Page 64 of The Lie
“If I do that, will you tell me why you killed Roman’s dad?”
Mila shakes her head at me and steps back into her house. “Talking and listening to your brother needs no reward, other than the reward of understanding and accepting him.”
“Fuck this.” I turn to leave. This didn’t help at all.
If anything, I’m more confused.
TWENTY-SEVEN
MILA
It’s been three weeks since that night in the trailer. It’s been hard. Turns out, people treat you differently when you’ve taken a person’s life, even in self-defense. I’m just glad Roman doesn’t have to go through this. I don’t think he would have survived it.
Thankfully, the investigation didn’t last long. The police believed my story. Hell, given the state Roman was in when they went to question him, they didn’t question him long over what had gone down. They believed that I forgot my phone and went back for it. Damon attacked me with the knife, and I grabbed it in self-defense, accidentally killing him.
But it sits there between us and the world.
The lie.
It makes us stronger, but if it was to get out, it would destroy us.
I’m being called a murderer in the halls. Roman hates it; he wants to hurt every person who gossips about me. The only thing keeping him from doing that is my touch. If I’m touching him, he knows I’m safe and with him.
That’s how the rumors started. Ones I knew would surface if Roman became my boyfriend. He’s not; he hasn’t wanted to talk about us, and I won’t push him. After what just happened, we can wait as long as we all need before we put a label on anything.
He’s happy with us all being together as friends right now. I will take Roman anyway I can, and if I get to hold his hand all day and keep him safe, I’m more than happy for the status quo.
Roman is still worried. He’s scared we will be caught and all go to jail. I think it will take time until everything’s behind us. The school counselor set up Roman and I with therapists to talk to, but it isn’t really helping.
Having to keep the lie is exhausting. Having to lie to my dad has been the hardest thing I’ve ever done. But I can’t tell him the truth. If anyone knows what really happened, it could get out and cause even more problems for Roman, Hunter, and me.
As I reach my front door, there are red roses on the porch.
Every Saturday, without fail, I get red roses…one more each week. Today, there are five waiting for me, and I look over to Jace’s house. Why would he bother with roses, when the last time he spoke to me he just yelled and asked me why I killed Roman’s father?
The Rebels won last night’s game against the Knights. Roman and Hunter played like I’d never seen before. They were unstoppable. Jace played a good game too, and Grady seemed happier. He’d sent me a text last night saying, “thank you.” I wasn’t sure what it was for, but I’m just relieved to see him more himself.
I hold the roses to my chest as I unlock the door, feeling uneasy. Dad made me promise I would always have someone with me, and I told him Hunter would be with me, but his dad came home to talk about Roman living there full time.
Roman’s been living there since it all happened. Hunter’s mom said he can stay, but I think for Roman to stay, they needed to go through child protective services, and Hunter said his dad had to come back for that. It happened today, so I’ve been at Sadie’s house.
I needed a distraction, and having her tell me the story of the night of the homecoming dance again is the best medicine. Not only did she get her dance with Tyler, she’s been on a few dates with him, and they kissed last night at the game.
At least she doesn’t treat me differently. She hasn’t asked me about what happened, but she told me she doesn’t believe the school gossip.
Why would I stab someone in the back? I bet Britney started that. That’s her favorite move.
“Hey, Mila.”
I look up and see Makai waving over at me. I wave back with a smile. “How are you?” I ask. No one has figured out that he’s the guy Britney caught kissing Grady. I’ve seen him over visiting Grady more this week. More study sessions, I guess? So cute.
“I’m good. Do you have a secret admirer?” He looks at the roses, and I smile.
“I guess so. It’s not Hunter or Roman.” I don’t add that they both think it’s Jace. I don’t want Jace to know that we’ve have caught on. Not yet, at least. Things with him have been less…tense.
Hunter said that he’d spoken to Jace. That he’d mended some of the hurt between them. Roman didn’t tell me much, but after last night’s game, I was glad to see the smiles on their faces. Even Jace’s.
“Did you want to come hang?” Makai offers, and I shake my head and smile.
