“Yeah. People thought that’s why they were fighting but Braden said their fight was because Andrea wanted him back and he told her no. He said she got angry and started screaming at him.”
“Did people at the party hear her screaming?”
“Yeah. They heard Braden too. Apparently, he was yelling at her, calling her a slut and all kinds of other names. People just ignored it because those two were always fighting.”
“Then what happened?”
“It ended. She took off and everyone assumed she went home.”
“What happened with Jackson? Did he just wait around for her all night?”
“The story I heard is that he got out of the car and looked for her. He claims he asked some girl if she’d seen her and the girl told him Andrea went home with someone else. When the cops questioned the girl about it later, she didn’t remember saying it, or even talking to Jackson, but she was really drunk that night, at least that’s what I heard.”
“Did anyone get charged for what happened to Andrea?”
“No.” She huffs. “People with money don’t get charged. They might get questioned, but then the cops let them go.” She turns to me. “I know Jackson is really hot, and he probably says all the right things. All the things you want to hear. But you can’t trust him. You can’t trust what he says. Just the fact he showed interest in you is suspicious.”
“Why? Because I don’t come from money?”
“Because you’re Braden’s cousin. Jackson could have any girl he wants. The girls at Legion would kill to go out with him. But he picked you.”
“He didn’t know I was Braden’s cousin until later. Until after we’d met.”
“But then he found out and wanted to date you.”
“That’s not why. It’s not because of Braden.”
“How do you know?”
“I don’t, but I know Jackson, and I know he wouldn’t use me like that. I also know he wouldn’t kill someone.”
“Rumor.” She looks me in the eye. “Don’t do this. Don’t get involved in this. After everything you’ve been through with your mom and having to move and breaking up with your boyfriend, you don’t need more drama. End things with Jackson before this turns bad.”
“It’s not going to turn bad. Jackson is the only good thing I have here.”
She frowns.
“Oh! No, you’re good too!”
She smiles and stands up. “I have to go or I’m gonna be late for school.” She grabs the laundry basket. “I’m just here to pick up the dry cleaning.”
“You know I never have anything for the dry cleaners,” I say as I follow her out.
She shrugs. “Had to check. See ya later.” She hurries upstairs to the boys’ rooms.
Shayla knows I don’t have clothes to dry clean, so why was she going in my room? Was she looking for something? Or just wanting to snoop through my stuff? Either way, it makes me wonder if I can trust her or trust what she tells me.
What she said about Jackson was just a story — a theory. It doesn’t mean it’s true. He wasn’t even charged with anything. If the cops thought he did it, they’d charge him, even though he’s rich. I’m sure Andrea’s parents are rich, too, if she went to Twisted Pine. Rich parents of a dead girl wouldn’t let someone go free if they thought their daughter was murdered. They’d want someone to pay. And that someone is not Jackson. And I don’t think it’s Braden, although I can imagine him doing it more than Jackson.
The thing that worries me most is what Shayla said about Andrea’s relationship with Jackson. The sex with no strings agreement that he had with her, and also had with Kristen. That’s not what I want, so I hope he doesn’t think he’s getting that arrangement with me.
“Get your ass in the car,” Trystan yells as he comes in the house. “I have to get something from my room and then we’re leaving.”
I grab my stuff and go out to his car. Moments later, he races out with his backpack, tossing it in the back seat before getting in. He speeds out of the driveway and down the street. He always speeds but claims he’s never had a ticket.
“Going to the game tonight?” he asks.
“Yeah, but I need someone to take me.” I look at him. “That’s a hint.”
