Page 22 of Ask No Questions

She dropped back against the head rest with a dramatic sigh. “Don’t tell me he got you too. I swear every girl at this school is in love with him, and he doesn’t notice. All he cares about is surfing and the ocean.”

This was by far the worst news of the day. If no other girl in the school could get his attention, what chance did I have?

I was still thinking about Luke and what Mckayla had told me later that night while I was trying to find something to make for dinner. One downside to living with a guy: there is never any food. It really makes no sense, considering how much they ate. I finally gave up and began searching the drawers for to-go menus when Brandon walked in. “Hey, Aubrey. What are you looking for?”

“I was going to make dinner but gave up when all I could find was protein powder and a box of mac and cheese. We really need to make a trip to a grocery store before we starve to death.”

“Why would you do that when there are so many options at our fingertips?” He pulled out the drawer next to me and handed me a stack of menus. “They’re categorized first by cuisine, then by how late they’re open.”

“You should really focus that energy on something more productive. Like grocery shopping.” I began shuffling through the stack, looking for something appetizing. “Does anything sound good to you?”

“I haven’t had curry for a few weeks, and there’s a pretty good place a few blocks away that delivers. Let’s do that, and we can watch a movie or something.”

I agreed, and he picked up the right menu and began dialing. While he took care of ordering, I opened the dishwasher and started putting the dishes away. Finishing, I sat down at the island with a bottle of water and waited for him to hang up.

“You survived your first day! How was it?” He seemed to have just remembered and was suddenly an attentive parent.

“It was pretty good. I made some new friends. My phone got passed around my math class, so I now have every guy’s number, although, most of them saved theirs under weird names, so I don’t really know who’s talking to me when I get a text. My classes are all right. I’m on the yearbook staff with Mckayla which should be entertaining.”

“Sounds like an exciting first day.” He smirked as he walked to the fridge to get us drinks. “Any cute boys?” He imitated a girl’s voice a little too well, especially with his hands on his popped out hips.

“There were a few. One that may or may not be my future husband, but Mac told me every other girl in the world loves him, so I have no chance.” I sulked, looking down at my bottle.

“You’re kidding me, right? You have the best chance right now as the new girl! All the guys are going to be interested in you, but I would hold off choosing just one. Play the field while you can.”

“I don’t plan on dating anyone for a long time. I need some time after everything that happened. I just want to get to know him. He told me he would teach me to surf, but I don’t know how serious he was.”

“If a guy suggests something like that, he definitely wants you to take him up on it.” His confidence was encouraging, but only slightly.

“Maybe. Plus, winter formal is coming up, and its girl’s choice. I know the girls will find dates, and I don’t want to go alone in their group. I should try hanging out with him, and maybe we could go together as friends.”

“I’m sure he would love it if you asked him. But don’t let the other girls pressure you into anything, even if it’s unintentional. With everything that’s happened, it’s probably a good idea to take your time and enjoy getting to know your friends.”

I just nodded, thinking back to everything that happened before I came here.

“You never finished telling me what went down there. Do you want to talk about it?”

“I guess.” I thought back to the outdoor café where we started this conversation. Hopefully, I could keep my composure this time.

“You don’t have to, Bree. I just think it might help to get it all out.”

“You’re probably right. I told you about the party and what happened, I just didn’t tell you who it was, right?” He gave one nod again remaining silent allowing me to tell him at my own pace.

“When I looked back after I was grabbed, I saw Morgan—the tutor mom had hired to help me prepare for the SATs. He was about twenty and attended the University. He looked the part of the All-American boy—wavy blond hair, handsome face, dressed like a prep school boy. He was well-known in Mom’s circle because he worked with charities in the community. He started coming over once a week in the spring to get me ready in time for the SATs last fall.”

I wished that was the end of it. It should have been. I scored well on my first attempt, and it was enough for the universities on my list. But he worked his way in and held on.

“He convinced Mom I could use more help and started tutoring me in all my classes, even though I had near perfect grades. By this spring, he was coming more often. Mom ended up giving him a key and the access code to the security system so it would be easier for him to get in. At first, he was strictly professional, but gradually, he started acting like we were friends. He was older and in college so of course, I wanted him to like me, I wanted to impress him.”

I sighed. Hating how blind I’d been. How naive.

“I thought he’d stop when summer started, but he and Mom decided he could help me get ahead for this year. Around June is when he started making little advances, nothing too inappropriate, he would put his arm around me or hold my hand when we studied. I was uncomfortable since I was dating Derek, but I didn’t want to offend him.”

I watched Brandon sitting on the counter, staring at the floor. I didn’t want to make him angry, and I knew if I continued, he would be. He met my eyes finally and shook his head. “I don’t like where this is going, Aubrey. He violated your trust. You’re just a kid!”

“That’s not all of it. Not even close… are you sure you want to know this?”

He nodded and looked back down at the ground.