When I leave my room, I see Brock standing by the window, looking out at the beach. The sun is shining, reflecting off the water.
"Beautiful day," Brock says.
"It would be if my boyfriend wasn't being accused of murder," I mutter.
Brock comes over to me. "Try not to think about it. Perhaps school will get your mind off it."
"School will just make it worse," I say as we walk to the door. "Everyone will be talking about Kristen and what happened to her, and I'm sure they all think Jackson did it."
On the way to Twisted Pine, I keep thinking about Jackson and what might happen to him. How am I going to concentrate in class with all this going on?
"How are the driving lessons going?" Brock asks, waking me from my thoughts.
"I never went. That day I told you I did? I actually went to see Jackson."
Brock glances at me but I keep my eyes straight ahead. "You lied to me?"
"Yep," I say, popping the p.
"What else have you lied to me about?"
"I can't remember." I look at him. "You lie to me too, so what's the big deal?"
"I don't lie to you."
I laugh. "Yeah, right."
"What have I lied about?" he asks, slowing down as we approach a stop sign.
"My dad. You said you didn't know where he was."
"I don't. It's like I told you, he'll show up when he needs money. Until then, I doubt I'll hear from him."
"You've lied about other stuff."
"Like what?"
"My mom," I say, my heart beating faster. I want to tell him I know he's my father. I've wanted to tell him since I found out. But I can't. I don't know why. I think part of me doesn't want the truth. If he really is my dad, it means my mom lied to me. My whole life, she lied to me.
"What about her?" Brock asks as he drives down the narrow road that leads to school.
"You had an affair," I blurt out.
"An affair?" he says with a laugh. "With who?"
"My mom." I stare straight ahead, watching as students filter into Twisted Pine.
"I think you're confusing me with your father," Brock says in a humorous tone. "Although it wasn't an affair. He was single at the time." He stops in front of the school. "I'll see you this afternoon. Trystan will take you home."
Taking off my seatbelt, I turn to Brock. "I talked to Devon. He told me the truth."
"Rumor, go inside. You don't want to be late."
"I can't hide this anymore. I've wanted to say something since I found out. I don't want it to be true but I have to know if it is."
"If what's true?"
"You and my mom. Were you more than just friends?"
