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Liar Liar – Urban Fantasy, Young Adult
Excerpt:
Liar liar pants on fire…
The childhood taunt echoed through Cara Harper’s mind as she talked with her boyfriend, Gerald Ko. Gerald and a few of their friends were spending the week in Ohio at one of the water parks and Cedar Pointe on his parents’ dime. The trip had been a graduation present from his parents and a way to show they were, now, approving of their relationship.
But as it grew closer to her eighteenth birthday, Cara wanted to stick closer to home.
“It’s better if I’m not there.” She sighed.
“How?”
It was safer that way. For everyone.
“And I know you’re disappointed. I am too. Plus, momma’s been kinda weird lately with the whole graduation and going off to college thing.”
Not to mention I’ll be eighteen in less than a month, about to come into a whole slew of powers I know nothing about. Or how to deal with.
She had lied to him so much that she’d lost count of the number. Actually, she’d lost count at lie number 9,999.
“This was supposed to be our chance to be together. Be alone without the parents interrupting.” Gerald reminded her.
“I know that but…”
“Unless this is just a lie? Renee suggested that you might be seeing someone else. Is that true Cara? Is this just another one of your blow offs?”
I’m not seeing anyone else. It’s just that I’m not human.
“Ugh. Why do we have to keep doing this?” She threw her hands up and the lights flickered throughout the house.
Because you can’t very well tell him that you’re a daemon.
“Cara!” her foster mother, Karin yelled from the first floor.
“Sorry.” She thought, knowing Karin would hear her. One of the benefits of having a foster mother who was a Guardian. She could talk to her foster parents without having to actually talk to them. That was also one of the problems. If she didn’t have her shield up, they could read her just as easily.
“Renee has never thought I was right for you. If it wasn’t for the fact she’s dating your best friend I’d think she was after you herself. You know I’d give anything to be there with you, swimming in the lake, showing off my new bikini. Heck it’s even in your favorite color. But I can’t. Even if I could convince momma to let me go. I still need a way up there.”
Cara stood by the window, watching the people standing at the bus stop across the street from the foster center. She should have taken Tansy up on the offer to create a program to keep track of her lies. At least then, she’d be able to remember what she’d said to whom, when and why.
“I can come back to get you.”
No!!!!
“And that’s sweet of you to offer baby but that’s so much driving. Stay, have fun. Maybe we can do something when you get back.”
“I noticed you didn’t deny Renee’s accusations.”
“Fine Gerald. I’ll tell you the truth.”
“That would be nice for a change.”
Someone is trying to kill me.
“My biological parents are coming into town and I didn’t need the distraction.”
“Distraction?”
“That came out wrong.”
“I should hope so.”
“I meant. I don’t know what I meant. Just this is big for me, you know? Meeting them. And…”
She heard the distinct clink of metal against metal. Listening closer, she heard the rapid sound of tires against pavement.
“What are you doing?”
“What do you mean?”
“I hear jingling. Like keys? Are you in the car?”
“Damn it.”
She heard his hand hit the dashboard of his car.
“Yeah. I’m on my way back home. I should be there in about an hour or so.”
“Why? You can’t. I mean, you should go back. Spend some time with the gang before we all go off in different directions.”
“Look, I spent time with the guys. But that isn’t what this trip was about them. It was supposed to be about us. And I’m guessing if you’re biological parents are coming then you’re going to need me there with you more than they would.”
“Fine do what you want.” She grumbled. “Look,” she lied, “Tansy is giving me the evil eye. She wants to use the phone. I’ll just talk to you when you get back.”
“Okay. Bye.” He paused, “Oh and Care?”
“Yeah?”
“I love you.” He paused and sighed when the sentiment wasn’t returned. “It doesn’t matter Cara. You don’t have to say it back.”
She wished she could return the sentiment but instead remained silent. Her thoughts on the drama of her life, centered on the dual identities she was forced to live.
“Links to other Excerpt Monday writers”
Joining us this week:
Jane Bled, Yaoi/M-M Erotica/Vampire/Paranormal/Horror (PG 13)
Heather S Ingemar, Dark Fantasy (PG13)
Babette James, Fantasy Romance (PG13)
Cynthia Justlin, Contemporary Romance (PG 13)
Kaige, Historical Romance (PG 13)
Julia Knight, Fantasy Romance (PG 13)
Jeannie Lin, Historical paranormal romance (PG 13)
R.F Long, Fantasy (PG13)
Shawntelle Madison, Paranormal Romance (PG 13)
Debbie Mumford, Fantasy (PG 13)
Bria Quinlan, Rom Com (PG13)
Megan S, Paranormal (PG 13)
Rosalind Stone, Women’s Fiction (PG 13)
Jo Lynne Valerie, Paranormal Romance (PG 13)
Kendal Ashby, YA (R)
Jax Cassidy, Contemporary (R)
Cate Hart, YA Paranormal (R)
Inez Kelley, Romantic Comedy (R)
Aislinn Kerry, Fantasy (R)
Jeanne St. James, Contemporary Erotic Romance (R)
Cherrie Lynn, Paranormal Romance (R)
Jeanette Murray, Romantic Comedy (R)
Christa Paige, Paranormal (R)
Michelle Picard, Fantasy Romance (R)
Mary Quast, Contemporary Romance (R)
Alexia Reed, Urban Fantasy (R)
Zora Stout, Contemporary Erotic Romance (R)
Sara Brookes, Erotic Sci Fi (NC 17)
Emily Ryan-Davis, Romance (NC 17)
Ella Drake, Historical Paranormal Romance (NC 17)
Angeleque Ford, Erotic Dark Urban Fantasy (NC17)
J.W. Hankins, Dark Fiction (NC 17)
Annie Nicholas, Paranormal Romance (NC 17)
Kim Knox, Erotic SF Romance (NC17)
Michelle Polaris, Erotic Futuristic Romance (NC 17)
Bryl R. Tyne, Contemporary M/M (NC 17)
Note: I have not personally screened these excerpts. Please heed the ratings and be aware that the links may contain material that is not typical of my site.