Page 10 of Tell No Lies

I interrupted. “Miss Amy kept us forever today, and I didn’t eat anything before. It was probably low blood sugar more than anything.”

Mckayla sat beside me, shaking her head profusely. “I promise I’ll keep an eye on her the whole time! If she starts acting odd or sick, I’ll make her rest and take her back early on one of the cruisers.”

I didn’t love that plan, but I nodded anyway. Going with her watching over me was better than sitting at home alone all weekend.

Diane must have agreed with me. “It’s only an hour trip on one of the express ferries. They won’t be that far, and the guys will watch out for them.” I knew I loved her for a reason.

I smiled and waited for Brandon to reconsider. Finally, he nodded.

Mckayla jumped up and threw her arms around him. “Thank you!”

I moved to stand up too, but Brandon pointed at me. “Sit. You may go as long as you promise to take it easy and call me if you feel sick at all.”

My cheeks hurt from smiling so much. “Okay, I promise!”

Four

Mckayla picked me up the next morning for school at Brandon’s request. Apparently, driving was too strenuous, but school wasn’t. I tried to say I was too exhausted to go, but Brandon used Catalina against me. Yeah, he was definitely figuring out the whole parenting thing.

A welcoming party waited for us when we pulled into the lot.

I glared at Mckayla, and she just smiled. “What? They were concerned about you, and I just kept them updated.”

“How did they know there was something to be concerned about?”

“Well, Mike called you several times, but you didn’t answer, so he started calling around. He asked me, and I hadn’t heard anything, so I called Brandon, and it was just after Carter called him. Anyway, Brandon asked me to get my mom and go over to you since we were closer.”

“So why is everyone waiting for us?”

She looked at the group and shrugged. “I told Mike that you were unconscious and the EMTs were checking on you. I guess he spread the word, but I did tell Talia, Alexis, and Sean … they deserved to know!”

I fell into the seat and groaned. “I don’t want to get out and be hounded.”

“They do it because they love you. Now come on, we’re going to be late.”

My door opened before I could reach for it. Mike bent down, looking at me. “Are you alright? I’ve been so worried.”

I grabbed my bag and took his hand, allowing him to help me out of the car. “Thanks. I’m just fine. Sorry I didn’t call you back. I didn’t look at my phone last night at all.”

He shut the door behind me and put his arm around my shoulders. “No problem. I just wish I could have been there for you.”

I smiled up at him as we walked toward the buildings. I was trying so hard not to get annoyed by people worrying about me. I wanted to say I could take care of myself, but after last night, that was obviously not true.

I let him guide me through the crowd of students and into our math class. When I sat down, Nick, the boy who sat in the row next to us, shot me a questioning look.

We leaned toward each other, meeting in the aisle.

“What’s up?” I whispered.

He followed my lead and whispered back. “Are you and Mike dating?”

My head shot back. “No, why do you ask?”

“I heard some of his friends talking about you two like you were a couple. Then you walked in with his arm around you. Looks like you are.”

I bit my bottom lip, thinking. Why would his friends say that? Did Mike think we were? “We’re just friends, Nick.”

He shrugged slightly. “Whatever you say.”