Chapter 9 Bets and lies

I held my hand under the water for barely two seconds because I was in a rush to see the rest of the tree house. I don't think I even remembered to turn the water off. I made my way down a hall to a huge living space. There are more stairs leading up just on the left. I started to make my way there, but a hand grabbed my wrist.

I turned to face Lou. "Where are you going? Why didn't you keep your hand under the water?" he asked, pulling me back towards the kitchen. Before I could respond, "Slow down. I'm fine. Didn't you just tell your brother to stop dragging me?" I countered, acting like some spoiled brat because I was upset I didn't get to finish exploring the tree house.

He halted and turned to face me. "How come you care now? He and I are so different. Please don't compare us," he said before continuing to walk with me to the sink. He cut the water on, and I just stood quiet for a moment letting him clean the cuts with water and alcohol. Then he bandaged and wrapped it. "All done," he said, turning off the water.

I continued to stand quiet because these brothers are very moody right now. Which I can't say I don't understand. They lost their mom yesterday. My mind went back to the conversation with Jason. "What are you thinking about?" Lou asked, grabbing two bottles of water from the fridge. I tried to think of something to say since I didn't want to mention the conversation with Jason or Dakota.

"Nothing, thanks," I said after taking a bottle from his hand. And then there was an awkward silence while we took long sips from our bottles. "Why were you looking for me?" I twisted the cap on my water before turning to face him. "I don't have friends, it's not like me and Dakota are close... Can't I hang out with you?" I watched him frown and toss his bottle in the trash before turning back to me.

"You seemed close to me," he said. I just nodded and began to walk past him. I'm unwelcome here. He grabbed my wrist. Stopping me. "I just meant you seemed like you could hang out with him. I mean, yes, you can hang out with me if that's what you want. I just don't get it... Nevermind. If you want to stay here and hang out, that's fine."

"Don't force yourself, besides I can find something to do". I tried to remove his hand, but he tightened it. "I'm sorry if I said something wrong. You don't have to go. I didn't mean you couldn't hang out with me". I ignored him, still trying to remove his hand. He grabbed my other wrist and pulled me towards him. Causing me to unintentionally lean on his chest.

"Stay Sky. I could use the company right now, otherwise, I don't think I can get through this" he mumbled, and I could tell he was holding back tears. His hands went from my wrist to my back and I just returned the hug knowing that's exactly what he needed right now. That's exactly what all of them need right now. Including Dakota, who is acting like it never happened.

We stayed like that for just a few moments, and then he took a step back. "Sorry I hope I didn't make you uncomfortable," He said, looking everywhere but at me. I placed the water on the counter. "You said we could hang out so, show me around," I said, holding out my hand. He took it and led me back through the hallway. There's not much to see, it's just a treehouse. But there is a secret hideout built-in.``

"Can I see it?" I asked excitedly. He paused for a moment as if debating his answer. "If I show you, it won't be a secret anymore. No one knows about it but me since I built the place," he admitted. And I'm pretty sure my eyes went big. Did he build this? "Oh don't look so surprised. I can do things" he said, ruffling my hair. "I mean it's huge. I just thought your family had it built by workers plural. Not that a single person did it alone."

"My dad thought it was childish and stupid and wouldn't hire anyone to do it. He said, if I wanted it. To build it on my own. So that's exactly what I did" he said as we turned a corner and were met by a dining room. We kept talking as we walked. About his reason for wanting the tree house, his hobbies, etc. So far, he's shown me a dining room, two bathrooms, and two rooms, and we still haven't covered half of the tree house.

And just as he's about to open another door. My stomach growled. How embarrassing. I placed a hand on my stomach as if that was supposed to stop it from doing it again. Lou laughed. "You didn't eat?" he asked, glancing down at my hand. "Well, someone made me drop it" I countered. He shook his head. "Come on, I'll cook for you.

Hopefully, then you will let that go."

I smiled as I followed him back to the kitchen. "Maybe I will. . . . It depends on your cooking skills." He laughed "How about I make it interesting? If my cooking skills blow you away, you have to spend the rest of the week hanging out with me," he said, pulling out a saucepan. I thought about it for a moment.

"Are you scared your fiancé will be pissed?" he asked when I didn't respond. I rolled my eyes. He's not my... We are not. Ugh, I don't even have a ring on my finger. I am not his. Why does everyone keep calling me that?" He laughed. "Who is everyone? And apologies. I thought you two were getting along well."

"Tell me when you're done," I said as I walked out to the balcony. The air hit me like salt to a wound. I shivered. When did it get so cold? The view is astonishing. You could see the large garden. Well, not all of it, but enough. Different colors of flowers and crops sit like a painting of a colorful landscape. I've always liked those paintings.

I laid back on a lounge chair admiring the view. It's so peaceful up here. Even though it was cold, I was comfortable. So comfortable I could feel sleep creeping in. I closed my eyes, allowing it to take over. I'm not sure how long I slept, but I woke up when I felt a wave of warmth slowly accompany my body. I opened my eyes slowly to see Lou straightening a blanket on me.

"Oh good you're awake. Dinners ready. Let's go in. It's cold". I followed him back to the dining room. I gasped when we entered the room. There was so much food on the table. "Why did you make so much?" I asked, staring at the table filled with different dishes. "I don't know what you like, and we made a bet that I want to win. So I made all of my specialties. Now please sit," he said, pulling out a chair for me.

"Thank you," I said as I sat down. Not knowing what to eat first. There's meatloaf, veggies, different kinds of fish and other seafood, Alfredo pasta, other pasta, salad, croquettes, onion rings, chicken tenders, and more that I just wow. I laughed. I couldn't believe he made so much trying to win a bet.

"What's so funny?" he asked, confused, laying out silverware and glasses near our plates.

"You. You made all of this just because of a bet which, by the way, we have not discussed what will happen if I don't like your food," I said, pointing to the food. He glanced at the food and smiled. "I've never had one person, not one that I could not please with my cooking. So if, by chance, you are the one person that hates it. I shall do whatever you say for the next month. Your Highness"

He said with a huge smile.

"OK, that's a bet I can work with." Just as I reached for the salmon, Lou stood from his seat staring past me. I followed his gaze to see the king standing in the doorway. I quickly stood to my feet. "What are you doing here?" Lou asked. "Sky, does Dakota know you're here?" The king asked, ignoring Lou completely.

"Yes," I said shakily. My voice gave it away that I was lying. Dakota walked up and stood next to the king at that very moment. For some reason, my heartbeat sped up tremendously, and I just stood there. Kind of preparing myself for the worst. Because the devil had just caught me in a lie.