Page 38 of Tell No Lies

When I finally looked up, Gage was looking at me as if I’d just grown another head. “I think I’m missing some crucial information.”

Oh, right. I forgot he didn’t know about the notes from the stalker, or the stalker’s existence for that matter. “I was kind of grounded, so my brother’s mad at me for leaving with two guys I didn’t really know and lying to him. Plus, his best friend was hurt because of me. Mike’s mad because I didn’t call him, and I went and hung out with Tucker instead. The girls are mad for the same reason, I think. They aren’t talking to me at the moment.”

“Huh.”

“Still not making sense?”

He guided me to a bench and sat down next to me. “I kind of get why your brother is upset. You were grounded, and you left to go to a party with guys he didn’t know. My parents would be pissed if I did that. You said your friend was attacked?”

I nodded as he continued.

“That can’t possibly be your fault … unless you were the one who attacked him?”

He gave me a funny look that made me giggle.

“Didn’t think so. Mike is jealous, but we’ve known that for a while.” He gave me a squeeze and laughed. “Your friends are probably confused about everything that happened. You should try talking to them.” He looked down at me and waited for me to respond.

“But they just ignored me.”

“I never thought of you as someone who takes no for an answer.” He cocked one eyebrow as he looked down at me.

I fought the urge to stick out my tongue at him. “Fine.”

“That’s my girl! Come on, I’ll walk you back over there. They’ll be so distracted by their hatred for me that they’ll forget all about being mad at you.”

I shook my head but accepted his hand and stood up. When he tried to release his grip, I squeezed tighter. I needed one person to be on my side right now.

As we approached my normal lunch table, he whispered encouragement in my ear. I took a deep breath and tried to get everyone’s attention. “Hey, guys? I want to talk to you all.”

I held my breath as they turned to face me. Talia looked between me and Gage then down at our connected hands and nudged Alexis, who did the same.

“Go ahead.” Mckayla was the only one to speak.

“I just wanted to apologize for how I acted this weekend. I know I violated a lot of people’s trust, and Brandon pointed out how selfish I was. You all have been there for me through much of this, and I should have called you guys rather than going out with stupid Tucker.”

They turned and shared a look. After a silent conversation with their eyes, Mckayla faced me. “We accept your apology.”

My heart lifted at those simple words. There was no way I could go through this without their support.

“We’re just so worried about you, and when we heard what happened this weekend from Cassie, not you, it hurt. I thought you knew you could come to us for anything. Calling to ask us to hang out on a Saturday night is hardly annoying us.” She raised a brow and stared me down.

Apparently, she knew me enough to know that was exactly why I hadn’t called them over the weekend.

“I know. I just felt like I was relying on you guys too much. I wanted to prove I could be on my own. Obviously, I failed.”

Talia stood and pushed Gage away before hugging me.

Alexis followed and started a group hug, which Mckayla joined.

Talia pulled my hair and grinned. “Yes, you did, but we still love you. From now on, don’t fight it. You know you love us too.”

A smile crept on my lips until I caught Mike glaring at me from a few tables away. He would be harder to win over. Just as I was gathering the courage to go over to talk to him, the bell rang. Mckayla looped her arm through mine and pulled me away. I looked back and saw Mike shake his head before turning away. Gage was smirking and gave a short nod when we locked eyes.

One thing I couldn’t handle was my friends being mad at me. My mother and Neil had usually had something to be disappointed about, so I was used to their icy attitudes, but I’d reached my limit with Brandon and Mike. I needed to fix this.

My knee bounced as I waited for roll to be taken in Yearbook so I could make a run for it.

Apparently, Mckayla noticed my nervous habit and gave me a questioning look.