“But Alexisn’tpresident,” I countered. “Danielis.”
“So?” Tag said through gritted teeth. “He’s just your prom date, Lily. It’s not like you’re the First Lady.”
Just your prom date.
I didn’t know why the words made me so angry, but they did. Maybe because once upon a time, prom meant so much to Tag and now it meant nothing. My pulse pounded so hard that I lost control over what I said next. “For some reason, you have it out for Daniel, and fine, we’re helping you on this mission. But putting a clue in my mailbox makes this much more personal to me, Tag! I will be your Jester’s fool butnotyour pawn.”
He didn’t react at first; there were at least five beats before Tag said, “Why are you always defending him? He’s such an asshole.”
I rolled my eyes. “He’s not that bad.”
“Oh, really?” Tag said airily, but I noticed the tips of his ears redden. “Frying my pump isn’t that bad?” He nodded to himself. “Okay, yeah, thanks for the perspective.”
My heart slid into my stomach. “What are you talking about?”
“Sailing last spring.”
“Yeah, Alex told me you were retiring after the season to focus on swimming…” I trailed off when Tag’s gray-green eyes fixed on mine. “What happened?” I asked, suddenly anxious. “Something happened, didn’t it?”
“It was the last practice before the Bexley regatta,” he said. “We were doing a run-through, and I hadn’t removed my pumpbeforehand—my levels had been up and down that day, which I told him. HeknewI was still wearing it. But later we got into an argument that ended with him knocking me overboard. I hit the waterhard.”
I opened my mouth, but Tag shook his head.
“I lost it. I fucking shouted that he needed to help me, but he didn’t listen, even though he knew my pump wasn’t waterproof.” Tag’s face twisted like a grotesque gargoyle. “He watched me panic and then laughed while I pulled myself back onto the boat. I was so out of it that it took me three tries.”
My lungs beat like a bird’s wings, almost unable to breathe.How dare Daniel? How dare he let Tag struggle like that?
Tag rubbed his eyes as mine began to sting. “I was fine, but my pump…the battery was completely soaked.” He sighed. “And to make matters worse, my replacement pump got lost in the mail, so I was stuck with finger pricks and backup shots for a while.”
I winced. Tag hated needles, but it was the only other way to monitor his levels and inject insulin when needed.
“After we finally got back to shore, he clapped me on the shoulder and said I had no reason to be so dramatic.” He paused. “I advised he find a new sailing partner before shoving him off the dock.”
“How dramatic of you,” I attempted over the lump in my throat. I let a beat pass. “Did you get in trouble?”
He shook his head. “Not really. Coach Burns pulled my prefect recommendation, but that’s it.”
My stomach stirred. Taghadapplied for prefect.
“Oh, and my parents reached out to ensure I knew how irresponsible I’d been.”
“That’s sickening,” I said softly. “I want to vomit.”
“Be my guest,” he croaked as he dropped back down to his knees and grabbed the duct tape off the concrete floor. “Like I said, Daniel’s an asshole.”
I blinked away my tears. It all made sense now, the motivation behind tonight’s prank. But still, somehow, I heard myself say, “Please don’t use that clue.”
Tag closed his eyes and gritted his teeth. “You’re kidding me. You still don’t think—”
“No, I just don’t want to be associated,” I cut in quickly. “You’re right; he’s a dickhead and deserves this, but I don’t want to be associated beyond being an anonymous fool.”
“But youneedto be,” he countered. “Everyone has been taken off the suspect list, Lily. I called myself—and Blair—out in a clue, Maya is in the infirmary, Alex lit up and gave some twisted TED talk to six witnesses, Manik’s literallywithDaniel trying to find said witnesses…and, let’s face it, Zoe’s just a badass. As of now, everyone’s name will be crossed off in red ink.” He gave me a look. “Except yours.”
“Exceptmine?” I gave him a look right back. “Come on. I was never on the list to begin with, Tag.” I shook my head, thinking of my angel-on-top-of-the-Christmas-tree image. “Jeez.”
“You will be when Danielreallythinks about it, and so will the rest of campus, because there’s a chance heisgoing to share the clues.” Tag held up the envelope. “Lily, if we don’t hide this one, which I do admit is middle school-level mean—”
“Translation: pure evil.”
