CHAPTER ONE
ALL EYES ON ME
TARYN
My heart is pounding. Blood roars in my ears, and it’s not because I was running.
I blink as if that could change the words on my phone screen.
Unknown: Roses are red, violets are blue, someone’s a slut and I bet it is you.
Unknown: I know what you did this summer. End it with them, or everyone else in town will find out who you really are. XOXO.
Who is sending me these texts? When I got the first one a couple of days ago, I shrugged it off. I thought it was the wrong number.
Now I know that whatever this is, it isn’t a coincidence. Someone knows what I did, and they’re playing with me like a cat with a mouse. Or could that be something entirelydifferent?
My mind immediately went to why I left Hemlock Beach. But what if these text messages have nothing to do with Tim’s murder?
Genevieve’s smile earlier in the auditorium comes back to me.
“I’m so jealous. You’re going viral.”
I force myself to look at those vile text messages again. Maybe when they say that they know what I did this summer, they aren’t talking about Tim. Maybe they’re talking about Tucker, Colsen, and Nash. It makes sense since the second message is demanding that I end it with them.
And there’s only one person jealous enough to do something like that. Maybe it was Gen herself who brought that photo of me and Tucker in the club to Carole’s attention.
Since the second we met when Jodie and I arrived in town, Gen has done nothing but try to get rid of us. Of me in particular. She sees me as a competitor; as the biggest obstacle to her plan to be named team captain. And she keeps telling me to leave Mack alone. She’s convinced that I’m into her ex-boyfriend.
Maybe “end it with them” means Tucker and Mack?
I inhale a steadying breath. This is the most realistic option. That Gen is behind those messages. She’s been trying to get rid of me since the day of the solo performances when she tampered with my outfit.
She must have sent that photo to Carole, hoping that it would be enough to get me kicked out of camp.
The fact that we weren’t aware of the no fraternization rule means nothing. Gen’s mom must have told her about it, so she knew it was omitted from our paperwork even if due to a clerical error.
When the photo didn’t get me kicked out, Gen musthave flipped out and sent those messages. The timeline is consistent with my theory.
On the one hand, it’s a good thing that this isn’t about Tim. On the other hand, it sucks.
I care about Tucker and Colsen. And after last night, after they brought up the possibility that they might not want me to choose between them, I was hoping things might work out with them.
Then there’s Nash. For some reason he looked furious last night and this morning. I was planning to speak to him before we were made aware that even being seen talking to each other for more than a few minutes could mean serious consequences.
The small hairs on the back of my neck stand at attention. Is someone here?
I have the feeling that I’m being watched. I turn my head left and right. There’s nobody there, and yet I can feel eyes on me.
After a few seconds pass, I tell myself that maybe I’m paranoid. If the texts are from Gen, she could be anywhere within the campgrounds. Actually, I doubt she would follow me. People like her are more likely to act in the shadows than risk being caught in broad daylight.
I should go too. We’re learning a new dance routine today, and the last thing I need after today’s events is to be late to class.
With my phone safely tucked into the side pocket of my training shorts, I turn around to get back to the main building. That’s when I see him.
Someone is standing behind me, partially hidden by a tree.
All I spot before they hide is that they’re tall and they’re wearing dark clothes.
