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That’s news to me, and I don’t know what to make of the way my heart clenches. “I didn’t know that.”
“It isn’t like we talked much.”
“Why did you decide to attend Clayton U instead?”
Eric doesn’t answer, so I chance another peek at his face. His jaw is tense. Unfortunately, I don’t have a chance to press him. We’re about to enter the church.
The first person we see inside is Carol, Hansen’s younger sister. I haven’t seen her since Hansen’s funeral. After his death, she went to live with her aunt out of state. She looks exactly like I remember, with her long blonde hair and big blue eyes. She always reminded me of a porcelain doll, pretty and perfect. But today, her eyes are dull and a little sunk in. She’s lost weight too. I can’t believe she’s still reeling over her brother’s death. Or maybe there’s something else going on with her.
She smiles in our direction, and her gaze lingers on Eric. No surprise there. I’ve always suspected she had a crush on him. Maybe she was the one he was supposed to meet last night. I get crazy jealous again and can’t help giving her a death glare.
After she greets our folks, she pulls me aside and whispers, “I didn’t think you’d come, Val.”
“Why would you think that?”
She takes a folded manila envelope from her jacket pocket and gives it to me. “Because of this.”
Frowning, I open the envelope. There are pictures inside, and only when I get them halfway out of the envelope do I see what they are. My stomach twists savagely in my belly, making me sick. God, I might throw up after all.
I hastily shove those disgusting pictures back in the envelope. “Where did you find these?”
Her eyes are bright, full of unshed tears. “I’m sorry that Hansen did that to you, but he’s not the real monster of the story.” She glances over her shoulder, and I follow her line of sight. She’s looking at her father.
“Did your father take these?” I whisper.
“I—I have to go.” She hurries away before I can get in another word.
My body is shaking, and my throat is closing. I have to get out of here.
Before I can move, Eric steps closer. “What was that about?”
“Nothing.” I pivot and walk out of the church.
The pest follows me. “Val, where are you going?”
“Leave me alone, Eric.”
The crowd that is shuffling into the church turns to look at us. Great. An audience.
Eric grabs my arm, seeming not to care that we have witnesses. “I’m not going to let you leave until you tell me what’s in that envelope Carol gave you.”
Fuck. Of course he saw the entire exchange. I’m surprised he didn’t get a peek at the disgusting pictures too. He’s tall, and if he was close enough, he might have been able to see them.
“Let go!” I yank my arm free. “You’re not the boss of me.”
“I’m just trying to help.”
“You wanna help? Tell my father I went home.”
“How are you getting home?”
“Have you heard of Uber?” I take my phone out of my purse.
He narrows his eyes. “Are you really going home?”
I pause and hold his gaze. What does he mean? “Where else would I go?”
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