Page 98 of Tell No Lies

“It’s fine. When I got home, I could hear someone inside, but I knew Brandon wouldn’t be home.”

He nodded in confirmation.

“I assumed it was the person who’d left the note.”

Brandon stopped me. “So, you went in?”

I shrugged. “It made sense at the time. I brought my phone with me!” As if that explained anything.

“Yeah, I noticed that was the only thing you brought. Your bags were sitting outside the door when I got here.”

“Sorry. My instinct was to find out who it was.”

“Well, next time, why don’t you use that phone of yours and call me or the police or security. Maybe I should just have them escort you from now on.”

“No! That’s ridiculous!” He was treating me like a child!

Carter was nodding his head, agreeing with Brandon. “That’s actually a really good idea. Everyone coming and going should have to check with them. Even if they know us.”

Brandon agreed before I could argue my side. Great, a babysitter.

We finished filling in the holes of what happened by the time dinner arrived. Diane ordered it while they were waiting for the EMT to finish with me. She was always so on top of things.

They let me relocate to the living room as long as I allowed Brandon to carry me. They were being ridiculous about me relaxing, but I could get used to being treated like a princess.

After a few minutes of silence as we ate, Diane spoke up. “I hope this doesn’t affect your decision to let Aubrey go this weekend.” She winked at me as we waited for Brandon to answer.

“I don’t know. She lost consciousness. That’s kind of a big deal, Diane.”

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?”