“I thought you didn’t like those boys.”
“I don’t, but they were driving by and I flagged them down for help. I didn’t know it was them until they stopped.”
“You’re telling me those two just happened to be out driving on that road on a Saturday night?” He huffs. “C’mon, Ella. You know I’m smarter than that. There’s almost nobody on that road except for the people who live out there, and you’re telling me some rich kids just decided to go drive out to the middle of nowhere instead of going to a party on Saturday night?”
I need to explain, or he’ll keep asking questions. I’ll tell him part of the truth, the part that the guys seemed okay with people knowing.
“They were driving out there to get weed. Well, Finn was. He was with us but we dropped him off. That’s why it took me longer to get home.”
“Finn. Do I know this kid?”
“I don’t think so. He hangs out with Briggs and Parker. Anyway, there’s this guy that apparently has good weed and Finn drove out there to get it. Briggs and Parker were just along for the ride.”
“Did you try it?” my dad asks.
“No! Dad, you know I don’t do drugs. What is going on with you? Why are you acting like this?”
“I was talking to...” He shakes his head. “Never mind. I just find it suspicious that you show up here with two boys after being gone all night.”
I walk up to him. “I promise you, whatever you’re thinking went on didn’t happen. The truck broke down and those guys picked me up and drove me back to town. That’s it. Ask them if you don’t believe me. Nothing went on with any of them. I hate those guys, and they feel the same way about me. In fact, theycouldn’t wait to get rid of me, especially Finn, because I puked in his car.”
“Why?” he asks, sounding concerned. “Are you sick?”
“No, I was just nervous you’d be mad that I left the truck out there. But I swear, Dad, it wouldn’t start.”
He eyes me, looking like he still doesn’t believe me, but then holds his arms out. “Get over here.” I step up to him, and he brings me into a hug. “The important thing is that you’re home safe.” He kisses the top of my head. “You know you can tell me anything, right? Even if I may not like it, I want you to be honest with me.”
“I know.”
He lets me go. “Let’s get inside. Are you hungry?”
“No. I just want to go to bed. It’s been a long night.”
When we’re in the house, I go straight to my room. I take a quick shower and get into bed. As I go to turn off the light, I hear my phone ding. It’s a text from Briggs.
How’d it go?
He accused me of being on a date and lying about it.
A date with who?
Either you or Parker. He didn’t say which.
What’d you tell him?
The truth. I said the truck broke down and you guys picked me up.
Did he believe you?
Not at first but I think he does now.
Did you tell him anything else?
I told him about Finn getting his weed. I had to explain why you guys were out there.
And?
I think he believed me. I’ll see how he is tomorrow. I think he was in a bad mood tonight.
