Page 103 of Tell No Lies

Baby? What was going on tonight? I was overwhelmed trying to understand these guys.

Aubrey: Goodnight, Mike.

I hoped he didn’t take it wrong, but I couldn’t figure out how to reply to his flirty messages. This was going to be an interesting weekend.

Six

Time was frozen. The clock wasn’t moving anymore. I had my head in my hands, leaning forward in my desk. Chemistry wasn’t too hard to get through on a normal day, but it was unbearable when I knew freedom and the weekend were on the other side of the bell. Normally, my game of avoiding eye contact with Luke helped speed things up, but not today. He even broke the rules and smiled at me. That stupid, heartbreaking smile that drew me in from the beginning. Jerk.

I checked the clock again and saw the second hand tick once. Was it broken? I reached down and slid my phone out of the pocket in my bag. It was the same. Why was the world plotting against me?

Mr. Steen droned on and on about atomic mass or weight or something. I debated on focusing and taking notes, but reconsidered.

Talia had informed us this morning that she’d convinced Caleb, the boy who owned the second boat, to let us have one of the suites—meaning we would have a bed, shower, and electricity while those less fortunate had to camp on the island. She hadn’t even bothered trying to get the boys situated with us. She claimed it was every girl for herself.

I ran through the list of things I’d packed. Nothing came to mind that I might have forgotten, and I could survive the weekend with what I had. Brandon had made me promise to keep my phone charged and on me at all times, so there would be no excuse for being unavailable.

I really hoped he would take advantage of this time alone, but I knew he would probably end up working. Maybe I could get Carter to convince him. I glanced back up at Mr. Steen, but he was on a roll, pointing at the periodic table.

I lifted my phone out of my bag and opened to a new message.

Aubrey: Can you do me a favor?

Carter Blackwell: Depends …

Aubrey: On what?

Carter Blackwell: What’s in it for me?

I bit my lip, thinking. Food always won with him.

Aubrey: I’ll make you dinner on Sunday when I get back.

Carter Blackwell: Done. What do you need?

I covered my face with my hand to hide my smile. That was too easy.

Aubrey: Make Brandon take Liv out. They need a weekend off.

Carter Blackwell: I’ll see what I can do.

Aubrey: Thanks. Have a good weekend.

Carter Blackwell: I’ll try. XX

What? Now it was XX! What did that mean? I knew I would have to ask the girls for their opinion, but I wasn’t sure if I wanted to tell them who said it. I knew they all thought Carter was cute, and he was always around when they were over, so they liked him. I didn’t know what they would say about this, though. He was older. He was also so sweet and caring. And so very, very handsome.

The bell rang, interrupting my daydream. Well, that was one good way to pass the time. I threw my things into my bag and slid my phone into my pocket.

I saw Mckayla walking ahead of me with Sean. I called out, making them turn. When I caught up with them, we joined the masses heading out to the parking lot. Mckayla was bouncing as she walked, practically skipping.

“Someone’s excited.”

She turned and stuck out her tongue, a gesture that I returned.

Sean laughed at us then waved at Mike, who was walking toward us with a hundred-watt smile. He looked as excited as Mckayla.

“Hey, guys, we’re meeting up over here to make sure everyone has a ride and knows where to park.”