Page 11 of Her Wicked Knights
We don't speak again until we're in my car after the movie, the quiet too loud before I get a chance to put any music on. It's Tripp who breaks the silence.
"So... should we tell anyone what happened?"
I turn in surprise, to find him watching me thoughtfully. He wants to tell people?
"If you want, yeah." I swallow my nerves. "I mean, I've wanted this for a while."
He frowns, the line between his brows creasing. "You've wanted to catch Jake and Audrey cheating? You knew?"
"Oh," I rub my chin, nodding. Of course he's talking about that. "I mean, I suspected. They always seemed so chummy."
"Right." He nods. "We have to tell Marley, right?"
"Of course." My throat feels dry, so I reach for the soda I dropped into the center console when we first got in. "Yeah, it's only right. Right?"
To be honest, I don't know if telling Marley is the right thing to do or not. The better thing would probably be to confront Jakeand Audrey and make them tell Marley themselves, but I can't imagine them doing that. This is the next best solution.
"Right." Tripp nods. "Should I text her?"
"No." I answer that one with certainty. "No, that's not the kind of thing we should reveal in a text. We'll just have to... get her alone to let her know."
"She's never alone." Tripp rolls his eyes.
I nod idly as I pull out onto the highway, letting my brain work through all the implications of tonight as the black pavement unfurls before me. The roads are slow tonight, without a lot of people around. It's nice, so I find myself picking up speed, driving faster as I shift gears and punch on the gas. I don't even realize I never turned the radio on, the hum of the engine serving as the only sound in the small car for the majority of the way home. It's not until I pull in his driveway that Tripp turns to me, mustering a smile. "Everything okay?"
"Of course." I grin, waving a hand at him. I glance at Marley's house, which is dark. They didn't even leave a porch light on while they went out of town for the weekend to visit Hadley. "Let her enjoy her weekend with her sister. We'll tell her later at school."
Tripp nods, pursing his lips together. I can tell he wants to say something more, but whatever it is, he pushes it down and nods. He's already out of the car with the door shut when he turns around to lean on the open window. "Thank you." He says, roving my face like he can find some sort of explanation on it without having to ask for one. "For tonight." He clears his throat. "It meant a lot to me. You mean a lot to me."
"Yeah," I grin, "Me too."
His tongue flicks out to smooth over his lips, and I wait for whatever he's about to hit me with, but it never comes. Instead, he nods, taps the window frame with a hand, and then lifts his hand in farewell as he turns to go. He leaves me alone with myhumiliation, and I can't stand it. I back out of his driveway fast, like maybe that will keep it from following me home.
It doesn't.
7
Marley
Ishutmylockerand nearly jump out of my skin when I see Tripp's face on the other side. He grins sheepishly and Rev rushes to settle me with a hand on the shoulder as I place my hand over my heart, willing it to slow. I was so lost in my thoughts, I didn't even hear anyone approach. "Tripp," I laugh, breathlessly. "And Rev."
"Hey, Mars." Rev cocks a grin.
"You guys scared me. I didn't expect anyone—"
"Just me," Tripp shrugs, and I get the sense there's something more he wants to say. But whatever it is, he lets it go unsaid as he takes my other side, flanking me on the way to the car. I've never had them escort me out to the parking lot before, but I don't hate it. I'm honestly grateful for the company, since Audrey is staying late for cheerleading squad auditions. She begged me to join her, all but gave me her cat in order to convince me, but it's just not something that interests me. I've got all the grace of a girl trying to avoid being stung by a bumble bee. My offer to stay and watch as a show of support was turned down, so I'm driving myself home today. I took my time at the library after last period let out,avoiding the rush of traffic, and I'm grateful not to have to walk through the desolate parking lot alone.
The sky is darkening overhead with every step we take, gloomy and ominous. I may even wait it out with them here, so I don't have to drive home in a thunderstorm.
"What are you doing here so late?" I ask, glancing at my cell phone to see exactly what time it is.
"We were waiting for you," Rev says, taking my bag as I rifle through it for the keys. With him holding onto it, I'm able to find what I need right in the front pocket, and when I reach for it back, he brushes me off, as if it's heavy or something.
I mean, it is heavy, actually. Letting him carry it is a nice reprieve after toting it around the library for the last hour.
"You were waiting for me?" I laugh. "Why?"
They share a look over my head that I pretend not to notice as I await an explanation.
