The Love of Lies

Mine

Ashton’s POV

Cori is behaving oddly, but it’s not necessarily hostile or rude, so I don’t know what to call it.

The dress she’s wearing was one that I distinctly remember her telling my mother she would never use because it was ‘too much,’ and yet, she’s wearing it right now. She also chose heels that wrap around her calves; shoes that I had to put on her even though I didn’t want to.

Cori was never flat chested, but she’s definitely not as small as she used to be up there, and all I can think right now is that she’s finally realized how beautiful she is.

I can’t help but to keep looking over at her, thinking that she’ll eventually say something, but she doesn’t, so I do.

Cori says she’s feeling fine, she doesn’t want to go home, and the only thing I notice is that she’s speaking somewhat sarcastically.

I can tell that she’s at least mildly wary about my friendship with Ruthie, but I’ve assured her that the woman and I are just friends.

I just hope that Cori’s predisposition doesn’t stop the women from bonding because I’m not exaggerating when I say that Ruthie is the most fun person I know.

However, when she starts taking pictures, I start feeling like this trip is a mistake, and when she posts something on social media, I become annoyed.

Cori does not post anything about me or the twins, and truthfully, she’s only just unblocked me.

I’ve asked her about it, and she said that she didn’t want anyone bringing the information back to her father, which I believe, but at the same time, I’m curious as to who she posts for.

I post images for my friends, but Cori doesn’t have friends, unless, which I doubt, she’s been lying to me about that.

In the past, her social media was just a few pictures of herself sprinkled in with lots of pictures of photos she would take of inanimate objects, but lately, she posts more face pictures, and the worst part is that the people I introduced her to are usually the first to start liking them.

I’ve never made a fuss about it, but I may have to because you can’t tell that Cori is pregnant based on her face.

“You’ve been taking a lot of selfies lately.”

“For the twins.”

“On a social media platform that may not exist when they’re old enough to use a phone?”

“I’ll get some printed too.” I say nothing in response because I don’t like arguing with Cori.

She’s extremely passive, so when I win, I feel like I lost because I always come off as a bully.

Fortunately, she and I don’t have screaming matches, so our disagreements are typically a few exchanges that end when either of us realize we were wrong.

That’s one thing I love about our relationship.

We can literally come at a situation from two different angles, talk through it, and at least one of us will bow out gracefully. It doesn’t happen often, but it does, and as of lately, it’s been mostly focused on whether Cori is going to breastfeed, or formula feed the twins.

I get that there are health benefits, but she’s carrying doubles, and I don’t know if she’ll be able to feed them both with what comes from her body. She however sees that as me looking down on her, but it has more to do with me not wanting her to burn herself out.

“Can you tag me in the picture?”

“I can send it to you.” I knew Cori was going to say that.

She no longer allows her account to be tagged thanks to Vanessa and her friends, so I’m not surprised she doesn’t want to, but I still don’t like it.

“When are you going to make our relationship official?” I’m joking, but only partly.

Cori doesn’t think posting a picture of us together is important, nor does she want me to do it, but to me, it’s a declaration that I’m not sure she realizes I’m trying to make. Cori is mine, the twins are mine, her body is mine, her face is mine, and basically… She belongs to me.

“Depends on the picture.” That is as close to a yes that I have ever gotten, but my smile is immediately wiped away. “As long as my face isn’t in it.”

“Cori… That’s foul.” The way my girlfriend looks over at me makes me realize that she was teasing me, so I pick up her hand and bring it to my lips. “So, is that a yes?”

“Sure Ashton.” I’m on cloud nine right now, and maybe waiting for this moment is why she’s been so into her physical appearance lately.

Feeling better, the drive continues in a pleasant silence, but after we park and I attempt to leave the car, Cori reaches over and holds my arm, stopping me from getting out.

“Ashton, I’m serious. Don’t embarrass me in there.”

“Embarrass you? Cori babe, I already told you that Ruthie is just a friend.” The woman smiles at me, but because I know that it’s fake, I lean back into the car to kiss her. “I promise. I wouldn’t do that to you.” After another kiss, we get out of the vehicle and enter the somewhat crowded bar.

“Oh, sh*t! It’s Cori,” one of my i***t friends’ shouts, making the woman chuckle in embarrassment as a very drunk group of grown men start chanting her name.

They think she’s amazing, and they're always inviting her out, but Cori isn’t much of a party girl, so she typically throws their invitation back at them by suggesting dinner instead.

“We didn’t think we’d see you here.”

“Ashton made me come,” Cori replies, smiling brightly at Clarence.

I watch my friends touch my girl’s belly, then in his drunken state, Clarence not only rubs it a little too much for my liking, but he starts scratching it like it’s a puppy, so I grab his wrist and move his hand away.

“Too much?” Surprisingly, it’s Cori who tells him that he was just at the edge of crossing the line, and blaming his drunkenness, the man apologizes.

“I didn’t take it personal, but Ashton might have.” Cori points to my scowl, making the rest of my friends laugh at my expression before Clarence gives me a consolatory double shot.

“I can’t. I told Cori that I wouldn’t get drunk.” I didn’t expect the men to start begging her on my behalf, nor did I expect her to fold in such a cute way.

“Fine, but all of you have to personally choose a present for my baby shower. No gift cards, and no asking anyone else to pick something for you.”

“Why the f*ck would you want that?” James is extremely drunk, but he only said what I was thinking out loud.

“Wouldn’t that be funny?” Cori asks. “I want to see what you get. We can turn it into a contest!” I’ve never seen Cori this excited about our baby shower, and she just jump started a sh*t talking match about who’s going to ‘win.’

In the meantime, I down my drink and order another, eager to catch up to my friends now that I have permission, and since she agreed, I know she’s planning to drive.

“I’m going to the lady’s room,” Cori declares, getting my attention and pointing in the direction of where she’ll be.

I kiss her cheek and watch her leave, ignoring the mocking ‘awws’ my friends are singing until Cori is fully out of ear shot.

“Now that she’s gone. Let's set some ground rules about touching her.”

Cori’s POV

Ashton’s friends are funny drunk people, and being around them makes me realize that I don’t need to put so much emphasis on his drinking. He’s good at controlling himself, I’ve known that from working at Syd’s, so I don’t feel uncomfortable with the idea of him letting go every so often.

It also helps that he didn’t immediately start asking for Ruth, so I feel much less annoyed about why we’re here.

Leaving the restroom, I catch a glimpse of a familiar figure and approach, tapping the man’s shoulder wearing a surprised smile.

“HEY! What are you doing here?” Brandon looks shocked to see me, and before I can stop him, he’s giving me a hug. “That's a big belly. Please don’t tell me you’re having twins.” He asked me not to, so I say nothing, making the man’s face recoil. “Idiot.” I chuckle at the man’s honesty, but…

“It’s not like I got to choose.”

“You could’ve; I just hope that you made the right decision.” I get that Brandon doesn’t like Ashton, but I do now.

“Please don’t be mean. Ashton and I have worked things out, and we came here together tonight.”

“Happy to hear it.”

“Thanks.” There’s tension between us, so I quickly find a way to dispel it. “Are you here with someone too?”

“Nope. I’m supposed to be doing a client a favor, but his client hasn’t even shown up yet.” I’m confused, and the man tells me that he’s the designated driver for Ruth Briggs.

I guess it makes sense that this bar is filled with people who are here for the woman, and without asking for details, I move onto another subject.

After a few minutes of random conversation, the man hands me his business card, telling me that after giving birth, he might have a job for me.

Apparently, his maternal grandmother needs home health care, and while I’m not trained in geriatrics, it sounds more like the woman just needs capable company, not a nurse.

I put the card in my purse, preparing myself to end the conversation when Ashton possessively wraps his arms around me.

“You’ve been over here for too long.”

“Sorry, I was just about to say goodnight.” Ashton literally glares up at Brandon before looking back down at me.

I don't know the issues between them, but it's clear that they hate one another, so I try to, perhaps, give Ashton a reason not to dislike the man.

"He has a potential job offer for after the twins are born."

"You don't need a job." That statement didn't come off well, and I know Ashton didn't mean it in a bad way, but still, Brandon scoffs.

"Right… she should stay completely and totally dependent on you until the relationship fails and she's left with nothing."

“Why would you say that?” I’m actually really offended because, not only did I just tell Brandon that Ashton and I have worked things out, but what he just said implies that Ashton would leave me destitute, and I don’t like that. “I get that you two have your issues, but how do you think that statement makes me feel?”

“Probably not great, but you can’t just put blinders on and smile like everything’s okay.”

“Everything is okay.” Ashton replies, emphasizing the word is to make his point.

“Then why are you holding her like she’s property?” Ashton steps forward, but I push him back, shaking my head because I don’t want to act against him or Brandon. Neither man is really saying anything wrong, but I understand why my boyfriend is upset.

“Brandon, please don’t antagonize him using me as a weapon. Ashton isn’t perfect, but he’s trying, and I would appreciate it if you would respect that.”

“I respect YOU, and because I can see that you're offended, I apologize, but Cori, don’t let your guard down.” I nod at the man who flashes a quick smile before walking away.

“Cori… That man is not your friend,” Ashton says with an attitude.

“He is, but he sees his mother in me.” I watch my boyfriend's expression go flat with understanding. “He’s just telling me what he thinks people should’ve told her.”