Chapter 21

The Lies Between Us

21 - Anywhere

They say that if you want to get over someone, the fastest way is to replace them with someone else. In Lisie's case, she was thinking a lot about what Tait said the last time she saw him. So the thing about moving on gives her mixed feelings especially now that while another guy was showing interest, there's this one thought that was nagging on the back of her mind – it's the question – does she even want to move on?

"Here," Hayes gave her a bottle of energy drink. They were both hanging out at a dance studio where Lisie mostly goes out to sweat. When she found out she and Hayes have common interests, she felt like she found a soulmate in him.

"You want to go for another one or we good to go?" Hayes asked catching his breath. He looked and smelled so fresh even with sweat covering his face.

She smiled at him thinking about their friendly competition while dancing earlier. Being with Hayes was easy. It's like with him, she doesn't need to be wary about someone making up rumors about her.

She could be weird and normal around him without the need to be conscious about it.

"I want another go." Lisie stood up from the wooden floors. Her shoes made a squeaky sound while she's at it.

She saw Hayes shaking his head in amusement. She could tell he has a competitive spirit. Well, she has to give it to him since he knows he's good at dancing. It was just unfortunate that he couldn't be better while she's in the room with him.

"You don't really like losing, don't you?" He asked stretching out his arms above his head.

"Me? Losing?" Lisie smirked. "You might want to think about that."

It's just with Hayes, things weren't complicated. But even though it's like that, why does her mind goes back to that night?

"I'm falling in love with you."

And if Hayes was that perfect then why does at the end of the day, her thoughts helplessly run back to him?

Lisie looked at her old phone later that evening deleting the messages Tait sent.

...............................

"Thank you so much for agreeing with this."

Lisie hugged Jane back after a successful photo shoot. They were at the Kennedy's ranch hanging out at Jane's luxurious kitchen inside their converted barn house.

"Damn, I know this will sound weird but the bathroom looks perfection!" Soo declared cheerfully coming out from where the bathroom is.

Lisie ignored her manager. "I don't think I can say no to you." She confessed to Jane.

"I know, that's why we're making cupcakes in my kitchen!" Jane giggles in excitement.

"Yum! What are we making today?"Soo intercepted again. "Lisie and I had perfected some red velvet ones before, right Lis?"

Lisie rolled her eyes at her making Soo laugh. Her best friend knew she was acting a bit bitchy for holding out the fact that she's dating. And when she found out it wasn't just some guy but Tait Kingston's manager, she felt like she could throw a fit.

"I hate getting the cold treatment." Soo bit her lip acting hurt. She knew Lisie would eventually forgive her. Sometimes, all it takes is a drink or baking sessions.

"Is this because of Nash?" Jane's eyes surveyed the two. When they both remained silent, Jane confirmed it was true.

"Ugh, I get why Lis is like this. I hate that guy's taste in clothes too." Jane comforted Lis by giving her shoulders a squeeze.

But instead of being comforted, Lisie thought it was funny.

"That's mean!" Lisie remarked but she's laughing.

"I know this is where I come in and take my boyfriend's side but...chicks before dicks," Soo wrapped an arm around Lisie.

Jane nodded quickly agreeing with Soo.

"Can we now continue with the baking?" Lisie sighed.

.........................................

Being with girl friends was a surefire way to forget that in the coming days, it will be packed. Lisie had talked with Soo early on about her solution to the costar dilemma. She tried to sound convincing that she can handle Tait like a pro with just the two of them but Soo knew better.

Her best friend suggested that Saint would never leave her side while she's with Tait but she kind of wanted to give the guy a break since he's always busy with organizing her schedules and his studies with his masters.

"You think you'll be fine with him alone while the paparazzi are stalking you?" Soo challenged.

"I mean, we wouldn't be alone for long, it'll be over when those mofos leave." Lisie fired back.

"Lisie..."Soo paused about to do a reality check. "The paparazzi won't just leave you two. If they can, they'd tail you for a year!"

"You're overreacting."

"Believe me, I know what I'm doing. If you think it'll be easy to escape them like those papz who follow you when you were just a full time model then, no. It's way different now. So don't be stubborn...unless..."

"Unless what?"

"You're purposely trying to get him alone," Soo raised an eyebrow smirking. This is how she wins arguments.

"Tch. Saint can come then." Lisie agreed just to prove a point.

...................................

Lisie was cleaning up the counter table of the little mess they made while baking when Jane came back from the living room. Some models stayed to chill and they were now in the fire place enjoying the cupcakes.

"Hey, um, you didn't need to do that." Jane started.

"It's fine. I'm used to chores, don't worry about it." Lisie assured her.

Jane nodded. She's actually been wanting to talk to Lisie alone ever since the shoot ended so now, she thought it was about time.

"Look, I know this thing between you and my brother wasn't like any other 'situationship.' He's not saying anything about what happened but believe me when I say he's been...you know..."

Emo – that's the word Jane was trying to say.

Lisie looked at Jane waiting for her to continue. She felt her heart beat sped up talking about Tait. It's always the case when it's about him.

"I don't want to say stuff that would make you feel sad for him so...I'd just want to clear the wall between us...and also clear his name a bit. I don't have any idea as to what went wrong between you two but the rumors about him..."Jane shook her head. "Don't take 'em too far. If it's about Yana, as far as I know, they haven't been in touch since they broke up. Well, if he did, he probably ended things for closure."

Lisie managed a little smile. "I appreciate your concern. But I think you should know that whatever has happened between your brother and me won't affect our relationship." Lisie was also relieved to find out Tait hasn't even told his sister about it. He sure did kept his promise.

Jane smiled gently, a bit hesitant to force a conversation. She noted how Lisie did change after the movie production ended. Sure she felt distant and cold before but her intimidating prowess went a tad bit higher.

"I hope you don't mind if I ask, are you okay now?"

"I'm trying to be," Lisie replied honestly.

Jane nodded. She reached out a hand to her and Lisie gladly took it.

When both of them joined Soo in the living room, two of the remaining female models stood up from the couch when they took sight of who's to come inside.

"Shit, isn't that Tait Kingston?" One model from the same agency as Lisie, who was an avid K Knight supporter, shouted from the huge windows.

Instead of looking at the door, both Jane and Soo's eyes shifted to Lisie.

"I promise, I did not plan this. I lie a lot but this ain't one of them." Jane fired out in a low voice.

Lisie sighed trying to sound fine. "It's cool, why are you so worried?"

"Yeah Jane, I'm the one who should be worried." Soo placed her plate soundly at the corner table, standing up when she saw who's coming in with Tait.

Jane stood up next, pulling her Chanel sweater down. "Um, I don't know how to explain this to you guys but Tait Kingston is my brother." Jane bit her lip when the attention drifted towards her.

"Er, we kind of know that already Jane." Short-haired model spoke. "Tait has revealed about your relationship with him in the latest issue of People."

"Oh?" Jane pouted innocently. "I guess this is no big deal then." She slumped back to her seat giggling at Lisie.

"I didn't know you were having guests today, sis." It was Tait. He was carrying a navy jacket and an air gun along with him making the girls in the room swoon at just his mere sight.

His eyes found hers and Lis was the one to withdraw first.

Instead, Lisie focused her attention to the couple who was seemingly having a lover's quarrel outside.

"I thought you were going to hang out with your boys today." Jane shrugged.

"I brought Nash with me while hunting." He responded making a point. Some girls were waving to him but he greeted only one.

"Hey Lily."

Jane's eyes widened in surprise at how smooth her brother operates.

"Hello Tay." Lisie grinned sideways pushing back the memory that flashes whenever he calls her that. In other days, she would have just ignored him but since there were other people around she has to play a part.

Tait smirked. "I'll see you guys." He nodded climbing his way upstairs.

Soo and Nash followed next, coming through the door.

"Where's Tait?" Nash asked Jane ignoring the others but smiling at Lisie just to acknowledge her presence.

Jane gestured her hands up. Nash followed the direction that Tait took while his girl friend was deciding to go home.

"We could leave now Lisie. We don't have anymore business here anyway." Soo voiced out turning to Jane for back up.

"Er...of course. I guess I'll see you guys soon?" Jane hoped.

"Suzane Kim, don't go anywhere yet." Nash called from the stairs.

"What else do you need?" Soo rolled her eyes dropping her bum to one of the couches.

"I need more time with you." Nash's eyes were barely visible smiling lovingly at Soo.

Soo bit her lip as she looks pleadingly at Lisie.

"Yes we can stay." Lisie shook her head excusing herself from the living room. She went straight to the bathroom to give herself some pep talk.

.............................

The supposedly afternoon tea with vanilla and blueberry cupcakes stretched to a moonlit dinner with hot dogs and marshmallows around a fire pit in the Kennedy's million dollar barn house.

Since Soo had convinced Lisie to stay, Jane had a reason to use the new fire pit. She thought that it'd be the perfect time to have dinner with the latest addition to the house. So she asked the help of some housekeepers to prepare the food and drinks.

Lisie had been keeping herself busy lounging by the fire pit and taking pictures of it. She was truly relieved to find no sign of Tait around ever since he arrived with Soo's boyfriend.

"Hello, mind if I sit here?" A guy with golden brown hair sat beside her. She managed to smile a little for a friendly gesture. The guy was her partner earlier while she was shooting pictures for the brand campaign of Jane's company. He was a little flirty alright but Lisie thought it was harmless since most of the male models in the industry flirts a lot.

His western looks are so sharp that for normal girls his face could give them a heart attack.

"My name's Lucky...we were introduced earlier..."

Lisie smirked at the way he re-introduced himself. "Yes, I remember." She chuckled drinking a bit from her soda bottle.

"Not to sound like a creep but..." Lucky started pushing his sleeves to his elbows. "I follow you on twitter and I thought you're really more beautiful up close in person than in photos."

Lisie took a deep breath when his words made her look back at that night when her stalker caught up to her. She knew he's already in jail but it left a bad dent to her memory. This guy's probably decent but it didn't give her the satisfaction that she's safe. She feels like he could always easily drag her out of there so she slid her seat a foot away from him.

Lucky seems to have noticed. "Um, don't take it personally. I'm just a fan I swear." He reached out to her, his arms going around her shoulders.

Lisie felt her heart beat quicken in anxiety. It's bad to let her trauma kick in but still, she has to get a hold of herself. Her therapist had warned her against people who can cause the triggers and it only made her worry more about the people she will meet in the comings days promoting the film.

"Um...Lucky, it was really nice meeting you." She gulped slowly taking in breaths to keep her from shaking.

"Are you alright?" He asked concerned.

"Yeah," She nodded almost breathless. "It's just, I'm bad at colds." She grinned, smiling like a dog. It only made Lucky confused because despite the cold, they were all pretty warmed up from the fire's heat. "I'll leave now."

"Can you please follow me back on Twitter?" He called out.

Lisie pretended she didn't hear that and hurriedly went up to the front porch bumping into someone along the way.

She gasped when said someone held both her arms steadying her to keep from stumbling.

She only relaxed when she found she was staring at Tait Kingston's mysterious eyes.

"Woah. What's up? Are you okay?" Tait asked his face laced with worry. Lisie nodded turning her head slightly to Lucky's direction.

Tait saw that and he assumed the worst. The guy who was sitting by the fire pit shifted his gaze away from them when Tait glared at him.

"Did that guy do something to you?" There was an edge to his voice.

Lisie took another deep breath before answering. "I'm fine. Lucky was just asking me to follow back." She scoffed, smiling without humor.

Lisie saw that Tait was still eyeing the guy who was now talking to other models. She then sees something clanking in his hands.

"Were you going somewhere?" She pried noticing the keys that are now dangling in his forefinger. Her question managed to take his attention away from Lucky.

Tait only nodded. "Jane wasn't aware I was staying for long. And I really don't like the noise so I figured I should just drive somewhere." 

"Where to?"

Tait shrugged.

Lisie wasn't so sure why she's out here having small talk with the guy who recklessly broke her heart. But the more she talks to him the more at ease she got. Maybe it's because he's already familiar to her and she knows that even though he's a jerk, he's not a bad person.

"Anywhere." He stared at her for seconds before scratching the back of his neck. "Um, do you...want to go?"

Lisie's mouth hanged open not knowing what to say.

"We could ask Soo..." He added to convince her.

"No," Lisie bit her lip. Seeing how Soo looked comfy in the arms of her boyfriend from the huge windows, she'd rather not interrupt.

"Oh, um okay."

Lisie's brows furrowed when Tait's face fell down. She almost let out a chuckle thinking that he got disappointed when she said no about coming with him. "I mean, I'll go with you. I'll just text Soo."

Lisie cleared her throat stopping at the last step when she noticed Tait wasn't following. When she looked up at him at the front porch, his face looked like he was in shock.

"Tait, are we going or not?" She asked acting impatient.

"Calm down, geesh." Tait chuckled lowly finally stepping down to meet her. When they walk past the people in the fire pit, Lisie saw Tait's eyes piercing Lucky.

"Will you please stop that?" Lisie sighed pacing faster than him.

"Stop what?" He played dumb matching her pace. Lisie only rolled her eyes at him making him laugh.

.....................

Lisie glanced at Tait who was going 90 in his Cadillac XT5. Normally, sitting in a fast car terrifies her but with someone like him who was known for joining elite races, Lisie felt safe.

She crossed her arms caressing them when she felt the chills. The heater didn't seem to help. The weather wasn't below zero yet but they were driving in a wet climate so the coldness seems to double.

Tait noticed this and his long arms reached his crumpled jacket on the passenger seat behind them.

"Thanks," She smiled feeling the warmth of it putting the jacket on her body like a blanket.

Lisie was glad he didn't force having a conversation while they were inside the car. They talked a bit about her modeling career and his day going bird hunting with Nash.

While they were talking about the easiest topics, Lisie thought that this would be the first time she'll be with him without worrying about time.

Before, when they were filming Princetown, she thought her time with Tait would always base on their schedules. So it feels different now when they're together in a car like time could never stop.

After almost an hour of drive, Tait pulled the car over by the sea. He parked the vehicle under a bright lamp post.

When her shoes reached the sandy pavement, her smile automatically turned up. Because when was the last time she visited the beach without getting recognized? She couldn't remember when.

The place was perfect and private. No one was around but the seagulls which were happily flying in and out the waters.

She didn't care what he'd think of her and she just took off running towards the birds to scare them away. She giggles when they chirped in unison like they were all cursing her for ruining their evening.

She felt really at peace that despite the cold she slipped out her boots and socks and ran to the water.

"Aaaack!" She squealed when the water touches her toes.

She spent a good five minutes or so playing with the water when she finally turns around to find Tait sitting on the sand watching her in contentment.

She let herself fall down sitting beside him, still giggling. "This is awesome."

"You're welcome." He responded letting his legs sprawl on the sands.

Lisie didn't flinch when his foot accidentally bumped into hers.

"What have you been up to for last three months?" Tait asked when Lisie started playing with the sand.

"Mm...well I know for sure you've read what's on social media for the past three months." She muttered in a small voice.

Tait made a face. "Let's say for argument's sake that I do not have social media. Would you tell me yourself?" He insisted, his eyes watching the waves of the ocean.

Lisie bit her lip drawing circles on the sand. "I've been...going to clubs." She admitted. "But it was just to let the stress out. I didn't expect fame would eat me up like that."

Tait nodded. "Hate to be the one telling this to you but you got to learn how to put up with that. Fame, I mean."

Lisie turned to him watching him watch the sea.

The moonlight shone on his profile like he's not from this world.

She almost forgot how ethereal Tait is up close.

"Was it true? The drugs?" Lisie hesitated then she continued. "The accusations from your costars."

She saw him smirk. Tait knew what she was talking about. It was; if it's true she sleeps with his costars. She didn't really know him all too well but she thought she couldn't care less when she already admitted to him in the past she loves him.

Now she's asking herself if what she felt for him was really love. Or was it just infatuation.

But looking back, if it wasn't really love, then why did it hurt so much?

"You know that's the thing with fame. People make up stories to sell not caring about how it affects us just for entertainment. Just so they can make money coming from our own spotlight." Tait chuckled without humor. "I wouldn't blame you if you'd believe those rumors. You're probably already concluded something about me inside your head."

Lisie shook her head. "Have you concluded your judgments about me in your head, then?"

Tait met her eyes, his face showed no emotions.

Then his genuine boyish smile crossed his face. "You'll always be that clueless model who ran away seeing me at Irene's party."

"Really? You'd go for that?" Lisie hissed raising a brow making Tait laugh even more.

"Yeah." He replied honestly.

"Well you're nothing but a handsome nosy actor."

"Excuse me? When was I ever nosy?" Tait wanted to scowl at her but then she told him he was handsome.

"First time we met. At the pastry shop."

Lisie saw him furrow his brows thinking about that time. "I wasn't nosy then. I just...laughed..."

"Fine." Tait sighed giving up when Lisie kept giving him an accusing stare. "But I was just curious then. It's like eating a pie is such a problem to you."

"In case you're forgetting, I'm a model." She hugged her knees burying her feet to the sand feeling sleepy because of the sound of the waves.

Lisie felt his eyes survey her when he didn't say anything. She bit her cheek to keep from saying anything that might ruin the moment. She wished she could read his mind because she has a feeling that he wanted to say something but he kept quiet instead.

A few minutes of comfortable silence passed without anyone of them attempting to say or do something.

"Lily..." Tait finally broke the ice. "I meant what I said to you that night."

The drumming of her heart reached her ears at the words that came from him.

"I honestly don't know how I can control my feelings around you especially knowing that we'll always see each other in the next days." He sighed. "But I'd completely understand you if you'd want your space. I know this is asking for too much, but I want you to trust me."

Lisie kept silent not knowing what to say.

"It's really up to you." He laughed hiding his uneasiness before clearing his throat. "What I did caused you trouble."

She bit her lip not wanting to cry. She couldn't give him any answer now that there's a lot of pressure coming to her from different sides of life she's afraid it'll be too overwhelming for her.

"If you think I don't deserve you and you can't give me another chance then I'd totally respect that." His voice broke at the end of his sentence.

"But should you change your mind, and you still want to keep me...even as a friend..."

Lisie turned to him her face reflected in his gleaming eyes.

"I'll stay."

To Be Continued....

A/N

Thank you guys for the questions you posted in the last chapter. I'll try to include all of them in the next chap ;)