Page 89 of Tell No Lies

“Sorry! I forgot the rings in my car!” He stepped into line with me and smiled at my shocked face. “I remembered before it mattered, okay?”

“You’re the best man!”

He pushed a stray piece of hair away from my face. “Yeah, and I got it taken care of.” He winked as the music started playing. The couples in front of us began the procession. Mckayla looked back and smiled as if it was her wedding day before stepping out with Sean.

Now it was our turn. The moment Carter and I stepped outside and I saw Brandon standing there in his suit, I started crying. Luckily, I was prepared with waterproof mascara; otherwise, I would have singlehandedly ruined the wedding pictures.

The smile on his face was full of nerves and pure bliss. I could tell the moment he saw Liv walk out by the change in his face. He was suddenly in awe. He wiped away a tear and beamed like a fool.

This was the exact reaction every groom should have to seeing his bride on their wedding day.

I split from Carter and watched Liv make her way to my brother. Her eyes were glassy, but she was holding it together better than I was.

Since the moment my brother had decided to propose to Liv, I began counting down the seconds until she would officially be my sister.

Liv passed off her bouquet to me and gave me a kiss on the cheek. I turned with her to face Brandon. I smiled down at Diane and Steve sitting in the front row and beamed at my mom and Neil. It had taken time, but we’d managed to repair the damage Morgan had caused. Though, I never wanted to move back. I’d found my home at Bayside.

Through the entire ceremony, I alternated between crying, laughing, and staring at Carter.

After everything we’d been through, Brandon deserved happiness, and it was coming true for him.

My only hope was that I would follow in his footsteps.

Dying to know what happens next?

Mckayla’s story continues in Make No Mistake

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One

It was amazing how drastically life could change in a short period of time. Just a few months ago, I was living with my mom and stepfather in Chicago. I had a boyfriend worthy of any Ralph Lauren ad, as well as the captain position on my school’s dance team. Things had seemed picture-perfect, until Morgan came into my life.

He’d photographed me, stalked me, and attacked me. Morgan had destroyed my life and taken my innocence all in one night. Because of him, I’d been sent halfway across the country to Bayview, California, to live with my older brother, Brandon.

It took us a few weeks to find our rhythm, but for the first time in years I could honestly say I felt at home. He gave me more freedom than I was used to because he trusted me. Oh and because he rarely left me alone.

Mckayla, our cousin, was on babysitting duty. Brandon let her know he would be late tonight, so she’d told our friends, Talia and Alexis.

They each texted their boyfriends, Mark and Justin, who gained official status after proving how truly amazing they were on that horrible night.

Then again, any guy would look perfect when compared to Luke, who ran far and fast the minute the police showed up to take my statement. Apparently, I was drama, and he didn’t have time for that in his life. What a catch, that guy.

The girls had sent out the bat signal tonight, and Mike appeared with half the football team in tow. It was now ten, and we were on our second movie, guys’ pick this time, and our fifth box of pizza.

I was cuddled up in a blanket, eating my third slice of pepperoni when my phone buzzed under my pillow. I checked the screen and smiled as I answered.

“Before you ask, I’m not alone. Apparently, someone let it slip that you were going to be late, and the troops are here.” I chuckled quietly, expecting Brandon to laugh along, but he was silent.

Eventually he said, “Don’t make a joke about your safety, Aubrey. I just got off the phone with the officers who are looking over Morgan’s case.”

Dread pooled within me. “Oh?” I whispered back, so I wouldn’t catch anyone’s attention.

“He never left. He’s still locked up … in a psychiatric hospital.”

“What?” My heart dropped. Crawling over the blankets so I didn’t block the TV, I made it out of the room.

“He isn’t in prison. The officers told me there was an agreement made between the families, and he ended up in a hospital to receive treatment.”