Page 88 of Joey

“What?” Joey says.

“I think that’s a sign that deep down they’re actually a good person.”

“What the fuck are we talking about?” Huck says.

“Shut up,” Joey snaps. “Is that… is that what happened with you, Brooke?”

“No, seriously,” Huck says. “What the fuck are we talking about?”

“If you would shut the fuck up,” Joey growls, “she’ll tell us.”

“I was kidnapped,” I say, looking at Huck. I know I told Joey this secret was just for him, but it’s not. We can’t all truly be together unless they all have my secret.

“What?” Wald says. “When?”

“When I was sixteen.”

There’s a moment of silence when that comes out. And I might not know them all that well, but I know them well enough. Sixteen is a magic number because I’ve already talked about it once.

“You’re not really Brooke Alder,” Wald says.

I nod. “I am. But… I wasn’t always.”

“I don’t get it,” Huck says. “How’s that different from what she already told us?”

He’s looking at me. There’s some lights on in the front yard. Decorative ones that spotlight the elaborate topiaries. So I can just barely make out his face.

“I didn’t lie.” Then I can’t help it. I laugh. Because I’m such a liar. Such a fucking liar. And this isn’t even a lie. “His daughter died,” I say.

“Who?” Huck says.

“The man who kidnapped you?” Joey asks.

“Yeah,” I say. “His daughter died. And…” I take a deep breath. Because this is my ultimate secret. One I’ve never told anyone. “He was on vacation in Mexico and… so was I. Well, mine wasn’t a vacation. My mom’s boyfriend did business in Acapulco. He told me later—my new father, I mean—he told me he was looking for a girl. Someone to take her place.”

“Jesus Christ,” Wald says.

“No,” I say, turning to him. “It wasn’t like that.”

Wald huffs. “You’re kidding me, right?”

“He was sad and—”

“Brooke!” Wald says. “Don’t fucking excuse this like it’s all good. It’s not. I don’t care what you say next, he kidnapped you.”

“I didn’t care,” I say. “You don’t understand. It was a better offer.”

“A better offer?” Wald says. Like this is the most ridiculous thing he’s ever heard.

“What’s your real name?” Huck says.

“I am Brooke. There is no other me, you guys. That is my real name.”

Huck chews his lips.

Wald blinks his eyes and shakes his head.

And Joey… Joey just… stares at me. Blank.