“Someone did. She didn’t just fall.”
“How do you know?”
She doesn’t answer, her eyes going to Brock as he returns to his seat.
He smiles at her. “Nice to see you again, Peyton.”
Peyton.That’s her name. I knew it was something that started with a P.
“Always a pleasure seeing you too, Brock.” She winks at him and leans across me toward Brock. “Are you still with Marilyn?”
“No. I have someone new. I wanted someone younger.”
“Who’s Marilyn?” I ask. “Your ex-girlfriend?”
Brock and Peyton both laugh.
“Marilyn was my agent,” he says. “She was Peyton’s as well.”
“You’re an actor?” I ask her.
“Was.” She flips her long strawberry blonde hair. “I was one of those annoying child actors who made millions to look cute and say a few lines.” She leans over even more, practically in my lap as she talks to Brock. “Let me guess. Gunner Thorpe?”
“Good guess. And yes. I’ve been with him for a year now. Unfortunately, he hasn’t gotten me any roles.”
“Why don’t we switch places?” I say, getting up.
Brock’s phone rings. “I need to get this.”
He takes off, which is good because I want Peyton to tell me more about what happened to Braden’s ex. Everyone seems to know the story, and yet Braden’s the most popular guy at school. Since when are alleged killers popular? Maybe nobody believes he did it. I don’t.
Braden wouldn’t kill someone. He has a bad temper and gets jealous when other people have what he wants, but that doesn’t make him a killer. Itdoesgive him a motive, though. Motive to kill Andrea for ditching him for Jackson. And a motive for killing Jason, who’d be the quarterback if he were still alive. But motive doesn’t mean Braden did anything.
I really hope that’s true.
Chapter 4
“Touchdown!” Peyton yells, jumping up from her seat. She turns back to me. “Let’s go. We can’t be seen sitting in the parents’ section.”
“I told Brock I’d sit with him.”
“He doesn’t care where you sit. He’ll spend the whole game on his phone.” She walks to the end of the bleachers. “C’mon.”
“I’m staying here. After what happened today, I’m not sure I should sit over there.”
She walks back to me, laughing. “That was so awesome. I would’ve done it myself if I could, but I’m trying to stay out of trouble after what happened.”
“With you and the principal?”
“That, and some other shit.” She glances behind her, smiling and blowing a kiss.
“What are you doing?”
“Pretending to be the perfect daughter. My parents eat that shit up. They think I’m an angel. They got Principal Ballantine fired because of what I told them.” She smiles as she sits down beside me. “All those years of acting lessons paid off.”
“Fired? You said he left.”
“Because he had to. He didn’t have a choice.”
