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“Right. And family is the first place you run when you mess up?” I snort because we both know how far that is from the truth.
“That’s different.”
Oh, I could punch him. Somebody needs to. “Tripp, Marco didn’t call you because I begged him not to. I see now I put him between a rock and a hard place, but you’re being unfair.”
Tripp is shaking his head so hard and fast I feel my shot at scoring my point soaring away, like a helium-filled balloon loosed from a child’s grasp.
“You know, I can almost forgive the rest—we’re all human. But he kept a secret from me. A life-or-death secret about my baby sister. That’s not what a real friend does, Annalise. I’m sorry, but you can’t change my mind on this one. He wasn’t a true friend to me.”
I’m not always great with words. More often than not, they fail me until the moment has passed. But not this time. I laser-beam my stare and cast the full weight of my words behind it.
“Maybe not, Tripp. But Marco was a true friend tome.”
CHAPTER 36
Annalise
Right when it seemed I might be rounding a corner, the good old-fashioned flu slams me to the ground like a rogue wave. I’m semi-estranged from my family, but worst of all, Marco is out of my life. Gone. And if that isn’t enough, I lie here in Avery’s guest room, a bonus-type room that’s its own second story, knowing that in a matter of hours he’ll go like a lamb to the slaughter, offer his wrists, and disappear into a dungeon of concrete and steel. Yep, I feel like crud, and it’s a bitter irony that I know Marco’s arms would make it all better.
I’d like to wrap my arms around his broad shoulders, too. He puts on a happy face, the strong one, but I know, inside, turmoil rages.
Given his circumstances, how could it not?
Not to complain, but this guest bed is kind of springy, and since I’ve been on it for roughly eighteen hours, ever since sliding in from Lubbock early yesterday afternoon, its lack of support is becoming an issue. That and my dry mouth. I’ve long since emptied the last water bottle Avery delivered.
Given the bare suggestion of daybreak trickling through the curtain, I’m going to assume Avery might not be up for a while yet. Yes, it’s Sunday, and yes, church services are typically her routine, but on her last visit to check on me before midnight, she informed me she was missing this morning. The first half of the weekend was exhausting for everyone, but I think she’s reluctant to leave me alone. It’s alright. It’s not like I’m going to break. Been there, done that. I’m down but not out.
Throwing back the covers, empty water bottle in hand, I shuffle down to the living room. Across the way, my least favorite person, at least for the moment, sits at the breakfast table, sipping coffee as if he hasn’t a care in the world.
The rat.
Marco is up against the wall, yet his best friend is sure taking it in stride.
Tripp looks up from his tablet. “Hey. How’re you feeling?”
He doesn’t want to know. I drop into the nearest chair. “What are you doing here? The wedding’s not until December, you know.” I lift an eyebrow nastily, aware I’m in no place to throw stones on this score.
He tilts his head at me. “I wanted to stay close. And I slept on the sofa, by the way.”
Whatever. “I don’t need anyone keeping an eye on me.” I glare and snarl, but a raucous, ripe sneeze steals the intended sting from my protest. As I cover my face, Tripp shoves a handful of napkins into my free hand. I’m so sick of being sick.
My nose sounds like a trumpet when I blow it as clear as I can. After washing my hands at the sink, I return to my seat. All the while, Tripp’s eyes are on me. See, this is why I wanted him out of the loop. I knew he would hover. Stifle me with his worry.
He folds his tatted arms. “Someone’s got an attitude this morning.”
“As a matter of fact, I do. I still can’t believe you’re abandoning Marco.”
“I’m doing no such thing. I’ve done my part, and I think that’s enough. Considering.”
“Considering what?”
“You know, Lise, it’s not just the fact that he didn’t call me when you were sick. Fine, I’m glad he was there for you in that moment, but he lied to me for days about knowing where you were, when all along you were in the house, with him.”
“I was notwithhim.” Here I make the ever-favorite air quotes. I’ve noticed Marco does it too. “And for your information, he spent every night—and day—in the cabana once I arrived.”
Tripp’s eyes get all squinty.
“He was looking for hotels, but I told him he could stay. I felt bad throwing him out.”
