Page 100 of Above All Else

“But that doesn’t explain why I told my dad I went with her.”

“Maybe you were covering for her. You guys always did thatfor each other.”

I nodded and swallowed hard.

We were like sisters born into different families, keeping one another out of trouble, cheating on school papers, and cutting classes. I hung my head. “Did she say who this new friend was?”

“No. That was the time when I was trying to let her live her teen life.” She turned to Frank, tears flooding her eyes again. “That was obviously a mistake.”

“I’m so sorry.”

Carter draped his arm around me. “There’s no reason for you to apologize.” He pressed his lips to my temple, and I leaned into him, drawing in his acquainted scent.

“Well, I didn’t mean to make this evening so emotional.” She wiped her mascara-lined eyes with the back of her index finger, her eye rolling back, then smiled. “Okay. We’re leaving now.”

“Drive safe.Please.“ I hugged her and then Frank and then stepped back.

Carter dropped the picture on the shelf, then saw his parents out while I sat on the couch with nothing left to do but turn on the TV.

The door shut as I curled into the blanket, clicked the remote to the faux fireplace, and then flipped a couple of channels.

Carter dropped into the living room, his eyes heavy, then settled beside me, laying his head on my lap.

“Do you think my father lied to me?”

He let out a heavy sigh. “I don’t see why he would.”

“It’s just strange, right? It was in a box with a locket and someother knickknacks that I didn’t recognize.”

He stiffened. “What kind of locket?”

My eyes rolled to the side as I recalled the box. “Um...“ I touched my throat where the necklace would hang. “It was a gold heart-shaped with flowers etched in the metal.”

“And what else was in the box?”

“A postcard for Garden of the Gods, and a chainring.” His eyes darkened as I stared into them. “What is it?”

“It’s nothing.” He shrugged, the darkness fleeting from his eyes. “What do you want to watch?”

I moved his stray hairs away from his forehead. “I was thinking something scary.”

“Hannibal?”

Grimacing, I shook my head. “More like a slasher. Freddy Kruger.”

“Hmm.I like your style.”

I typed in the title and rented the movie. Carter turned down the lights with the remote that controlled everything but the curtains.

“Popcorn?”

I patted my belly. “Oh no. I’m stuffed.”

Chapter 26

Carter

The drive was like a descent into madness, each mile marker another nail in the coffin of my restraint. It blurred past me, a kaleidoscope of neon lights and shadows that twisted in my mind like the memories I’d tried to forget.

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