Page 94 of The Unravelings

Oli: How’s the case?

I haven’t heard him talk about it too much. Usually, Jordy is front and center, ready to tell me all about his juicy case and who he has to find. I wonder if she’s someone special now that he’s stuck his fork in her buns.

Jordy: Exhausting. You know she’s a crafty little thing. Still don’t know her name or where she is. But we’ve got a lead on a traveling van that we’re going to scope out… I’m ready to come back there and party. Saw your pics, btw.

I stiffen, recoiling back. Pics? As in pictures?

Oli: What…pics?

I’m almost afraid to ask.

Jordy: Si had some fun stuff to share with me last night. Good for him about Daniel, too. Seems nice. But the cherry on top of our drunken conversation was the pictures of you all drunk and looking yappy. I saved them onto my phone so AntiEyes couldn’t make them disappear…

Great. That means he’s keeping whatever Si sent him forever. That’s not a good sign. That’s ammunition for blackmail he can use later against me to get his way.

Oli: SHOW ME JORDAN, YOU BASTARD.

Jordy: *attaches photos*

I take a deep breath and look through the five photos Simon sent Jordy. It was mostly the three of us, standing together and looking intoxicated as hell. Especially me. Pink drinks in our hands.

God.

This is worse than I thought. I was toasted beyond belief.

Jordy: Looking good, Livy Poo!

Oli: I’m going to kill you… And Simon. Bastards.

I can practically hear Jordy snort through the phone.

Jordy: You doing okay though? Like, how’s it going with you know who?

Oli: I’m fine. And that’s…

Not really fine. But that’s my motto, right? I’m fine. Everything is fine. Despite the situation being on fire.

Oli: It’s fine…but I’m never drinking again… Not after that.

Fucking Simon. Why would he send pictures to Jordy, anyway?

Jordy: You’re a badass, Liv. But…I gotta go; my jailers are forcing me to work this case, too.

Oli: Tell them I said hey and have fun!

26

Olivia

After that chat with Jordy, I sigh and sit on the edge of my bed, scrolling through SlamApp. I have a few hours before the blood drive starts, and even then, I don’t have to show up on time. So I keep scrolling through party pictures from multiple parties last night. Thankfully, I’m not in any of those.

As I set my phone down and rub my temples, JJ’s words from our study session come to mind. The way he swears, they had nothing to do with my death.

They weren’t in town. They didn’t know.

What is the truth?

My stomach drops as I realize what I need to do. Something I’ve avoided for over five years, conveniently burying my head in the sand and blindly doing my job.