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Authors: Evelyne Stone

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BOOK: Denying the Wrong
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Ch
apter 7

Katherine

I didn't talk to Alissa the remainder of Spring Break. Not for lack of trying. I even tried to relay messages through Dillon, but that didn't work. He told me I needed to give Alissa some time to cool off and make sense of everything in her head. I hadn’t meant to hurt her feelings, but I had to say something about Scott. She needed to know that I noticed how much she had changed, not for the better, but I never got around to telling her that part because she refused to speak to me.

I decided to show up at the coffee shop, hoping Alissa would be there as well, and she was—only, she was chatting out front with Mary. I’d almost run back the other way, feeling like I’d been replaced, but Mary spotted me and waved.

“What took you so long?” Alissa was smiling at me like nothing happened.

I decided to just go with it. “Sorry, I had to finish up an assignment.” They both nodded and walked into the coffee shop. I was so confused.

Mary dominated the conversation during lunch. She told us about some kid from another school that got into a car accident over break.

“Actually it wasn't an accident, more like a hit-and-run.” Mary told the story with so much enthusiasm, I was afraid she’d start knocking things over with her hands. “A witness said he was racing some other car and then halfway down the street the other car jerked, forcing him over and he hit a tree and the car caught on fire.” She said it so fast, I don't think she stopped to take a breath.

“Hmm, I didn't read about it in the paper,” said Alissa.

“Yeah, I don't know. I don't read the paper. I heard about it from David because that's the same guy who stole David’s clothes from his gym locker and took pictures of him in a towel and posted it all over the internet.”

“I guess Karma really is a bitch,” Alissa said under her breath. I don't think Mary heard her, but I glared at her so that she would know I had.

“So, did Kat tell you about Mr. McHotty in our cooking class?” Mary asked, giving me a wink.

Alissa looked between us, her eyebrows raising in interest. “I didn’t know you were taking a cooking class together.”

“You didn’t give me a chance to tell you.” I tried to keep the sarcasm to a minimum but the hurt from seeing Alissa with Mary was still too fresh.

“Well, let me tell you, he is so beyond hot, even a chemist would look up to watch him walk by,” Mary said.

I couldn’t hold in my laugh and Alissa smiled.

“He’s not that hot,” I said, rolling my eyes, still smiling.

“Uh-huh. Well, I’ve been thinking about asking him out. In fact, you should call him on speaker right now and tell him to ask me out,” Mary said, picking up my phone from the table and handing it to me.

“We’re not in high school anymore. And how did you get his number, anyway?” I asked.

“Actually, I
am
still in high school, remember? And I got his number when he wrote it down and asked me to give it to you.”

I nearly spit out my coffee. “He what? He knows I have a boyfriend.”

“Sounds like somebody doesn’t care,” Alissa said, nudging Mary.

“Well, I don’t want his number, so if you really want me to call him for you, I would be glad to. Maybe then he’ll leave me alone.” I grabbed the paper with Conner’s phone number on it and reached for Mary’s phone.

She grabbed it first. “Why do you need my phone?”

“I’m not calling him from my phone because I don’t want him to have my number.”

“Good call,” Alissa said, prying Mary’s phone out of her hand.

Mary shrugged her shoulders and scooted her chair closer to me. I dialed the number and we all leaned in closer to the phone.

“Hello?”

“Hey, Conner, it’s Kat, from class. Mary gave me your number.”

“Oh, hey. What took you so long to call?”

I had to take a deep breath before answering so I wouldn’t get angry at his arrogance. “You know I have a boyfriend. I’m actually calling because Mary seems to have a crush on you.”

Mary smacked me and mouthed, ‘Why did you say that?’

I mouthed back, ‘What?’ but smiled.

“Yeah, I don’t think so,” Conner snorted.

I saw Mary pout but continued. “Why not? She’s awesome.”

“She’s awesome but I’m afraid she’ll eat me.”

Mary’s smile turned into a look of horror. I instantly felt guilty for asking him why.

“All right, well, this conversation is over.” I hit the END button before he had a chance to reply. “Mary, I’m so sorry.”

Alissa put her arm around Mary. “He’s obviously an ass.”

Mary shook her head, holding her eyes shut. One moment later, her eyes opened and she smiled. “I gotta go. See you guys later.”

Alissa and I watched her gather her things and walk out the door. I didn’t know what to say, and hoped I’d be able to talk to her tomorrow night before class started. Alissa looked over at me and shrugged. We threw our trash away without saying a word.

I pulled Alissa aside as we started heading towards the exit. “Do you think you could give me a ride home?”

“Sure.” She rolled her eyes and walked toward her car before I could even say ‘Thanks.’

I guess everything isn’t back to normal like I thought.

I didn't understand what was happening to her, and if she wasn't going to tell me, I would have to force it out of her.

Her phone rang the moment we got into the car, and she talked to whoever it was until we got to my apartment. I was listening in to the conversation and it sounded like she was planning a dinner date this Saturday night, the day after her birthday. I stayed in the car until she was off the phone.

“Sorry about that,” she said.

“No big deal.” I took a deep breath to calm my nerves. “Do you want to come in for a few?”

“Yeah, I guess.” She turned the car off and followed me inside not making any attempt to sound enthusiastic.

“Do you want something to drink?” I threw my backpack into my room, checking to make sure everything was safe inside the apartment. I was definitely getting more paranoid.

“Sure.”

I handed her a bottle of water and walked over to the couch. She followed me but sat on the opposite side. I hated acting so formal around my best friend, but right now she felt more like a stranger.

“I'm just going to be blunt. I hate the way our friendship is right now. I have no idea what's going on, but you've changed.” I stopped there, hoping she would lay it all out on the table even though I was nervous about what she would say.

She looked surprised, then her face twisted in anger. “You've changed too, and who are you to judge me? Are you jealous about Mary? Is that what this is about?” She sat up straight and I was afraid she would jump up and leave again.

I softened my voice, knowing how she responded to outright demands. All I wanted were answers. “This has nothing to do with Mary. I know I can't be your only friend forever but you don't talk to me anymore, Alissa, and it hurts that you won't tell me what's going on.”

Alissa slumped back down into the couch and my nerves relaxed a bit. “There's nothing going on. Things have just been crazy lately, that's all.”

I didn't believe her. Ugh, I suck at confrontations.

“You know you can trust me, and whenever you're ready to talk, I'm here.” There was really nothing else to say. After a few minutes of uncomfortable silence, I did what I was best at and changed the subject. “You haven't told me what you've planned for your birthday. Anything good?”

A small smile returned to her face, but she wouldn't meet my eyes. “I don't think I'm going to do anything. Scott wants to take me out to dinner Saturday night.” She finally looked up at me, like she was expecting that to turn into an argument.

“You only turn eighteen once. I thought you would want to party like rock stars.” I winked at her to try to lighten the mood, hiding my disappointment. Not only did she not want to do anything for her birthday, but she was choosing him over me.

“Turning eighteen just means more responsibility,” she said while pinching her nose.

“Birthdays aren't supposed to be stressful.”

“I'm fine.” She stood up and grabbed her purse. “I need to get going. Thank you for the water.”

I suddenly felt desperate to make things good between us again. Apologizing was the only thing that came to mind. My mom told me once that sometimes in relationships, someone has to give up something to make it work. I was giving up my need for answers. I grabbed her arm and turned her around so I could look in her eyes. “I'm sorry. I'm sorry I said anything bad about Scott and I promise to just butt out. I want my best friend back.”

Alissa looked taken aback. Her purse dropped to the floor and she pulled me in for a hug. She clung to me like her life depended on it. “I'm so sorry, my Kitty Kat. You know I love you, and I've been such a bitch.”

The muscles holding all of my stress finally let go. From now on, I was going to keep my opinions about Scott to myself.

~*~

“… you listening?”

Dillon was sitting on my couch watching basketball. I should’ve known better than to try to talk to him while he was engrossed in a game, but I really couldn't wait any longer. These games could last hours.

“Yeah, of course. The quarter is almost done—I'll mute it then and we can talk.” He didn't take his eyes off the screen so I took the opportunity to stick my tongue out at him.

Ten minutes later he hit mute and turned his body to face mine. Even though I was irritated with him, I stole a kiss. As I leaned back against my side of the couch, I caught a glimpse of him adjusting himself. I knew guys were gross but when he did that, I had to force myself not to laugh.

“Okay, now you’ve got my attention.”

I rolled my eyes.
Boys.
“I promised Alissa that I would back off the Scott thing, but I can’t shake the feeling he’s bad news.” I chewed on the inside of my lip. “I think he had something to do with Kelly’s death.”

“Let me play Devil’s advocate, Kat—don't you think if Scott was involved the police would have already picked up on it?”

“Haven’t you seen the recent budget cuts? They’re practically running a skeleton crew, which means they’re bound to miss things in favor of getting files cleared off their desks. Besides, if he’s never done anything wrong, he wouldn't even be on their radar. But if I say anything like that to Alissa, after last time, I think I’m going to lose my best friend for good.” I tried to hide that my hands were shaking but Dillon caught me trying to hide them in my lap and enfolded them between his large palms.

“The last thing you should be worried about is if she hates you. What if Scott gets her involved and she ends up getting hurt?” I could see a tick starting in his jaw. Finally he was realizing the gravity of the situation. “She’s my baby sister, Kat.”

I jumped on that statement like a lifeline. “Then, maybe you should talk to her. If she blows up, she’ll get over it eventually because you’re just doing the overprotective brother thing,” I said.

“And maybe we should just go talk to this Scott guy and tell him to—”

“Threatening him won’t help anything. We have to prove what he’s doing.” I moved forward to try and hug him but he released my hands and threw himself back down onto the opposite end of the couch.

“Looks like we’re right back where we started. A lot of worry and no proof. Sounds to me like we should just sit back and let them screw up their lives. They don’t need any help from us.” He grabbed the remote and turned the sound back up.

Dillon had always had a short temper, but I couldn’t remember him ever being so callous before. “Yeah, okay.” I moved to sit on the floor, leaning up against the couch. For now, looks like I’d have to drop the issue and continue on my own.

One very long hour later, I heard my mom’s car pull up, so I pushed off the floor. I liked unlocking the door and letting her in the moment she put her key in the door. It was a silly game, but fun watching her get frustrated. I ran up to the door and looked through the peephole to time it just right.

Another car pulled into the spot next to hers. My mom, still wearing her work uniform, got out of her car at the same time as a man I’d never seen, wearing an expensive-looking dark suit, got out of the other. When they met at the front door, the man reached around her back and pulled her roughly into him. I unlocked the door and threw it open.

“Get your hands off my mom right now or I will call the police!” I shouted loud enough to wake the neighbors and bring Dillon running. It felt like my heart was going to stop.

The man’s gaze swerved to mine, his face shocked and red. My mom's head dropped back and she burst out laughing.

“What the—?” Dillon came rushing outside, throwing himself in front of me, and pushing me back into the apartment door like he was my own personal bodyguard.

I looked around him and saw my mom still standing there next to that man, laughing. “Mom? What’s going on?”

The man watched my mom laugh while his face remained red. He kept opening his mouth, but looked too embarrassed to know what to say.

BOOK: Denying the Wrong
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ads

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