Page 14 of Tell No Lies

Aubrey: Yeah, the girls helped so I should be fine.

Mike “The Babe” Thomas: Good.

This conversation, if you could call it that, was strange. I set my phone down and went to change into pajamas. When I came back into my room, I checked my phone and saw three new texts.

Mike “The Babe” Thomas: I’m glad Brandon is letting you come.

Carter Blackwell: I heard you’re going away this weekend.

Mike “The Babe” Thomas: I can’t wait to spend the weekend with you.

A smile slowly grew as warmth spread in my body. Was it because of Carter, or because of Mike?

Aubrey: Me too. It’ll be nice to get away.

Aubrey: Brandon is letting me out.

My phone vibrated almost instantly.

Carter Blackwell: Good. Have fun and be safe. Call me if you need anything.

Aubrey: I will. Goodnight.

Carter Blackwell: Night. X

X? As in hug or kiss? I studied the screen, trying to decipher the meaning. I almost dropped it when it vibrated again, breaking my concentration.

Mike “The Babe” Thomas: It’s going to be perfect. You’ll be with me. Sweet dreams, baby.

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?