Page 52 of Tell No Lies

“I’ll try to do better from now on.”

“Actually, I have something I need to talk to you and Brandon about … later.”

His hands came up and brushed my cheeks. “What’s going on? Did something happen?”

“We can deal with it later.”

I tried to pull off a calm face, but I knew he saw through me. He paused for a moment before giving me a slight nod. He led me to the waiting group.

It took almost an hour for everyone to take their turn congratulating me and Cassie. Some of the guys decided they were hungry and convinced everyone to meet for burgers and shakes. I hugged the girls and told them to have fun, but I wanted to spend the evening with Brandon and Mike.

When I turned around, I could tell by Brandon’s expression that he knew there was something going on.

Liv approached me and gave me a hug, whispering, “Do you want me to come over?”

She knew I had something to tell them, and she would be a great buffer. I looked into her eyes and nodded. “Yeah, I think I’m going to need your help.”

Liv had proved to be the level head Brandon needed. Whenever he got too overprotective, she’d been able to negotiate with him on my behalf. I hoped they’d end up staying together, since she was becoming like a sister to me.

We separated into our cars and agreed to go directly back to the apartment. I could tell Mike was waiting for me to talk to him, but I wasn’t ready. I knew he would freak out when he heard what had happened, and I’d rather he didn’t do it while driving.

Brandon and Liv were sitting in the living room when we walked in. I had expected Carter to be there too, but I realized I hadn’t seen him after the competition. So much had been running through my mind and so many people were around me that I hadn’t even noticed his absence. I almost asked about him, but thought better of it when I realized Mike might take it the wrong way: that I cared about Carter and where he was. Which I did.

Brandon gestured to the other end of the sofa and waited expectantly. “What’s going on, Aubrey?”

I debated a topic change but remembered I was the one who’d asked them to come listen to me. I reached into my dance bag, which was lying beside me, and pulled out the envelope, which I still hadn’t opened. There was an audible gasp when they saw it. No one said a word for a few moments until I broke the silence.

“I was attacked during the competition.”

Brandon jumped up. “What do you mean? When did it happen? Someone was there?”

Liv reached up and put her hand on his hip. “Brandon, let her talk.”

He fell back onto the couch, never breaking eye contact.

“There was only one song between my solo and our team, remember?”

There was collective nodding.

“I ran back to the room to change, and all of the girls were already backstage, so I was alone. I finished changing and was on my way out when the lights turned off and the door shut. There were no windows, so it was pitch black. I was trying to get out, but I kept tripping over other bags and stuff. Then I felt someone grab my shoulders and shove me forward. I was on the ground when Cassie opened the door and found me. She turned on the lights, and we ran out. When I got back to the room, I found the envelope, but I haven’t read it.”

Mike had moved from sitting next to me to practically holding me in his lap. “Why didn’t you come get one of us?”

“There wasn’t time.”

Brandon clenched his jaw. “Did you see anything? When Cassie opened the door, did you see anything?”

“I was only able to look quickly, but no, I didn’t see anyone in the room or in the hall when we left.”

He shook his head. “I hate to ask this, but could it have been Cassie? If she’s the only person you saw …” He knew better than to finish the sentence.

“No. How could she have pushed me then gotten to the other side of the room and opened the door from the outside?”

“It just doesn’t make sense. How did neither you nor she see anyone?” Mike asked.

“I think I did see him, just after.”

“What do you mean?” Liv’s worried eyes searched mine.