“They haven’t even fucking talked to Novak,” Braden says.
“How do you know?” Kristen says as she casually inspects the ends of her hair.
He stares at her. “They’ve questioned him?”
She shrugs. “Maybe.”
He shoves her hand away from her hair. “Have they or haven’t they?”
She gets in his face. “Don’t youevertouch me like that again!”
If she gets that upset about Braden touching her, there’s no way she’d let her stepdad strangle her. Unless she’s afraid of him. But I’ve heard her talking back to him, even yelling at him, so it doesn’t seem like she’s afraid of him.
Braden sighs. “Did they talk to him or not?”
“He hired lawyers.” She gets up. “That’s all I know.”
“That doesn’t prove anything,” Braden mutters.
Kristen walks off, heading out of the cafeteria.
“I need to go,” I say, hurrying up from the table.
“You just got here,” Dante says.
“I know but I have to study before my next class. Ms. Pruitt keeps calling on me and I never have the answer.”
It’s an excuse to leave, but also true. Ms. Pruitt is determined to prove I don’t belong here by quizzing me in front of the class, knowing I don’t have the answer. I’m sure I’ll flunk that class.
Leaving the cafeteria, I search the hall for Kristen but don’t see her anywhere. I go into the girls’ bathroom and see her at the mirror, smiling at her reflection as she messes with her hair.
“Great performance last night,” I say, going up to her.
She turns to me. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
I step closer, getting a better look at her neck.
“If he did it, where’s the marks?”
Her hand goes to her neck. “He told you?”
“I was there last night. I was in the other room.” I lean down and check under the stalls to make sure we’re alone. I rise back up, looking her in the eye. “Tell me the truth. Did he really try to hurt you or are you making it up?”
“You think I’m going to confide inyou?” She huffs and turns back to the mirror. “Go back to the boys. Oh, and if you go to the party Friday night, watch your drink.” Her lips turn up as she inspects her eyebrows in the mirror. “The boys have a bet going. The first to sleep with you wins.”
“They told you that?”
“I overheard them talking in class. They’re too lazy to put the work into trying to get you to sleep with them so they’ll drop something in your drink like they do with every other girl who dismisses them. Even Braden’s in on it.” She laughs. “He’s so damn twisted. I love the guy but sleeping with your cousin? That’s taking it a bit too far.”
It’s even more twisted than she thinks. Because I’m not his cousin. I’m his half-sister . . . and he kissed me. Now I feel sick.
“I’m not going to the party,” I say, watching as she puts her lipstick on. “And I’m not here to talk about the guys. I’m here to talk about you. And what I saw.”
She turns to face me, smirking with her pretty pink lips. “And what did you see?”
“You.” My eyes lock on hers. “Bent over a desk. In the English classroom.”
She laughs and flips her hair, turning back to the mirror. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
