Page 22 of Where the Darkness Goes

She pauses her process of sorting through jewelry to look up at me. “Why?” A smile plays on her lips, then suddenly she’s launching across the bed toward me. “Oh my god, Tessa Becker,spill.Right now. Do youlikeGarrett?” She drops to her stomach, fists under her chin as she waits for the hot gossip.

“Gross, no.” The response is instant and impulsive. And a complete lie. Except I didn’t realize it until right this moment. I’ve never let myself consider the fact that I mightlikeGarrett. “He’s my brother’s best friend.”

“That doesn’t make him ugly.” She grins with her tongue pressed between her teeth.

“I mean, yeah, he’s not ugly,” I admit, my insides swirling. What does this even mean? How am I supposed to look at him again? How am I supposed to be in the same room with him? He’s going to see it all over my face.

“But?” Britney prompts.

“But I have a boyfriend.”

“Mm-hmm. So you don’t care if I make out with him tonight?” She rolls off the bed and stands. With a pointed look, she rests a hand on her hip and waits.

She knows the answer. I can see it all over her face. I’m positively mortified and don’t know how to process any of this, nor do I have time to. Why didn’t I see it before?

I stare at her, rage and fear washing through me as images of Britney kissing Garrett flash in my mind as if flicking through channels. “I mean…you can do what you want, I guess?—”

She bursts out laughing, mouth open, and smacks the air. “Girl!Why did I not know this before? You’ve got it bad!”

“I do not!” I cry, but it’s no use. She knows me. I cover my cheeks with my hands, trying and failing to hide my blush.

She purses her lips. “Maybe we should cancel on Brendan and tell Garrett he was sick and couldn’t make it. After Garrett gets here, of course.”

“Don’t be silly. If Garrett and Will get here and Brendan’s not here, they’ll just leave. He’s the only reason they’re coming. Besides, I like Brendan.”

“Okay, sure.” She gives me a look of mock sincerity.

“I’m serious.”

“No, totally.” Her cheeks are pink with delight as she beams, then she rushes to her bag, grabbing a strapless bra and tossing it to me. It’s the kind of push-up bra my mom would never allow me to wear. “Here. Put this on. Garrett—oops, I mean,Brendan—will love it.” She winks at me.

I scowl, tossing the bra across the room. “You’re the worst.”

She picks it up and hands it back. “Trust me, you’ll be thanking me later.” Once I’ve slipped it on, she admires me like a proud big sister. “And so will he.” She whistles just as the doorbell rings downstairs. She doesn’t bother to elaborate on whichheshe means.

CHAPTER TWELVE

GARRETT — AGE 18

“Dude, chill,” Will tells me, ambling up the hill as if we’re on our way to afternoon tea and not to protect his sister from some creep. Okay, he’s our friend, but he’s also a creep. “She’s still going to be there whether we break our necks running up this hill to get inside or not.”

Brendan’s red Pontiac sits just in front of where we parked, telling me he’s already here. Of course he is. Can’t be on time for practice, butby god, he’s early for her.

I shouldn’t care.

Damn it, I don’t care.

Not any more than is normal. She’s like my little sister.

Biggest lie I ever told.

I rap my knuckles against the door, listening carefully to the sounds inside, though it would be easier to hear if Will wasn’t in the background breathing like a damn wild boar as he ascends the hill.

“It’s not that steep, you big baby,” I snap behind me.

He’s laughing, because that’s what Will does. Nothing is ever serious for him. Not even his sister’s safety.

When the door opens, it’s Tessa who greets us. She’s wearing makeup like she wore to my party, though I rarely see her in itat school or around the house. Some gloss on her lips, dark stuff around her eyes. Extra pink on her cheeks, though maybe that’s from drinking.

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