Page 126 of Tell No Lies

“I’ve done everything I could to show you I wanted to be here for you. From day one, I went out of my way to watch over you and make you comfortable here. I don’t know how much longer I can take it, though.”

I looked over my shoulder and felt chilled at the pained expression on his face.

“I do everything I can for you. All I’ve asked from you in return is to let me in, to call me when you needed anything, but you’ve never been able to do that. I’ll always be here if you need me, Aubrey, but don’t expect me to make the first move anymore. I’m done being your backup.”

My heart broke with each word. He was right. He gave me everything he had, and in return, I took him for granted. I just expected him to be there for me without me doing anything in return.

As I watched him walk away, it set in just how much I cared for him, but it was too late now. I guess it was true: you never knew a good thing until it was gone.

☼ ☼ ☼

I should have known Mike’s reaction was a sign of things to come. Mckayla asked how Carter was doing, but otherwise left me alone. The other girls kept their space as well. Apparently, they felt snubbed that I had chosen Tucker over them.

Cassie had asked me at dance on Sunday what had happened, and she had filled in the others. She was the only one that seemed to understand I needed to get out on my own. Although she hadn’t agreed with my decision either, she was willing to act as a buffer between me and the girls.

Lunch proved to be the hardest to get through. When I walked up to our table, I stared at the backs of my friends for a few seconds before turning in search of a place to hide.

Just as I was beginning to let myself sink into a pity party for one, I spotted Gage. He looked up and caught my eye. Changing his direction, he reached me with a look of concern. “Are you alright?”

I looked up to meet his eyes and wondered if he would be just as mad at me if I told him what happened. Shaking my head, I looked down at our feet. He was my last friend, and I didn’t think I could handle him being mad at me too.

“Sorry, but mind reading is one skill I’ve yet to master. What’s going on?”

I sighed and kept my gaze down. “I made some mistakes this weekend, and now everyone is mad at me.”

“Story of my life.” I felt his arm slide around my shoulders and let myself sink into him. “What happened?”

I considered not telling him, but Mike’s words came back to me. I needed to let people in, even when it was hard. “I went to a party with Tucker and Andy from the basketball team, and they ended up leaving me stranded there. I called my brother’s friend to come and get me, and on our way back, someone attacked him. He ended up in the hospital overnight, and it’s all my fault.”

When I finally looked up, Gage was looking at me as if I’d just grown another head. “I think I’m missing some crucial information.”

Oh, right. I forgot he didn’t know about the notes from the stalker, or the stalker’s existence for that matter. “I was kind of grounded, so my brother’s mad at me for leaving with two guys I didn’t really know and lying to him. Plus, his best friend was hurt because of me. Mike’s mad because I didn’t call him, and I went and hung out with Tucker instead. The girls are mad for the same reason, I think. They aren’t talking to me at the moment.”

“Huh.”

“Still not making sense?”

He guided me to a bench and sat down next to me. “I kind of get why your brother is upset. You were grounded, and you left to go to a party with guys he didn’t know. My parents would be pissed if I did that. You said your friend was attacked?”

I nodded as he continued.

“That can’t possibly be your fault … unless you were the one who attacked him?”

He gave me a funny look that made me giggle.

“Didn’t think so. Mike is jealous, but we’ve known that for a while.” He gave me a squeeze and laughed. “Your friends are probably confused about everything that happened. You should try talking to them.” He looked down at me and waited for me to respond.

“But they just ignored me.”

“I never thought of you as someone who takes no for an answer.” He cocked one eyebrow as he looked down at me.

I fought the urge to stick out my tongue at him. “Fine.”

“That’s my girl! Come on, I’ll walk you back over there. They’ll be so distracted by their hatred for me that they’ll forget all about being mad at you.”

I shook my head but accepted his hand and stood up. When he tried to release his grip, I squeezed tighter. I needed one person to be on my side right now.

As we approached my normal lunch table, he whispered encouragement in my ear. I took a deep breath and tried to get everyone’s attention. “Hey, guys? I want to talk to you all.”