Page 1 of Tell No Lies

One

It was amazing how drastically life could change in a short period of time. Just a few months ago, I was living with my mom and stepfather in Chicago. I had a boyfriend worthy of any Ralph Lauren ad, as well as the captain position on my school’s dance team. Things had seemed picture-perfect, until Morgan came into my life.

He’d photographed me, stalked me, and attacked me. Morgan had destroyed my life and taken my innocence all in one night. Because of him, I’d been sent halfway across the country to Bayview, California, to live with my older brother, Brandon.

It took us a few weeks to find our rhythm, but for the first time in years I could honestly say I felt at home. He gave me more freedom than I was used to because he trusted me. Oh and because he rarely left me alone.

Mckayla, our cousin, was on babysitting duty. Brandon let her know he would be late tonight, so she’d told our friends, Talia and Alexis.

They each texted their boyfriends, Mark and Justin, who gained official status after proving how truly amazing they were on that horrible night.

Then again, any guy would look perfect when compared to Luke, who ran far and fast the minute the police showed up to take my statement. Apparently, I was drama, and he didn’t have time for that in his life. What a catch, that guy.

The girls had sent out the bat signal tonight, and Mike appeared with half the football team in tow. It was now ten, and we were on our second movie, guys’ pick this time, and our fifth box of pizza.

I was cuddled up in a blanket, eating my third slice of pepperoni when my phone buzzed under my pillow. I checked the screen and smiled as I answered.

“Before you ask, I’m not alone. Apparently, someone let it slip that you were going to be late, and the troops are here.” I chuckled quietly, expecting Brandon to laugh along, but he was silent.

Eventually he said, “Don’t make a joke about your safety, Aubrey. I just got off the phone with the officers who are looking over Morgan’s case.”

Dread pooled within me. “Oh?” I whispered back, so I wouldn’t catch anyone’s attention.

“He never left. He’s still locked up … in a psychiatric hospital.”

“What?” My heart dropped. Crawling over the blankets so I didn’t block the TV, I made it out of the room.

“He isn’t in prison. The officers told me there was an agreement made between the families, and he ended up in a hospital to receive treatment.”

My mother is a liar.

He cleared his throat. “I talked to Mom.”

“And?” I closed my bedroom door behind me.

“She didn’t want the press to get ahold of the story, so she kept things hush-hush by keeping everything out of the court. She had her lawyer settle with Morgan’s. As long as he receives treatment for his illness, they’ll drop the charges. His original plea was insanity, so he got what he wanted, and so did Mom. He’s not in prison, and the press stayed out of things.”

“How could she do that?” I slid down against the wall.

“She probably thought she was protecting you. I can’t explain her actions.”

“She was protecting herself.” I nearly growled the words.

“We’ll deal with her later. Right now, we have to focus on what’s happening here. The police said they ran background checks on his contacts in and outside of the hospital. They found nothing. There’s no connection to you, our family, or anyone in our area. This doesn’t make sense.”

“Maybe they were right, then. Maybe it was just some stupid prank.” Even I could hear the desperation in my voice. I needed to believe this.

“You and I both know that’s not true.” I could picture him rolling his eyes.

“I know, but sometimes I wish it was.”

“I’m sorry, Aubrey. I wish there was more I could do. I’m supposed to take care of you and protect you now.”

It was my turn to roll my eyes. “It’s not your fault. I know you’re doing everything you can. We just have to let the police do their job.”

He sighed into the phone before responding. “Yeah. Right. Well, I wanted to let you know that things are running behind. I don’t know when I’ll make it home. Could you ask one of the girls to stay with you?”

“Yeah, no problem. Just finish your project.”