Page 91 of Tell No Lies

This was one of the reasons I loved her. She was always carefree and didn’t concern herself with what other people thought of her. She was willing to make a fool out of herself for her friends.

“I don’t think it would work this time. Mike would probably volunteer to go buy whatever I needed. We need something better.” I glanced over at Talia and Mckayla, willing them to look at me.

Mckayla was a mind reader, apparently. She caught my look and turned her head. As she stood up, she nudged Talia, and they made their way through the bodies on the floor.

“What’s going on over here?” Mckayla asked. “You guys look suspicious.”

“Brandon isn’t going to make it home, so I was wondering if any of you can stay. And we need to get the guys to leave eventually.”

Mckayla chuckled. “Like Mike would ever agree to that.”

“I know. He’s going to go all alpha male and refuse to leave. That’s why I need some help.”

Talia held up a hand to stop us. “Let me handle this.”

We watched as she marched into the living room, grabbed the remote, and paused the movie. She didn’t need to do that to get the guys’ attention; she was a bombshell with her long blond hair and curves. But her confidence was the thing that stood out the most about her. She could get any group to listen to her, and she never shied away from the attention. I could picture her being a famous leader of sorts one day.

“Listen up, boys. We’re getting tired, and we all have school tomorrow, so you have until ten-thirty to leave, or we’re painting your nails. Got it?”

To my surprise, the majority of the boys groaned but agreed. A few even stood and waved as they left. I guess the threat of painted nails was not something to test.

She came back, and we started cleaning up the mess in the kitchen. By the time we finished, it was curfew and the remaining boys were starting to stir and putting the pillows and blankets back where they belonged. It had taken a few tries, but we’d finally gotten them trained to clean up before they left.

A stream of guys waved or said goodbye on their way out the door.

Mike stopped and looked me in the eye. “Where’s Brandon?”

I hated it when he did that. As if he was looking into my soul, making it impossible to even think of lying. “He’ll be home later. The girls are staying with me tonight.”

“I don’t like that. You guys shouldn’t be alone.” It was strange to see him without his big grin. It bothered me that I was the reason it was missing.

I looked into his deep, chocolate-brown eyes and tried not to smile. Instead, I hooked my arm through his as I walked him to the door. He was the kind of guy every girl loved: tall and muscular enough to make you feel small next to him, and he used it to his advantage.

“We’ll be fine,” I said. “If we get scared or anything, I’ll call security and text you.”

He took another glance at the girls behind me before looking down at me again. “Fine. Let me know if you need anything … I mean it.” He gave me a tight hug before opening the door.

I held it open as he waited for the elevator. “Thanks, Mike. Good night.”

He gave me a slight smile and waved as he stepped in.

Two

School was one of the few normal things remaining in my life. Few people beyond my close group of friends knew the reason Luke and I had been missing from the dance, and even fewer knew the full story about Morgan. The teachers and the majority of the students remained oblivious to the drama that was my life.

The one major change at school was the receiving party that waited for me every morning when I pulled into the lot. Mike and his normal posse now hung around his car, purposely blocking the spot next to him.

I’d been informed when I first got here that once you were considered in their group, they’d protect you, but this was extreme.

I waved as they dispersed, leaving the prime parking space open for me. Before I could turn off the ignition, my door was open.

“You didn’t text me last night.”

I looked up and met Mike’s deep brown eyes. “Yes, I did.” I was confused. We had kept a conversation going late into the night, until I fell asleep.

“You didn’t let me know when Brandon got home. I almost came over this morning to make sure you guys were alright, but I texted Brandon, and he told me you were already getting ready, and the girls had gone home.”

As much as his attention should have annoyed me, I knew he was only doing it because he cared. I appreciated it too.