Page 70 of In the Air Tonight

“Why what?”

“Why you changed overnight from a happy, well-adjusted teenager to a sullen, withdrawn shell of your former self.”

“Yes.”

“And Sienna! Your friendship with her ended so abruptly. Was she part of this?”

“In a way.”

“Was she with you?”

“She was the reason I was there. She thought Cam was cheating on her and wanted to spy on the party we weren’t invited to.”

“So she saw it, too?”

“Yes, but no one can know that. She wasn’t willing to help Neisy or come forward. She’s the one who made me keep quiet—or else.”

“Or else what?”

“Everyone would hate me, including my own brother.”

“Oh, Blaise… Honey…” Her voice is laced with agony. “Whydidn’t you come to me?”

“Because! I wasn’t supposed to be there, and I was afraid of getting in trouble. I never wanted to cause problems like Teagan did.”

“I would’ve moved heaven and earth to help you.”

“You would’ve made me report it, and Sienna was right. Everyone would’ve hated me, including Arlo. At seventeen, that would’ve been worse than living with the truth, or so I told myself.” I look down at the table, which is nicked and scarred from years of homework and projects and family dinners. “In fact, living with the truth stuck inside me was hell. I’ve thought of it every day. Every single day.”

“I’m so sorry you’ve been through such an ordeal.”

“I don’t deserve your sympathy. I disobeyed your rules and did the exact wrong thing when I saw someone in need. I’ve been so ashamed of myself.”

“You were a kid, Blaise.”

“I was seventeen. Old enough to know better.”

“You witnessed something traumatic. Your best friend demanded you stay quiet and told you everyone would hate you. I don’t think you should be so hard on yourself.”

“Too late.”

“So when I told you he’s running for Congress…”

“I couldn’t take it anymore. I reported it to Houston Rafferty yesterday.”

“Oh God,” she said with a deep sigh.

“Oh God, what?”

“Arlo quit his job to run the campaign.”

“No. When?” This is devastating news. Arlo has a family to support.

“Last week.”

I drop my head into my hands. “He’ll never forgive me.”

“Yes, he will.”

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