Page 124 of Tell No Lies

“Then why is he asleep?” I blurted it out without thinking.

“We gave him some medications so his body could rest and recuperate. He’ll be ready to go home in the morning.”

Relief filled me. Carter was going to be all right. I reached toward the bed and took his hand in mine.

This was all my fault. Brandon knew that, and Carter would agree.

I didn’t notice Brandon stand from the chair across from me, so I jumped when he put his hand on my shoulder. When I met his eyes, I saw worry and fear.

“Let’s get home. We’ll come back in the morning and bring him home.”

There was nothing I could say to justify me staying, so I stood and followed him out of the room.

He was killing me with his silence. He was stoic as he drove me home and led me to the elevator and into our home without a word.

Once we got to the kitchen, he nodded toward the island, so I took a seat on one of the stools. He leaned against the counter across from me and folded his arms as he let out a sigh.

I could hear my heart beat in my chest. The room was so still.

“I was never trying to punish you, Aubrey. I’ve been trying my best to keep you safe. If you needed to get out, why didn’t you just ask me?”

I tried to interrupt, but he held up his hand to silence me.

“Do you not trust me? Have I done something to make you feel like you can’t come to me for anything?” The guilt he was pouring on me was torture, but he didn’t stop. “Leaving without telling me and going to a stranger’s party is one thing, but doing it when you know someone is following you, when you know you’re in danger, isn’t something I can understand. If you’re bored, call the girls, call Mike, call Diane, anything! I know you couldn’t have known something like this would happen tonight, and you didn’t mean for it to happen … but your selfishness put Carter in the hospital.”

He was still looking down, so he didn’t see the tears rolling down my cheeks. I knew every word he’d said was right, and there was nothing I could do to make it up.

“I’m sorry I have to do this, but your actions leave me no choice. You’re grounded. Until we find out who’s after you, I want you home. School and dance. That’s it.”

I pushed my stool away from the counter and stood. “I’m so sorry, Brandon.”

“Go to bed, Aubrey.” He never bothered looking at me.

☼ ☼ ☼

I woke to pounding on my door.

“Get ready, Aubrey. We’re picking Carter up in thirty minutes.”

I groaned into my pillows and kicked off my blankets. I was hoping some sleep would allow him enough time to forgive me, but no such luck.

I dressed quickly in sweats and pulled my hair into a messy bun as I met Brandon in the kitchen. He tossed me a granola bar and walked to the door. The silent treatment continued.

The drive to the hospital was the longest fifteen minutes of my life. Brandon stared straight ahead, never looking in my direction. If he wasn’t speaking to me, I could only imagine Carter throwing things at me and kicking me out of his room.

We parked, and I followed Brandon through the hospital like a lost, sad puppy. We had never fought before; even as children we’d gotten along. This was new territory for me, and I didn’t like it.

He knocked once on the door to the room we’d been in last night and slowly opened it. I took one deep breath before following him in.

Carter was sitting up in bed with a tray of food in front of him and the TV turned to some sports review show. He looked much better than he had the night before. He smiled at Brandon, and they clapped each other on the back before he saw me.

I swallowed down my panic and met his eyes. “Hi, Carter.”

Relief washed over his face. “You’re okay?”

I nodded, and he opened his arms to me. I rushed in and gave him a careful hug. I didn’t know where else he was injured, and I didn’t want to be the cause of any more of his pain.

I stepped back and studied his face. His smile reached his eyes as he took me in, but when he looked between me and Brandon, his look changed to concern.