Page 125 of Tell No Lies

“I’m doing fine, although this food is awful. How about we break out of this place and go get some real grub?”

I glanced at Brandon and saw his indecision. I guessed even going out to eat with them broke the rules of my grounding. “You guys should go. I have some homework to catch up on.”

Carter squinted at me as if studying my face. “You’ve done nothing but homework for the past two weeks. The other day, you told me you’re caught up through the end of the month.”

“It’s dance homework.” I obviously didn’t think quickly under pressure.

“That’s not a real thing.” He almost laughed at me, but I could tell he was really trying to figure out what was going on.

“I have to get to dance, early. I need to practice a solo before team practice starts.” That was actually true. Getting there early would be a good idea, but Brandon would have to approve that.

Brandon stepped forward. “She’s right. I need to get her to the studio, so let’s get your release papers finished.”

He walked out of the room, leaving Carter and me alone.

“Want to tell me what’s going on with you two? I’ve never seen you guys like this.”

I shrugged. “I broke the rules, lied about where I was, and caused you to get hurt. I’m grounded indefinitely.”

His eyebrows shot together. “He grounded you? Like a child? He does know that this isn’t your fault, right?”

“Well, technically it is. I never should have gone to a party with guys I barely know. I never should have left without telling him, and mostly I shouldn’t have dragged you into my mess. I’m so sorry, Carter.”

He offered his hand, and I stepped forward and hung onto him as if he was my lifeline. A single tear escaped, and he wiped it away with his free hand before it got to my cheek. “None of this is your fault. You’re going through a lot right now. It’s understandable you needed to get out for a night. I might remember things wrong, but I’m pretty sure you didn’t attack me with a knife, Aubrey.”

I wiped away another tear. “Thank you, Carter, but Brandon’s right. You wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for me.”

Before Carter could reply, Brandon walked in with a nurse who was pushing a wheelchair. She smiled brightly. “Alright, Mr. Blackwell, let’s get you into some new clothes, and you’re ready to go.”

Within a few minutes, we were walking out of the hospital to Brandon’s car. I got in the back seat and waited for him to drop me off at home. Instead, we pulled up to Dance Academy.

“I don’t have my bag, Brandon. I need to go home first.”

Without speaking, he opened his door and went to the trunk. He opened it, tossed something to the side of the car, and got back in. I looked out my window and saw my dance bag sitting on the curb.

So that’s how things are going to be.

“Alrighty, then. Goodbye, Carter. Please take it easy.”

I caught Brandon’s gaze. “What should I do when I’m finished?” I hoped using an open-ended question would result in a response from my selectively mute brother.

Without turning, he replied, “You aren’t going anywhere without me or Carter. I will be back here when you’re done.”

“Got it.”

I shut the door and picked up my bag without turning around. We needed to figure out who this mystery stalker was soon, or I was going to go crazy living with my brother.

Fourteen

While Brandon’s reaction had been bad, and understandably so, Mike had taken things to a whole other level when he heard about my escape over the weekend. Apparently, his bestie had notified him and warned him that I was now considered a flight risk.

When I pulled into my parking spot on Monday morning, he was standing behind his car with his arms crossed, glaring at me. I got out of my car and prepared myself to face his wrath. Instead, he nodded toward the buildings. He followed silently behind me, making me more tense with each step. I turned to him before we entered the math hall.

“Mike, I’m …”

He cut me off with an icy glance. “I don’t want to hear it, Aubrey.”

He rarely used my full first name. My gaze dropped with my shoulders, and I turned to continue.