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I wiped a tear away as I shook my head. “Why do they twist everything around?”
Then, it hit me. If this picture had been sent to Mitch and Michelle, Wyatt must have gotten it also.
“Wyatt,” I whispered.
“Already sent him a text and told him it wasn’t what it looked like. I explained that you turned and ran into Jacob, and he grabbed ahold of you.”
Chewing on my lip, I asked, “What did he say?”
Mitch looked at me and then Michelle. “He didn’t reply back.”
My heart sank.
I couldn’t really blame him. I’d been ignoring him for days.
Sighing, I pushed off the tree and walked toward the river. If only my parents would just let me leave…
The thought of not seeing Wyatt every day scared me to death. As much as I didn’t want to admit it, I was over the moon when Wyatt had announced he would be playing for Baylor. We’d be at the same college. What would it be like when I saw him with another girl?
“Sky, why don’t you call him?” Michelle asked.
My eyes closed. “I’m ruining your evening,” I said with a forced smile, turning around to face Mitch and Michelle. “How about y’all take me home and then go do something fun?”
Mitch walked up to me and took me in his arms. I wanted more than anything to cry, but I was not going to let whoever the hell had been sending the pictures and writing the notes win. They would not get the satisfaction of seeing me cry or react ever again.
“I’m so sorry, Sky. I hate that this is happening to you.”
I quickly wiped a tear away before stepping back and shrugging. “What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger, right?”
“That’s right!” Michelle said, hooking her arm with mine. “I think we need ice cream!”
Laughing, I shook my head. “Y’all go get some. Honestly, I’m ready to go home.”
Mitch pulled up to our house and dropped me off. Waving good-bye to them, I slowly turned and headed into the house. Before I reached the door, I turned and looked up and down the street. The hairs on the back of my neck rose as my breathing picked up.
Someone was watching me. When I was trying to see if I could see anyone, someone called out my name. I screamed and spun around to see my father.
“Jesus, Skylar. What in the world is wrong with you?”
Placing my hand over my heart, I took in a deep breath. “Daddy! You nearly scared me to death.”
“Why are you standing out here?”
Looking over my shoulder one more time, I shook my head. “It felt like someone was watching me.”
He walked down and put his arm around my shoulders. “No one is out here. Let’s go inside and have a bowl of ice cream.”
Glancing up at him, I gave him a suspicious look. “Did Mitch text you?”
He smiled and winked. “Michelle did, and she texted your mother. Said you would need ice cream when you got home.”
Not being able to contain my smile, I busted out laughing as my father and I walked into the house and to the kitchen.
My mother was already in the kitchen, scooping out double-chocolate ice cream. “Want to talk about it?” she asked.
Taking a spoon from her, I shook my head. “Same crap, different day.”
I noticed the look my parents exchanged, but I pretended I hadn’t seen it. The last thing I wanted to do was talk to them about this. I had already brought enough heartache to our family.
Walking over to the refrigerator, my father pulled out the chocolate syrup. “Then, this calls for an intervention with chocolate syrup.”
With a giggle, I held my bowl out toward him.
I knew it was wrong of me to keep the notes and pictures hidden from my parents. The last thing I wanted to do was worry my father though. If he had another heart attack, I’d never forgive myself.
Forcing a wide smile, I replied, “I feel better already!”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
* * *
Wyatt
SKYLAR HAD TAKEN to eating lunch in her car or the library. At least now she would smile and say hi to me, but behind her eyes was a sadness I couldn’t bear.
Glancing up, I saw her walking down the hallway. Her face was down, like it always was.
I still called her cell phone every day. I wasn’t going to give up on her, and I wanted her to know that.
Last night, I’d stopped by Pizza Mia. Skylar had done her best to ignore me, but I wouldn’t stop trying to talk to her. Eva had eventually ended up taking over my table. I had taken my pizza to go, and then I’d sat and eaten in my truck at the river.
“Hey, Sky,” I said, stopping in front of her.
I’d usually leave her alone between classes because I knew it brought attention she didn’t want.
