Page 87 of The Roommate Lie

“Old Ponderosa,” I tell her. “My girl loves a living history museum. It’s her favorite thing on earth.”

Tiffany is picturing Jason’s vacation to-do list—we both are—and she pales the tiniest bit. I heard them arguing outside themining exhibit a few days ago. She thought it was strange the museum was on his list, all starred and underlined like it was a big deal, but I didn’t think it was strange. I also wasn’t surprised there were things on that list they’d already done together, or that none of the stuff Tiffany was actually interested in made the cut.

That list wasn’t for her.

And don’t think Tiffany hasn’t realized that too. I’ve given her all the confirmation she needs, and she glances at Jason. “Your ex loves museums?”

If she hadn’t been going after Alice twenty seconds ago, I’d almost feel bad for her. But she was. So I don’t.

Enjoy your half-interested boyfriend, Tiffany. You fought for those scraps, and now they’re all yours.

That’s been my suspicion all along, that Jason wasn’t sure if he wanted to leave Alice, that he was playing both sides and couldn’t make up his mind. That’s why he didn’t break up with her after things got serious with Tiffany, why he helped Alice plan a vacation to see him only to cancel at the very last minute. And that’s definitely why he already had the week off from work, while Tiffany had to scramble to get time off too.

Breaking up with Alice was a game-time decision. It was last minute, an impulse. But girls like her aren’t supposed to be a game-time anything—Alice is endgame. I knew that the moment I met her.

If Jason knows it too, he’s missed his chance. At least, I hope he has. He doesn’t glance over at Tiffany, and they don’t argue about anything that was said. They ride silently down the mountain, and that’s fine by me.

Once they get quiet, Alice rises up on her toes, angling her lips toward my ear. The nearness of her body, the warmth of her breath, making me weak.I’m such a sucker for this girl.

“Troublemaker,” she whispers, jabbing me playfully in the ribs, and she’s not wrong. I’d make a whole lot of trouble to protect a girl like her.

I think she can tell—I think she likes that about me—and her next words all but confirm it. “Thanks, Blythe.”

Alice’s voice is soft, that nickname cautious, but I don’t even think about denying her. “No problem, Carrots.”

When we walk back to my house, it’s basically DEFCON 5. My entire front lawn is a militarized zone, and if this isn’t peak Sharp twins behavior, I don’t know what is.

Is Tyler wearing camouflage?

He isn’t. It’s a trick of the light, but I can’t shake the image of him hiding in the brush somewhere with Lydia. Both of them waiting to annihilate their enemies.

I’m pretty sure that’s what they have planned for tonight: annihilation. They’re standing in front of a hodgepodge of supplies, and it’s such an odd mix. A plank of wood, an empty outdoor trash can, a small dish of dog kibble—whatever they’re up to, this can’t be good.

“The raccoon came back,” Lydia says when she spots us. “It stole Cookie’s backup toy—his stuffed lamb. And after I bought him a new stuffed bee today, the last one in the store, that disappeared too.”

“We didn’t even have the windows open. It just showed up out of nowhere,” Tyler adds, and his sister nods, her voice grim.

“This meanswar.”

Before I can talk them down, my phone vibrates with a text from my mom.

Mama Roscoe:You should come over tonight. We can work on your résumé before your interview.

I’m supposed to meet with Principal Sutter on Tuesday, Alice’s last full day before she leaves for Texas, but what’s the point? My mom has met Fiona Birdsong too, and she likes her just as much as I do—begrudgingly but completely. She’s going to be the perfect fit for Ponderosa Elementary, and we both know it.

I hesitate, not sure how to respond. My mom sends me another message before I can, and this one elicits a very different feeling.

Mama Roscoe:I ran into Fiona today. She pulled out of the running for the teaching job.

Mama Roscoe:She wasn’t sure if she wanted to live this close to her aunt. Mrs. Marks has that effect on people…

I sit with that news for a second, that feeling. Fiona was a shoo-in. She pulled out?

There’s a tiny flicker of hope in my chest. Then my phone buzzes again, and that hope flares a little brighter.

Mama Roscoe:I ran into Principal Sutter too. She said Fiona put in a good word for you.

Mama Roscoe:You’re still in this.

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