All Chapters of Lovely Lies: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

MakynzeeNot much surprised or upset me anymore when it came to my mom. In fact, the only things that actually meant anything to me were my Beats headphones, music, gymnastics, and what little was left of my sanity. I actually had to contemplate what upset me more; the stinging sensation across the left side of my face, from the slap my mom just delivered or the sight of her foot stomping on my headphones which flew from my ears when she hit me. I was a pretty practical girl, so I went with the stomping of the headphones. Before she demolished them I swooped down and snatched them up. Then our staring contest began. My look asked “what now?” hers was unreadable, but I think I won. She looked away first.            “You and these stupid ass headphones make me sick, instead of sitting in your room you should be out trying to find a job and figure out a way to pay for colle

MakynzeeMy mom thought I still worked at the restaurant. I told her I took an extra shift and I’d be home late. She’d told me she needed a break from me anyway. That stung, but whatever. I threw my keys into my purse and went inside the club. A few men lingered by the main stage—none of them Kalil—and a woman behind the bar waved me over.“You’re Minx?” she asked once I was close enough.“Who?”“Kalil said to look out for the new girl. That’s you, right?”“Oh. Yup. I’m Minx.” That’s the stage name he came up with?“Come on back, let me show you a few things. Put your purse and keys in this safe, only open it before we open and after we close, only the barmaids use this one. If you miss the cutoff use one of the lockers in the back. Wear this for your tips.”She tossed me a garter and I quickly slipped

MakynzeeI’d seen Kalil pissed and going ballistic on a few people, but tonight surprised me. He’d never hit anyone and the thought of him getting arrested because of me was downright terrifying. If he weren’t around, where would I go?I still had no clue why I needed to close tonight. Cari was still here, so she could have easily closed. I shook my head and tried not to let my mind wonder. I watched the stage wondering how hard it would be to do an upside-down split on one of the poles. The stage was shaped like a ‘T’, with a pole at the center and two on the side tips. The chrome shined like mirror, with plush black velvet that should’ve looked trashy, but gave off a classy vibe. I could do a lot on those poles. I heard Cari calling my name and I look back at her.“Can you actually dance?” she asked.I nodded and went to a table to wipe it down.“You stare at that sta

Jay got here early Friday morning. We went out for breakfast then hit up the mall. By the time we got back to my mom’s house it was after five. There was a man sitting in my dad’s chair and fury rushed through me at the sight. I could hear my mom yelling something to him from the kitchen. How dare he sit there? I must have said that aloud because Jay pushed me aside and yelled to my mom that we were back. She came from the kitchen and the man smiled as he stood.“You must be Makynzee?” he questioned.I didn’t smile back. I wanted to know who he was and why he looked so comfortable in my dad’s chair.“Sweetheart, this is Stanley,” my mom explained as though that meant anything.Sweetheart? She hadn’t called me anything remotely close to that since before my dad died. “Nice to meet you,” I responded stiffly. I didn’t offer my hand or any other pleasantries. My mom glared. What

MakynzeeJaida was asleep when I made it to the car and I didn’t wake her. I was devastated, so I was glad for the reprieve. She woke up just as we made it home. If I thought my reprieve would last, I was sorely mistaken. My mom laid into me as soon as we crossed the threshold. “How dare you disrespect and embarrass me like this?” she screeched.I paused and glanced around. I had no clue what she meant, but I wasn’t stupid. At this rate, I knew if she got close enough she’d hit me. I darted behind the loveseat. She could only be mad for one of two reasons. We didn’t come home last night. I could have cared less about even calling. On top of that we were supposed to have lunch with her and Stanley today. I knew my mom. A typical parent would be upset about their child staying out all night. This woman was not typical. I glanced at Jay then focused on my mom. “I’m sorry, we fo