Page 168 of Tell No Lies

“What. Is. Happening?” In all my years of living with him and pestering him as kids, I never heard this voice. It was authoritative and beyond angry. If I could guess what our dad sounded like, I’d bet it was just like this.

Carter looked over casually and smiled. “Hey, Brandon.”

“What are you doing with my little sister?” His face was growing redder by the second, like his anger level was changing for all to see.

“I told you I cared about her. I tried to tell you, but you never gave me a chance to explain.”

“Get away from her.” His words sent an icy chill down my spine. This was going worse than I could have ever anticipated.

Carter sat up but didn’t move away. “Brandon—”

“Get out of my house.”

My head shot back to him. “What? Brandon, he’s your best friend—”

“No. Not anymore. Get out of my house, Carter. Now.”

I couldn’t sit and watch this any longer. “No, Brandon. Please listen to me.”

“You are a child, Aubrey. You don’t get to tell me what to do.”

“I’m not a child!”

“You’re sure not old enough to be with him!”

“Next month,” I yelled back. “I’ll be eighteen in less than three weeks.”

Carter stood and put his arm in front of me, creating space between me and my brother. “Brandon, I’ll go tonight, but you need to accept this. It wasn’t something that just happened. I tried to tell her we can’t happen. I encouraged her to date guys her age and enjoy high school, but look how that turned out for her.” He paused as if expecting Brandon to interrupt him. “I care about her. You know that. I would never do anything to hurt her.”

I looked between them, waiting for the next round of battle.

Brandon began shaking his head. His expression faded from anger to defeat. “I know, Carter. I know that if I could ask for anyone to look over my sister and protect her, it would be you, but I just can’t. She’s seventeen!”

“I know she is, but that doesn’t change how I feel about her.” I wanted to step in and speak for myself, but Carter’s arm was still holding me back. He wasn’t done. “You know just as well as I that she deserves to be happy. I’m just asking you to let us try.”

He was smart to ask Brandon’s permission. This would only work with his approval and support. Carter valued their friendship too much, and I didn’t have it in me to defy my brother or sneak around.

“I need to think about this.” He moved around us and fell onto the couch. He was rubbing his face and looked like he’d aged ten years during this conversation.

The front door opened again, and I looked over to see Liv walking in with a huge smile. “Hi, guys! Is Brandon ready?” Her smile faded when she saw him crumpled on the couch. “What’s going on?”

I looked at Carter for help.

“We just told him something, and he’s not taking it well.”

Liv looked between us. “Are you okay, Aubrey? Did something happen?”

I immediately began shaking my head. “No, I’m fine! It’s nothing bad.”

Brandon scoffed behind me.

She continued to stare at me and Carter. Her eyebrow slowly rose, and her smile reappeared. “You guys told him?” She was suddenly bouncing on her toes and clapping.

“You knew?” Brandon growled.

“I didn’t know they were together, but I’ve seen it.”

“What?” The three of us spoke at the same time.