Just a reminder that all my stories are drafts and sometimes not proofread very well. I realise there are mistakes, but just try to ignore them. I will go through and edit when I have time :-)

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Dedication: Classicvamp12 for posting an awesome edit of Bad Liar on her Instagram! Thanks for being a supporter of the story <3

Recap:

"Thank you, Miles, I appreciate that. I'm here for you, as well."

His thumb gently caresses my palm and I let out a sigh.

No matter how hard I try, I can't resist him. I can't help fall for his charm.

It's impossible not to.

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"Hey," I say softly as I sit on the edge of Finn's bed.

He has his face buried into his pillow, his arms tucked underneath. He lets out a grunt in response. I gently touch his arm, trying to be some sort of comfort to him.

"How are you?"

He rolls onto his back and stares up at the ceiling, looking drained. "Just great."

"Looks that way."

"I had a talk with mum this morning," he mumbles tiredly, rubbing his eyes.

"I heard," I whisper.

He raises a dark eyebrow at me. "Eavesdropper."

"I know. Anger Management, huh?"

"Bullshit, isn't it?" he growls, looking annoyed.

"Well..." I shrug one-shouldered. "You do get in a lot of fights."

"So do a lot of people."

"Not as much as you." I say gently. "It's getting bad, Finn."

He exhales deeply through his nose. "Damn it."

I move so that I am lying beside him. Our shoulders graze as I stare up at the ceiling.

"Who were you with this morning?" he questions.

"Miles," I answer honestly, tired of keeping things from him. I want to be honest about everything from here on out, I don't want to keep everything to myself, like mum has been.

He swivels his head to look at me. "Last night-"

"I know what he did," I sigh. "It's been sorted. I told him he should go to classes with you."

"Ugh," Finn groans with a breath of laughter. "You and mum are as bad as each other."

"I think it would be good for the both of you." I press, wiggling my eyebrows. "You can bond."

"Sounds great," he remarks sarcastically.

"You're actually going to do it, right?" I ask him.

"I'll talk to my counsellor on Monday and see if he can sign me up for classes." he replies in an unenthusiastic tone. "And I guess I can ask for Miles, too, if he wants to come."

I beam at my brother. "Thank you, Finn. That means a lot to me."

"You do realise I care for you, more than anyone in the world, right?" he asks me with surprising intensity. "I know sometimes I come across overprotective and controlling, but I feel it's my responsibility."

"I know, Finn. I love you."

"I love you, too."

He pulls me into a rib-breaking hug. I tighten my arms around him and take a moment to appreciate how nice it is to hug my brother. I haven't for a while.

"Finn," I whisper as we part. "I need to be honest about something and you need to promise to keep your anger in check?"

"Not a good day for it, honestly," Finn sighs, rubbing his fingers across his forehead. "But go ahead."

"Promise me."

"I promise," he rolls his eyes.

I close my eyes and draw in an encouraging breath.

"Alec and I messed around a little bit... it wasn't really anything serious, but now that things with Miles has progressed, we've broke it off."

I hold my breath.

Silence.

I peep through one eyelid. His face his emotionless. He sits up and stares down at me.

"How long did it go on for?"

"Not long. Just a few kisses here and there... I am so sorry for keeping it from you. I was just so scared-"

"Save it, Isobel." he cuts in sternly, looking severely pissed. "I'm your brother. You're one of my best friends. You lied to me."

Tears burn at my eyes. "I-I didn't lie... I just-"

"I don't know who I'm more disappointed with - you for letting it happen, or Alec." he snaps, his jaw clenched. "If he had feelings for you, all he had to do was say something. For you both to go behind my back... do you know how humiliating that is?"

A tear falls down my cheek as I push off the bed. "I'm sorry."

He shakes his head, his cheeks a dark colour. "Please leave."

Dragging my hand across my cheek, I nod. "Finn, please don't do anything stupid-"

"Isobel," he says calmly, standing. His face his hard and his eyes are ice-cold as he stares at me. "Get out."

With heavy shoulders, I drag my feet out the door, sniffling.

I should probably warn Alec.

***

I absently pick at my already-chipped nail polish as I listen to the sound of my phone ringing in my ear. I sigh as Alec doesn't answer. Again. I know he is avoiding me, but if I have called four times, surely he would realise it's urgent.

Throwing my phone down, I blow out a breath of air, feeling frustrated.

Even though I only saw him this morning, I dial Miles' number.

He answers on the third ring.

"Hey Is," he says softly. "What's up?"

"Are you busy?" I ask him, chewing at my lip softly.

"Not really."

"So, we can talk for a bit?" I ask quietly.

"Of course. You okay?" he sounds genuinely concerned and I smile, despite feeling awful. I hate fighting with Finn. It rarely happens and when it does, it makes me feel sick to my stomach.

"I just spoke to Finn. I told him about... Alec." I whisper, not daring to speak much louder.

He is silent for a few moments. "He didn't take it well, did he?"

"He took it how I expected, really. He's hurt and humiliated."

"Will you be mad if I agree with that?" he questions.

"No," I say glumly and sigh. "He's right, I'm wrong. Like always."

"Hey, don't beat yourself up. Alec started it and knew what he was getting into. Can't blame him either, you're hot."

I let out a bubble of laughter and roll my eyes. "Thanks Miles."

"And funny and nice and did I say cute? Because you're cute, too." he continues and I know he is smirking and trying to make me smile. It's working.

"I knew ringing you would make me feel better," I laugh. "I really enjoyed our catch up today."

"Me too. What are you doing tonight?"

"Nothing."

"Can I pick you up?"

"Sure. After dinner? Around eight?" I suggest.

"Sounds good to me."

"Okay, I'll see you then," I murmur, feeling my mood boost considerably.

When he hangs up, I smile, despite the circumstances and gaze up at the ceiling.

Finn remains in his room the rest of the day. I finish off an assessment that's due next Tuesday and clean my room, since mum has been nagging me all week to do it. Somehow ending up in a cleaning frenzy, I clean the bathrooms, lounge room and even the kitchen, much to mum's surprise.

After keeping myself busy and Finn only venturing out of his room to get a packet of chips, the time goes by quickly. I watch two episodes of the show I'm watching on Netflix and then it's dinner time.

I sit across from Finn, who is scowling down at his plate, looking irritated.

"Finn," I say softly.

He shakes his head at me and I sag in my seat.

Mum sits at the head of the table, like always and passes out the cutlery. I mumble a thank you as I begin to swirl the spaghetti in my fork.

It's deadly silent as mum fills her glass with wine. Both Finn and I watch her with a disapproving frown. She is either oblivious or choosing to ignore our stares. She takes a long sip and I continue to eat, even though I don't feel hungry.

"You guys don't have any plans with friends tonight?" Mum queries.

I see Finn flinch at the words 'friends'.

"I think I'm going to go to Samara's after dinner," I lie. I want to be honest with mum, but it's not the right time. "If that's alright?"

"Yes, of course," she nods with a smile. "What about you, Finn? When am I going to meet this girlfriend of yours?"

"We're not dating," he rolls his eyes and I smile. He seems more himself, again. "But I could maybe call her and see if she wants to come over for a movie..."

Mum's grin widens. "As long as you leave the door open, I'm happy."

He makes a face. "Yes, mum, we don't need to go through the sex talk again."

"Agreed," I say, looking sour. "The first time was bad enough."

Horrible images of mum holding up a condom and banana fill my mind. Finn and I meet eyes, obviously thinking the same thing. All three of us burst out laughing at the memory, even though none of us were laughing at the time.

"Well, I wanted to make sure you knew how to do it," she giggles and wipes her eyes.

"Please stop," I breathe, slapping my hand on the table as I try to control my laughter.

The rest of the dinner goes much the same. Things were going good, actually, until the news comes on. We all watch it as we finish eating. The story hits a little too close to home, when the reporter explains how a father of two, died in a head-on crash this afternoon. I hear mum's fork clang loudly on the table as she stands, looking pale.

She walks to the kitchen and leans on the bench, looking shaky.

Finn gets to his feet and turns the T.V off, looking pissed off.

When he sits back down, the laughter we shared moments ago has vanished. We're back to not talking.

I glance to mum, to see her holding a wine bottle. I kick Finn under to table and he glowers at me.

"What?" he hisses.

I incline my head. He looks to where mum is pouring herself another drink. He springs to his feet immediately. He goes to the radio and turns it up. I raise my eyebrows as he dances over to mum and pries the wine bottle from her hand, somehow making it not awkward. He clasps his hands in hers and drags her towards the lounge room. I join in and begin to dance, realising what he is doing.

I casually enter the kitchen and grab the wine bottle. There's only enough left in it for maybe a glass. I pour it down the sink and place the bottle in the recycling bin. I rinse out her glass and put it in the dishwasher, before joining them in the lounge room.

Mum seems to enjoy herself and momentarily forgets about the broadcast, that reminded us all of what happened to us, almost two years ago.

We end up retiring to our rooms about half an hour later. I get myself dressed into something less comfortable. I am just finished, when my phone vibrates.

Miles: Here.

My fingers tighten around the phone in excitement. I jam it in the back pocket of my jeans, as I slide my feet into sandals. I skip down the stairs and call out bye, before I rush outside. I stop dead in my tracks when I see Miles smirking at me, holding out a motorbike helmet.

I completely spaced. I forgot the only means for transport he has, is his motorbike.

"Ready?" he smirks, looking devilishly sexy with his hair windblown and his leather jacket tightly hugging his muscular figure.

I gulp, nervously taking the helmet from him.

This is going to be interesting.

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Sorry for longer wait! Usually I update like every two days haha but I was so busy this week and I still am! Hope this chapter is good enough to tide you over for what is to come ;)

Don't forget to check out my other stories!

‼️ Completed: Coach's Number One, Faithless, Childhood Sweethearts, Downright Delinquents, Chasing Casey and The Best Thing For Me (I wrote that a loooong time ago, read at your own risk... it's cringe).

On-Going: Darker Than Sin‼️