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“I’m not sure. I was hoping you could tell me.” He gives me a pointed look, making me even more convinced that he’s somehow figured it out.
“I’m sorry I still don’t know anything,” I lie, taking a step back. “I don’t remember. If that’s what you’re asking.”
“You’re lying.”
“What?”
“Did I mumble?” he snaps, his frustration growing. "It’s time we had an honest conversation. Don’t you think? And it’s not just you. We’ve both been holding back.”
My chest tightens, and I feel like I’m being choked, but I push through it. “Sure. Okay. How about we go back to the diner and talk there?” I say, standing tall, shocked that I’m able to keep the fear out of my voice.
“Nope. Here is good. I’ll go first. Did you consider it odd that you were never accused of Jade’s death? If you were the only one there at the time, and you survived, then it’s safe to assume you had something to do with it, right?”
“What? No!” My heart races as a new level of panic runs through me.He definitely knows.
“How come no one ever accused you?” he asks, his tone scarily even.
“Because I didn’t do it. Because I couldn’t remember. Because they said we weren't alone.”Shit! Shut up, Willow.
“That’s right.You weren’t alone.” He smirks as though he’s backed me into a corner. “But was that person me? Was I there?”
My head whips back as that information slaps me in the face.Why would he ask that?
“What? N—” I cut myself off because I’m not supposed to know that, so instead I fake a gasp. “Were you there?”
“No, I wasn’t there. You know I wasn’t. But Jade’s parents pinned it on me anyway.”
Huh?“I don’t understand.”
“Of course you don’t.” His voice rises as he moves closer. “Because you know what happened,” he spits out. “Stop. Fucking. Pretending.”
“I don’t. I don’t remember.” I shake my head frantically, hoping he can’t see through my lies.
“Bullshit!” he yells again, louder this time. “I was blamed foreverything.Everything. ‘Innocent little Willow wouldn’t hurt anyone,’” he mocks, putting on a voice. “‘They were best friends. She was like family.’” He shakes his head as he growls, and I use the opportunity to subtly step back.
“You said no one knew about you and Jade. Why would they blame you?” I ask, finally putting some distance between us. Not that it lasts, as he’s in my face seconds later.
“It doesn’t matter what I said. The point is that they found out about us and tried to pin Jade’s death on me. Only they couldn’t make it stick. The best they could do was try to convince the police that I’d pushed her with my actions.”
What?“Jade didn’t jump.”God, I need to stop talking.
Alex laughs. “For someone that doesn’t ‘remember,’”—he sneers, using quote fingers—“you seem pretty certain about that. How could you possibly know?”
“I…I guess, I don’t. It’s just a feeling. She was happy.”
“Was she? Are you sure?”Yes! No. I was. But that was before I knew about the drugs. Oh God. The drugs. Is that what this is about?
My heart palpitates as the rest of my body goes numb, the reality of the situation finally hitting me. I have to stop myself from breaking down as Alex eyes me suspiciously, like he’s reading my mind, before laughing again.
I turn away, but he leans forward and grabs my chin, forcing me to face him. “Willow, Willow, Willow. Let’s go for a walk. But first, why don’t you message your boyfriend to tell him where you are. In case you end up lost like last time. I heard you talking to him earlier, so I know he’s on his way. We don’t want to worry him.”
Jesus. “No, thank you. I’m fine.”That feels like a trap.
“It wasn’t a question,” he snaps, grabbing my wrist tightly before pulling my phone from the holder around my arm. “Text him. Now.”
I do as I’m told, stumbling over the keys as I rush out a text, telling him I’m near the lookout.
I hover over the send button, seriously considering holding back because I’m so terrified of what’s about to happen, but Alex rips the phone from my hand, making the decision for me, before shoving it in his shirt pocket.
