Lying Hearts - Kelli Callahan Page 0,2

as it came, it was gone, replaced with a smug smile. “You wish I cared about you like that. You already miss me, don’t you?”

“I couldn’t miss you less, Easton. That’s the truth. Tell them I’m not pregnant. Tell them we have never been together. Tell them!” I shoved his chest again, and he laughed, faking fear as he lifted his hands.

“Why would I lie about that? You practically threw yourself at me.”

My mouth fell open as I watched him turn around and head toward the gym with his friends, leaving me with tears running down my face. What was worse was that I knew I could never hate Easton.

And I hated myself for it.

“Back the fuck away!” a loud voice bellowed, and I recognize it anywhere. It was Ethan, the second oldest Moore brother. “Take my word for it assholes, my brother is full of shit and is as much of a virgin as any of you. He is a lying sack.” People started to disperse, but I was left in the middle of the hall, my arms wrapped around my stomach, and London and Oliver flanking my sides.

Ethan cupped my face and brushed away my tears. “Hey, you okay, Luna?”

I shook my head, doing my best not to break down and sob. I wanted to be stronger, but I had no idea how the guy I married under an oak tree could be so cruel to me. Ethan grabbed my backpack off the ground and wrapped his arm through the strap.

The rest of the brothers were always so nice to me. “Come on, let’s get you out of here. We can skip class and go get one of those milkshakes you love so much from Kathy’s.”

“No, I don’t want to run away,” I said. “I don’t want him to win.”

“He already has, Luna. Everyone believes him. I’m sorry my brother is an ass. You still have the rest of us Moore’s. I’ll be by your side,” he said. Over the years, while Easton and I were friends, I got close with the other brothers too, and they kind of became a second family. I loved them to pieces. I just hated that I loved Easton the most.

“You might get thrown under the rumor mill if you hang out with me.”

“I’m alright with that. We know the truth, Luna. That’s what matters.” Ethan wrapped his arm around my shoulder. “Come on, let's skip and have a good day. This place can suck it.”

I laughed from the crude language and wiped my face. “Okay, but can we go play putt-putt too?”

“Can we? I’m going to kick your butt in putt-putt,” Ethan grinned as he held the door open for me. The fresh air felt amazing against my red, wet cheeks. I took a deep breath and smiled. He was right. I needed this.

“We are coming too,” London said, dragging Oliver behind her as we made our way to Ethan’s truck.

As I climbed into Ethan’s truck, I saw Easton outside with his friends throwing the football. He watched, never taking his eyes off me, and for the first time, I was the one to rip my eyes away.

I was done with Easton Moore.

Forever and ever.

That oak could burn to the ground for all I cared.

Chapter One

Luna

Present day

After I graduated high school, I went to college in Boston, Massachusetts and ended up staying in the city after I graduated with my degree in business and design. I worked at a small boutique that made me realize I wanted to have my own store one day. Nothing changed much in the last seven years besides the fact that I was twenty-five now, and London and Oliver had to come visit me in Boston since I always refused to go home unless it was absolutely necessary.

Like now.

But this time, it wasn’t a visit. I had to move home because Dad got diagnosed with Leukemia, and Mom was pulling doubles at the hospital as a nurse. I couldn’t in good conscious stay in Boston when my family needed me.

As I packed up the one−bedroom apartment nestled in downtown Boston, dread crept in my veins about leaving this place. I loved it here. I loved the snow. I loved the culture, the city, the historical architecture of the buildings, and the food.

I loved the food.

There was this place called Faneuil Hall, and it had every single food from every culture you could think of. Knowing that I was leaving this staple to go to a small