Crown of Lies

Jumping in before Penn could, I said, “Happy to meet you, too. I’ve heard your name in passing.” A small part of me wanted to hurt Penn; to ruin whatever tales he’d told this man about me. “I must clarify a few things upfront. I’m not engaged to Penn and have no intention of ever doing so.”

Larry chuckled. “Oh, I know you’re not engaged.”

I took a step back. “Ah, well, I’m glad. I wasn’t aware what rendition of lies Penn had told you.”

Penn had the decency to flinch. “I might not have ethics as pure as you, but I don’t lie to Larry. Ever.”

They shared a look that weighed with countless years, trials, and confidentiality.

The intimacy made me uncomfortable. Not because they were lovers, like I’d thought, but because they were father and son in every sense of the word. It didn’t matter they had different last names and most likely blood—family was created not born.

My eyes fell to the boy still hankering after his remote control airplane. His hair tousled in the wind, his eyes bright and happy.

Stewie was part of that family. Soon—according to Penn—he’d be legally part of it if it were true about an adoption. But that didn’t help unscramble my other questions. If Penn was adopting Stewie, did that mean he knew Stewie's mother and felt obligated? Perhaps, Larry was the one adopting and not Penn? Would that make Stewie his brother?

What titles did each have in this weird family dynamic? My head hurt trying to figure it out.

Stewie tucked the controller under his arm, reaching for the airplane in Larry’s hold. “If you guys are gonna stand around talking, I’m gonna fly Bumble Bee.” In typical boy fashion, he hadn’t acknowledged me or noticed the heavy tension between the adults.

I took a deep breath, ignoring the men and focusing on the boy. “Your plane is called Bumble Bee?”

Stewie nodded. “Yup.” He pointed at the tail where a hand painted bee in its black and yellow glory glowed.

“Wow, very cool. Bet it hovers really well.”

“Nah, it soars.” Stewie grinned. Today, he wasn’t in the suit Penn had had tailored for him. Instead, he wore jeans and a green t-shirt with the slogan, I don’t think outside the box. I never got in it.

His innocence tugged at a piece of me. I envied him a little. Envied him for being a part of Penn’s life—knowing him in a way I didn’t and probably never would. Even if we did give our connection a chance, how could I ever be sure what he told me was the truth?

Larry asked, “Did you have a good lunch together?”

I raised an eyebrow at Penn, letting him answer that. He muttered, “It ended sooner than it should’ve.”

I nodded at his reply. “It did. But for valid reasons.”

Larry rubbed his jaw, brushing gray bristles from not shaving this morning. “Ah, I see.” He smiled. “Well, I have no doubt Penn will make up for it, Elle. You don’t mind if I call you Elle, do you?”

I shook my head. “No, it’s fine.”

“Come on...can I fly?” Stewie shuffled on the spot, eyeing the open grass just down the path.

Larry chuckled. “Yes, yes, impatient one. Let’s go.”

Stewie whooped and shot off, carrying the massive plane like he would an oversize puppy with his arms wrapped tight.

“You’re welcome to come and watch,” Larry invited, motioning for me to join him.

My first instinct was to shake my head and back away. “Oh, no, that’s all right.”

But Penn stepped closer, his eyes dazzling in the sun. “Come.”

He blinded me. Dumbfounded me. Did he always look so resplendent, so persuading? Or was it the warmth of the sunshine and the fact my body heated with now familiar need? I no longer had skin but a map of desire that needed to be touched. “I don’t know—”

“You want answers, but you’re too afraid to chase them.” He stepped back, withdrawing his overpowering intensity for me to go with them. “I thought you knew how to fight harder than that.”

His voice deepened on the word fight.

My ears twitched.

Was he admitting to something?

Or was it me merely reading into things again?

“Come on, Elle. Ten minutes. What’s the harm?” Larry grinned. “I’d be honored to enjoy your company a little longer.”

My willpower fizzled.

I found myself nodding. “Okay.”

Chapter Twenty-Nine

STEWIE WAS RIGHT.

Bumble Bee did soar, climbing past the treeline into the cerulean blue horizon.

“He’s done that a few times.” I squinted upward, my hand shielding my eyes from the glare.

“He has. It was his birthday present a few months ago. Every chance he gets, he practices.” Larry clapped as Stewie executed a perfect swan dive and recovery. “He’s obsessive about things he wants. Doesn’t let it go until he’s perfected whatever it is he’s chasing.”

Penn stood on the other side of Larry, closed off to me, using the excuse to watch Stewie's aerobatics to avoid looking at me.

Stewie ran forward as the plane caught a gust of air and wobbled mid-flight. He didn’t look where he was going and tripped over a twig in the middle of the field.

“Oh, no!” I slapped a hand to my mouth as Stewie toppled forward.

Penn charged.

With speed not quite human, he scooped Stewie mid-fall and swept him around in a circle using his inertia before placing him on his feet.