Chapter 111 So when exactly did this become official?
Sophie's POV
I never thought I would end up having dinner with my fake boyfriend, my stepbrother who I am also sleeping with, and my mom.
It sounds insane. But here we are, all sitting at the same table in some fancy restaurant.
The waiter took our orders and left, and now we are stuck in this awkward silence. I would kill for a glass of wine right now, just to get through this. But I can not. Stupid drinking laws.
Liam looks dark and pissed. He barely said two words when the waiter asked what he wanted. Since then, he has just sat there quiet. But his eyes keep moving over Alex, and he is not even trying to hide how much he dislikes him.
Alex looks completely lost. I am honestly grateful he did not correct my mom when she called him my boyfriend. I feel terrible for dragging him into this mess.
My mom is the only person at this table actually having a good time.
"Is not this nice?" She looks at each of our miserable faces. "I always wanted to do a family dinner but could never find the right time. We should do this more often."
This is not a good time at all.
I want to scream that at her. Instead, I just grip my napkin tighter and force the words out. "Mom, that is enough."
She gives me this look and then turns back to Alex. "So, Alex. How long have you and Soph been together?"
"Mom." My voice goes louder. I am losing it.
"What? I am curious. You never tell me anything. Unless, Alex, you do not want me asking."
"Um, no, Mrs. Thorne, it is not that." Alex looks uncomfortable.
"Yeah, let us hear it."
Liam jumps in out of nowhere.
He throws his napkin on the table, leans back in his chair, and crosses his arms. His eyes lock onto us. "When did it start? Where did you meet? Come on, Sophie. Tell us. I am really interested."
That jerk.
I shoot him a look that should burn him alive. He ignores me completely.
Alex glances at me, clearly asking for help. My stomach twists and I start making things up on the spot. "We met at one of Liam's parties. We talked and realized we like a lot of the same things. We started seeing each other after that. That is basically it."
I rush through it, hoping this nightmare questioning will finally stop.
But Liam is not done yet.
His mouth curls up but his eyes stay cold. "How nice. But did you two not just meet?"
"Why does time matter when it comes to love?" I say it and immediately hate myself for it.
Something angry flashes in Liam's eyes. He leans forward, staring right at Alex.
"So when exactly did this become official?" he asks.
I start to answer. "We..."
"Why do you keep answering for him?" He cuts me off with this nasty tone.
"What the fuck is it to you?" I snap back.
My mom frowns and shushes me like I am five years old. "Sophie. Language."
Everything is falling apart. Me and Liam just glare at each other like we might actually start throwing punches any second.
Then Alex finally speaks.
"We just started dating a few days ago. After the ball. Sorry, I was nervous when you asked before because it has not been long."
That sounds reasonable. But my heart sinks.
Oh no. This is bad.
Liam sits up straighter, this sarcastic smile spreading across his face. "Really? But I was at the ball too. Did you not go with someone else? Your ex-girlfriend, if I remember right?"
Shit. I bite my lip, trying not to panic. Even my mom's face changes as she looks between us, confused.
"What is going on, Soph?" She frowns.
This is not working. And I am awful for letting Alex take the heat for this.
I breathe in deep, ready to just tell the truth. I will admit I lied about me and Alex. Then I will figure out some other excuse for what happened with Liam that night.
But right before I can speak, Alex cuts in.
"Actually, that reminds me." Alex looks right at Liam, his face serious now. "My ex Andria told me you called her. You asked her to fly back here. You said I did not have a date, but that was not true at all. Why did you do that, Liam?"
What?
My brain just stops. What did he just say?
Liam called Andria? How does he even know her? No, the real question is, why would he do that?
I whip my head toward Liam. He will not look at me, but his jaw is tight and his nose flares. His silence says everything.
I can not believe this.
He went this far just to stop me from going to the ball with Alex?
I am angry. But more than that, I am scared. A cold feeling runs through me.
Oh my god.
I breathe in sharp, my chest moving up and down fast. I am using everything I have not to lose it right here at this table.
"Excuse me. I need the restroom." My voice comes out hard. I stand up fast and walk away without looking back.
I move through the crowded restaurant quick, heading for the hallway by the bathrooms. My head is spinning with too many thoughts, too many feelings.
If that is true. If Alex is right. Then Liam is the most manipulative person I have ever met.
How could he do that?
I reach for the bathroom door handle and hear footsteps behind me. I turn around. It is Alex. He looks worried.
"Sophie." He comes closer. "Are you okay?"
"Yes. No." I sigh, exhausted. "God, I am so sorry. For dragging you into all of this. For you having to see that mess."
"No, it is fine, actually." He smiles a little. "I am kind of surprised, though. Do you want to explain how I suddenly became your boyfriend?"
My face gets hot with embarrassment.
"It was a mistake. My mom thinks I am seeing someone, and she gets really pushy about knowing everything in my life. So when she asked if we were dating, I just did not correct her. Sorry."
God, this is humiliating.
I hope he does not think I am some pathetic person who goes around pretending random guys are her boyfriends.
But then he laughs. Actually laughs. He steps closer, looking down at me.
"So, are you seeing anyone right now?" His voice is soft.
"No." I say it fast.
That is a lie. But he does not need to know.
Welcome to my new life, full of lies and shame.
"Good." He reaches out and takes my hand. Something bright shows in his eyes. "Because when your mom called me your boyfriend, I realized I really liked the sound of that."
My mouth falls open. I have no words.
Holy shit.