Coming back from a work trip, I deliberately took the long way. Not because of roads or scenery — because the long way meant I'd roll in "too late" for my cousin's engagement party. Manufactured a delay on purpose so the miss would look accidental.
Everyone bought the traffic story. Of course they did. Traffic's the most believable lie in the country.
The real reason wasn't anything against my cousin. I just didn't have it in me that week. Didn't have the energy to put on the face, do the rounds, be warm and celebratory and "so happy for you" for four hours when I was running on empty. And explaining that felt harder and colder than just letting a highway take the blame.
Sometimes a lie is the softer option. I picked the highway. Nobody got hurt, and I got to sit in my car in silence instead of a hall full of people I'd have to perform for.