Page 71 of Tell No Lies

“No, but thanks. I’m not really that upset. I haven’t been upset the whole time we’ve been fighting. I’m mad at him, but I’m not sad we’re not together anymore. Is that wrong?”

“I don’t think so. It probably means that deep down you knew it wasn’t meant to be.”

“Maybe.”

“I know things suck right now, but it will all work itself out soon.”

Biting back the urge to roll my eyes, I looked up and smiled at him. “Thanks, bro.”

☼ ☼ ☼

My weekend quickly went from quiet to depressing. Brandon invited Liv over in hopes of cheering me up, but I could only handle being third wheel to their much-needed alone time for so long. Their whispers and giggles reminded me of middle schoolers sitting in the back of a dark theater, and I finally gave up and excused myself to my room.

It was Saturday night, and I was sorting laundry. Alone. The new theme of my life.

I was almost done when I remembered my dance bag and dumped out the contents onto the floor. Cringing and moving quickly, I gathered the clothes and kicked my shoes off to the side.

An innocent-looking envelope remained behind. I stared down at it and ran through possibilities, even though I knew deep down it wasn’t a letter of apology from Mac or an invitation to a grand ball in my honor. Closing my eyes, I prayed I was wrong.

The note had been sitting in my bag since the day Mckayla stopped talking to me. Did it have to do with that? That wouldn’t make sense, since it was waiting for me before the fight.

Slowly, as if it might jump up and grab me, I picked up the envelope and walked out of my room. I knew better than to open it alone. I’d played that game, and it never ended well for me.

I shuffled into the living room, holding the note away from my body like it was poisonous. “Guys.”

Brandon turned around, and his grin immediately disappeared when he saw what I was holding. “Where did you get that?”

Liv was looking between me and Brandon, confused.

“It was in my car, but I forgot about it.”

He jumped up and took the envelope from me. “Have you opened it yet?”

“No.” I locked eyes with Liv and watched the recognition flood her expression. This was her first in-person experience with the drama that had become my life. “Please open it.”

“Do you want me to call the detectives?”

My shoulders dropped with my heart. When would this end? “Not yet.”

He didn’t look like he agreed, but after a moment he gave me a single nod. Slowly, his finger slid under the fold. Each tiny tear was a rip in my heart. A small step closer to my breaking point.

He tugged the note free and read it silently. His eyes fell closed, and he swore quietly, something I’d rarely heard him do, and judging by Liv’s face, it was a first for her to see him lose his composure.

“What does it say, Brandon?” I was stunned Liv had spoken first.

“I’m so sorry, Aubrey.”

My heartbeat increased against my ribs. “What?”

“It says …” He took a deep breath and read the words I never wanted to hear

Now you know how it feels to have your friends and life ripped away from you. Let’s see if you can survive on your own.

My heartbeat stopped. I was dead inside. Someone was doing this on purpose. Of course, I knew that. Mike and Mckayla hadn’t gotten the pictures from a friend, but knowing someone was directly behind this killed me. Someone hated me so much they wanted to take everything that mattered and rip it away.

“They’re isolating me? Why?”

Liv scooted closer and placed her arms around me, holding me like a scared child. I guessed I was. “Whoever is doing this was threatened by all of the support you have.”