Page 159 of Tell No Lies

He leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. “Of course I don’t, but you’re my little sister, so I have to care.”

“We broke up.”

He made a sound in his throat and sat up straight. “When?”

“After dance. He gave me an ultimatum.”

“Fool.” He grunted.

“Yeah, I know. He said he would take me back and forgive me if I promised to stay away from Gage.”

“No kidding?”

“Yup. I told him I would never ask him to do that, but he didn’t care. It was either him or Gage, and I told him I couldn’t walk away from my friend, so we’re done.”

“Wow, Aubrey. Are you doing okay? I thought you two really liked each other.”

I dropped my head. “I don’t really know. I did really like him, Brandon, but I can’t be with someone who thinks they should have control over me.”

“He made a huge mistake putting you in that position, and he’s going to realize that. I’m really sorry, Aubrey. I never expected him to do something like this. Whatever went on between him and Gage must have been worse than anything you knew about. This isn’t about you at all. I think this is the same issue they’ve had for years.”

“So, I wasn’t worth him getting over it?”

“Mike’s a prideful guy. I think knowing how close you were with Gage killed him. It’s unfortunate that he was willing to lose you over it, though.”

“Yeah, it is.”

“Do I need to pick up some ice cream and put in a chick flick?”

“No, but thanks. I’m not really that upset. I haven’t been upset the whole time we’ve been fighting. I’m mad at him, but I’m not sad we’re not together anymore. Is that wrong?”

“I don’t think so. It probably means that deep down you knew it wasn’t meant to be.”

“Maybe.”

“I know things suck right now, but it will all work itself out soon.”

Biting back the urge to roll my eyes, I looked up and smiled at him. “Thanks, bro.”

☼ ☼ ☼

My weekend quickly went from quiet to depressing. Brandon invited Liv over in hopes of cheering me up, but I could only handle being third wheel to their much-needed alone time for so long. Their whispers and giggles reminded me of middle schoolers sitting in the back of a dark theater, and I finally gave up and excused myself to my room.

It was Saturday night, and I was sorting laundry. Alone. The new theme of my life.

I was almost done when I remembered my dance bag and dumped out the contents onto the floor. Cringing and moving quickly, I gathered the clothes and kicked my shoes off to the side.

An innocent-looking envelope remained behind. I stared down at it and ran through possibilities, even though I knew deep down it wasn’t a letter of apology from Mac or an invitation to a grand ball in my honor. Closing my eyes, I prayed I was wrong.

The note had been sitting in my bag since the day Mckayla stopped talking to me. Did it have to do with that? That wouldn’t make sense, since it was waiting for me before the fight.

Slowly, as if it might jump up and grab me, I picked up the envelope and walked out of my room. I knew better than to open it alone. I’d played that game, and it never ended well for me.

I shuffled into the living room, holding the note away from my body like it was poisonous. “Guys.”

Brandon turned around, and his grin immediately disappeared when he saw what I was holding. “Where did you get that?”

Liv was looking between me and Brandon, confused.