Page 120 of Tell No Lies

Talia raised a brow but nodded without a word and started handing out plates.

After we all had food and a drink, we sat around the island. I caught them sharing curious glances, so I decided it was time.

“Alright. Moment of truth, you guys.” I hesitated, trying to figure the best way to break the news.

“Dramatic pause?” Alexis giggled, obviously amused at herself.

“Sorry, I don’t know where to start.”

Talia gathered her hair into a ponytail, catching my attention. “Try the beginning. We’re here to listen and help. No pressure.”

I smiled gratefully at her. “The notes have started again, and whoever left them included pictures of me from last weekend.”

I looked at each of them, gauging whether or not I could go on. They had various looks of shock, so I thought it would be best to power through before the questions came.

“I found the pictures in an envelope next to my bed on Monday morning, and there were two messages on my computer. Brandon and Carter were able to isolate the internet service provider that sent the messages.” One more sigh before I dropped the bomb. “It’s someone here. Someone we might know is doing this to me, again.”

I counted to five in my head before the questions poured out. I shot a desperate glance to Mckayla, silently begging for her help.

“Guys, stop! That’s all we know right now. Asking the same questions we already have isn’t going to help.”

Mike looked angry—scary angry. “Why is this the first I’m hearing about it?”

My mouth opened and closed. I was shocked that he was more upset with me for not telling him than he was with the situation as a whole. “I’ve been trying to process this, Mike. It’s been an insane couple of days. I only told Mac this morning.”

He crossed his arms and stared me down. “You aren’t alone this time. I want to be here for you, but I can’t do that if I don’t know it’s going on. You should have called me. I would have come over.”

“I appreciate that, but I haven’t been alone. Brandon has been here and even took a day off work, and Carter has been here when Brandon can’t be.”

“Carter? I don’t think that’s appropriate.”

I tried not to react, but his words shocked me. What did he know about Carter?

Talia saved me. “Relax. Carter is Brandon’s best friend. Nothing would happen there. She’s like his little sister.”

Ouch. That’s my worst nightmare. Carter thinking of me as a little sister.

“I just wanted you guys to know what’s going on. Brandon asked me to plan ahead and never go anywhere alone. I’m pretty covered at school and at dance, but I was hoping you guys would be willing to chaperone if needed.”

They each nodded in agreement. I let out a sigh of relief. That had gone better than I had expected, but the girls had made it easy on me.

☼ ☼ ☼

Things went pretty well through the rest of that week and the following one, but by the end, I was beginning to feel as if I was under house arrest. I hadn’t been on my own in eleven days.

Even leaving the dance studio without a chaperone was out of the question. As if the person planning on attacking me would run away at the sight of me walking with Cassie.

I went through the motions of school, but I felt like a zombie. The nightmares had come back with a vengeance. I barely slept, and it was starting to show.

Today, during lunch, the girls were talking and tried to include me, but I was zoning out. Suddenly someone slammed their hands down on the table in front on me. I jumped and looked up, meeting Tucker’s gaze.

He had a slight smile as he leaned down and whispered, “Party tonight. Call me if you’re interested in breaking free.”

By the time his words registered, he was walking away with Andy.

Mckayla leaned over and asked what he said, but I just shook my head. His words had woken something within me. Going somewhere new with Tucker might be a good idea. Otherwise, I was going to go insane soon. I needed a break from the monotony … but there was no way Brandon would approve. Or the girls. Or Mike. Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea.

Later that night, I sat staring at the walls in my room. It felt as if they were closing in on me. I was bored out of my mind. Reading out on the balcony didn’t help; neither did watching a movie. Brandon was at work again tonight, so he had security on guard. I refused to call someone to babysit me this time. Feeling like a burden to my friends was not high on my list of priorities, and I felt as if I was close to crossing that line.