you two have sibling stuff to talk about,” she says with a kind smile. “Besides, I’m particular on how I scrub my new casserole dish.”
“New casserole dish?” I ask. “I don’t think I own a casserole dish, period, much less have a new one as compared to an old one.”
Harper looks to Ace with doe eyes. “Ace bought it for me. It’s turquoise with sweet little yellow flowers. You can borrow it if you’d like.”
That’s Harper. She’s picky about caring for her things, but if you need it, she’ll readily hand it over.
“Thanks, but I think I’ll pass. I wouldn’t want to burn anything in it or wash it wrong. And I don’t have any urgent casserole recipes right now.”
She laughs like that was a joke as she walks toward the kitchen, and I’d bet that she has a whole Pinterest board of casserole recipes, especially now that she has a new and pretty dish.
Ace’s gaze follows Harper, a wide smile on his lips as he watches her carefully clean up. He’s not merely smitten, he’s full-blown addicted to Harper and treats her like a queen.
Which is good. She deserves it, especially as she treats him like a king as well.
Seeing them both distracted, I take the opportunity to slip a small crust of bread to Kevin, Ace’s dog, who’s been hiding under the table in hopes of snatching any dropped crumbs.
With his long ears that drag the floor, droopy face, and overbite, Kevin is the ugliest dog I’ve ever seen. He perpetually looks like someone stole his favorite squeaky toy and he’s on the verge of dissolving into tears, so we’ve taken to affectionately and accurately calling him a goblin.
From the first moment he came to Ace’s doorstep, the abandoned runt of a litter, he’s been Ace’s baby boy. The only area where Ace is able to resist spoiling the dog is in table scraps. But that seems to be my job as his kind-hearted aunt and sucker du jour, because he knows exactly how to wheedle me for snacks. Like now, when he whines for another piece of bread, effectively tattling on me.
Ace gives me a look. “I should make you take him out for his next walk if you’re going to do that. Do you know what olive oil does to him?”
“Make his coat shiny and handsome?” I quip, and Ace rolls his eyes. “What? It’s true.”
“And give him the squats,” Ace adds. “Besides, we don’t feed him from the table in general. It’s bad manners.”
“Bad manners?” I ask, laughing and then holding my hands up, palms toward Ace. “Whoa, look out, we got ourselves a badass over here, folks!”
“Tiffany.”
I giggle. He’s just so indignant. “Ace, have you met yourself? You literally farted on my couch so many times, and with the vilest Taco Bell fumes, that I had to burn it. The resulting mushroom cloud of noxiousness made the local news channel think we were under attack. They almost called in the National Guard.”
Ace growls. “You did not burn the damn couch. The fucking thing’s right there.”
He gestures toward the couch in question with a glare, both at the reminder of his dark days and probably at the I’m-not-exaggerating ghosts of Taco Bell. Proof? Simple. He didn’t argue about the fumes, only the burning.
“That was you before, babe!” Harper calls from the kitchen. “It made you the man you are today.”
I swear she would forgive a murderer once he’d done his time, naively trusting that they’d reformed into a saint. Ace can still murder more than a few tacos and burritos, though, and I hope he’s discovered that some Beano can work wonders on the resulting stink.
Not wanting to put Ace through the stench I went through, I tell myself to ignore Kevin’s begging. “Well, I would’ve put that old couch in the trash if I could’ve carried it to the curb,” I concede. “I guess if you don’t smell it, that’s all that matters. But can I offer a suggestion?” I continue without pausing, assuming he wants the wisdom my status as an older sister provides, “Do not put Harper ass-up and face-down on that thing. She’d suffocate in old methane death bombs.”
“Eloquent.”
I choose to misunderstand his sarcastic compliment and give a bow that’s unfortunately restricted by the table. “Thank you. I do my best.”
I go back to sipping the last of my wine, prepping for the next round of light banter and sibling shots, but Ace suddenly seems nervous. He lowers his voice so Harper can’t hear as he asks, “Are you sure you don’t mind covering for me this weekend? It’s a big ask, I know.”
“Well, if you really want to trust your successful and somewhat bougie doggie daycare business, with a long list of clients who schedule time for their pampered pooches to come play, to my hands, who am I to disagree?” I ask, feigning concern for my own abilities. Honestly, I am a little nervous. I don’t usually spend a lot of time with dogs, besides Kevin, and I don’t want to fuck this up for Ace. But then again, the only way I’d fuck up is by over spoiling the dogs.
He presses his lips together, seeming on the verge of changing his mind, and I rush to reassure him.
“Ace, you’re going out of town for two days, and I only have to cover Saturday for like seven hours. I think I’ll manage. It’s not like you’re leaving me with children to be responsible for.”
Ace looks stricken. “These are children! Of the four-legged variety, but to their owners, these are their babies.”
I lift a wry brow, glancing down at Kevin who is treated like a baby in Ace’s hands. “I know, Ace. We’ve covered this. If I can handle you, supervise the staff at my job—hell, considering I’ve managed to keep Elle out of jail her entire life—I think I can manage a few hours of cuddles and playing fetch.”
We both know the biggie of those accomplishments is keeping my BFF, Elle, safe and sound. She was always a bit of a wild child, though I admit I was a big reason for that. We played at daring each other to do crazy things for years and mostly managed to avoid trouble. Of the legal variety, at least.
She’s settled down quite a bit now that she’s married and a mother. And living in London, on the other side of the world from me.
I miss her, of course, but one advantage of her lifestyle now is that she’s able to fly ‘home’ at least three or four times a year, and we always have at least one girls’ day reserved for her visits. Plus, we Zoom frequently.
Ace seems placated, but I’m sure he’ll have a list of doggie clients, their human parents, and their favorite toys and treats prepared for me. I don’t blame him. I’d do the same thing if he were showing up at my job. I guess the detail-oriented, control freak, hard-ass gene runs through both of us.
I smile, knowing I’ve reassured him for now. I want him to be able to enjoy himself. He and Harper both deserve it. “I think the real question is, are you ready for this weekend?”
Ace’s head whips around so fast, I’m afraid he’ll end up in a neck brace. But he doesn’t seem to feel any pain when his eyes land on Harper, who’s humming to herself as she does the dishes. He smiles dreamily, his voice dropping. “Yeah, I’m ready.”
I gawk, trying my best to not spoil things for him. Publicly, it’s just a weekend away for the two of them. A rare event, to be sure, but I didn’t realize that the true reason is a surprise. “She doesn’t know, does she?” I whisper, my eyes wide.
He shakes his head. “I only told you because I needed someone to hold down the fort. She has no idea, and I want to keep it that way.” He pinches my lips together to keep me from saying anything else that might tip Harper off.
Elle will always be my best friend, no matter how many miles or time zones separate us. But I like Harper a lot and enjoy spending time with her. Mostly, I love the way she makes my brother so happy, especially after She-Who-Will-Not-Be-Named nearly destroyed him. I can’t wait for Harper to be his bride and my sister-in-law.
“Have you talked to Mom and Dad?”
Ace nods. “Yeah, Harper’s too. They all gave their blessing, and Harper’s mom is super excited. I just hope she can keep quiet for a few more days.”
I don’t know Harper’s parents, but our parents are not easily won over. They are hard-working people who’ve earned everything they’ve ever received, and though their hearts are big and filled with kindness, they’re protective of Ace and me.
But anyone can see that Harper is perfect for Ace, so I’m not surprised they’re on board with Ace’s plan.
“Look, you know how I feel. I’m so happy for you,” I tell him earnestly. “As for Harper, I guess if she’s decided you’re good enough, I’ll support her idiocy,” I tease with a sad shake of my head.
Maybe some siblings would have a rivalry or an expectation that the older sibling would get married first. But that’s never been the way Ace and I have operated. We help each other and support each other to the point of calling each other on our shit when the situation warrants it.
And let’s be real, I don’t have any real prospects, so walking down the aisle is not something I’ll be doing any time soon.
Under the table, as if he can sense my thoughts, Kevin licks my leg, and I look down at him. “Aw, thanks, mush face. I love you too, but human-dog marriages aren’t allowed,” I tell him in a sweet, high-pitched, baby-talk voice. “At least not in this state.”
Ace grabs his dog, covering his long, floppy ears. “That’s disgusting, Tiff. He’s your dog-nephew.”
I roll my eyes and huff. “I wasn’t serious, asshole.”
“Are you dating anyone?” Ace asks hesitantly, letting go of his hold on Kevin’s ears to scratch under his whiskered chin.
“No. I’ve been busy, and I haven’t found anyone who meets my requirements.” I check off invisible items on an imaginary list in the air. “Tall, check. Handsome, check. Established, check. Intelligent, check. Eight-inch-plus dick that’ll go all night, check.”
“You forgot bank account balance, corporate position, and most importantly, his name,” Ace whispers knowingly. “Because we both know who you’re talking about. The oh, so sexy He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named.”
Yeah, I’ve got one of those no-name people too, but it’s for an entirely different reason.
I glare at Ace because he’s gone too far. He damn well knows that there is only one man on my to-do list, and he is unattainable in a myriad of ways we won’t even begin to discuss.
