Lucas I take one look at Sage's pretty face and know that I could never deny him. When he's promising to be mine as long as I do what he wants, I know that I'll give him anything. "Just tell me a lie, and I'm yours." It's the strangest thing a hookup has ever asked for, but if one little lie makes him mine, I'm eager to do it. And after it's over, I know that it's the best thing I've ever done. Sage All that I am is a burden that nobody loves. That's fine. I can deal with it because I have no choice. And now that I'm away from my parents and living with my brother, who doesn't know why I ran away, it's easier to handle. But being lonely is hard, and one night, when I'm feeling particularly sad, I go looking for love in the last place I should. I know going into a one-night stand expecting intimacy is a borderline delusional wish, but I just need to hear it. Just once, even if it is a lie. It's the most embarrassingly desperate thing I've ever done. I should be happy when it's over, that he's given me what I was craving. But as I'm leaving, knowing that I'll never see him again, I can't help but feel that it's the last time I'll ever feel loved. Getting a taste just to never have it again might be the biggest mistake I've ever made. **Tell Me a Lie is a steamy MM hurt/comfort story with moderate angst that features an age-gap relationship between consenting adults. Please be advised that this story features content that may be triggering to some readers. For a list of TWs, please feel free to use the Look Inside feature.**

Publication Year: 2023