Truth or Lies? by A. Gomez (books to get back into reading TXT) 📕

drifting to Josh and I absentmindedly started tracing the letters on the messages Vanessa gave me earlier. It was Monday night football tonight and I wouldn’t be able to enjoy that with my Greek god. I pictured his beautiful face, remembering how he fell asleep on my sofa. Sigh. I wished we were there now.

“Cheer up, Isabel,” Ben chimed, jolting me out of my reverie. “This will all be over soon enough.”

“What? Do I look depressed?”

“Yes, actually you do.” He was petting Samson. Every time he stopped, Samson would give him his paw, whining for more. It was such a cute sight. I loved that dog.

“Oh.”

“So, tell me what to expect this evening. I want to make sure the kids and the parents feel comfortable with me. I don’t want to overstep to where the kids don’t talk.” He was changing the subject for my benefit. He was such a considerate person but had a horrible bedside manner. He was always so serious and I could never tell if he was angry or just deep in thought. And he saw patients at one time? Was he like this when he was a doctor or did the FBI make him this way?

“Well, first of all, you have to make sure you don’t look so serious,” I admonished. “You’re a good-looking guy, Ben, but your expressions always leave me guessing. We have to work on your bedside manner.”

“You think I’m good looking?” He was surprised.

“Yes, Ben,” I said, rolling my eyes. “But you’re no Greek god. That title is reserved for Joshua Rockwall,” I smirked.

Ben was grinning from ear to ear, and completely disregarded what I said about Josh. “Isabel, I had no idea you found me so attractive.”

I gazed at him with one eyebrow raised. “Seriously? That’s what you got out of this whole conversation? Did you not hear what I just said?”

He was still smiling a big, goofy unapologetic smile at me. I rolled my eyes again and shook my head.

“Where is everyone?” I asked, changing topics.

“Your mother and cousin are in one of the therapy rooms taking a quick nap. Agent Bless is sitting close by making sure no one goes in.”

I nodded, gazing at Samson. “So, I’d like to give Sammy some water and take him out to relieve himself. Is that possible?”

“Better not,” he answered, rubbing Samson’s belly. “I’ll be glad to do that for you.” Then he started talking baby talk to my dog.

I giggled. No one can resist Samson’s cuteness, I thought to myself. I got up to give Sammy some water and handed Ben his leash. They were both loving on each other, Ben rubbing him all over and talking baby talk to him and Samson giving Ben his paw and doing a deep, playful growl. I had a broad grin on my face as I watched them.

“Don’t take too long with him,” I told him. “Sometimes kids and parents start to show up early just so they can have a few minutes alone with me or another therapist before everyone else arrives.” I glanced at my watch and the time was ten minutes to six. Six-thirty was the actual time we started but we would usually get a few early birds arriving for the snacks and not just to speak with one of us.

“Got it,” he said, grinning like a fool at Samson.

“I’m going to wake my mother and Belín. I promise I won’t go anywhere else.”

“Got it,” he answered, still grinning as they walked off.

“And remember to smile like you’re doing when the kids get here,” I shouted.

“Got it.”

“Yeah, whatever. I’ll believe it when I see it,” I muttered under my breath.

Ben stopped and turned to look at me, “What was that, Isabel?” he called loudly.

“I said I’ll see you when you get back,” I replied loudly, feeling irritated. I stalked toward Adam, who was on Belín’s laptop, no doubt still doing research. I motioned to him that I was going in and he just nodded. I quietly opened the door so as to not startle anyone. I found my mother on the phone talking to Josh. Belín was in front of a mirror fixing her hair and face. Why the hell couldn’t he just call me?! Why did he have to go through my mother first? Did he still need therapy? What could possibly be bothering him or on his mind now? He was the one that told me he wouldn’t take me home with him. What was his problem?

“Oh, son, here she is.” My mother passed me the phone. What? What was with calling him “son?”

I took the phone, frowning at her for the “son” remark and sat down. She got up to leave. “Hey,” I said, brusquely, “why couldn’t you call my cell?”

“I have been calling your cell for the past twenty minutes, baby, but you never picked up.” His voice sounded even more sultry and throaty over the phone. My heart skipped a beat just hearing him speak.

“You have?” I paused, feeling guilty for thinking the worst. “I’m sorry, Josh. Maybe I inadvertently put it on vibrate after ignoring David’s call. I should’ve known you’re very resourceful and will find a way to talk to me.”

“Fucking cocksucker! I wish you didn’t have to deal with him.”

“I won’t too much longer since I’m leaving this evening.” I sighed, stretching my legs out on the sofa. “I’m glad about that at least.”

“I’m glad about that too,” he added. “Baby, I want to let you know I’m home and am missing you, wishing you were here with me.”

“Me too. And the Cowboys are playing tonight,” I said, sounding morose. “We won’t be able to watch it together, but watch it anyway, and think of me. I’ll be watching from my parents’ house.”

“Why don’t you watch the game