Page 39 of The Best Is Yet to Come

“We used each other,” she agreed.

“I apologize for my part. Like I said, lesson learned.”

“It hasn’t been a bed of roses for me, either, you know,” she returned.

This was too much. “Please, Callie, tell me how you’ve suffered. I’m all ears.”

Embarrassed, she hung her head.

She had the good grace to say nothing.

“I can’t imagine what story you made up as to why you agreed to be my date.”

“I know you did your best to help me, Spence. You’re right, I used you. I probably should have gone to my parents about Ben instead of coming to you for help. Then when you wanted to take me to homecoming, I felt people would think…Idon’t know what they’d think.”

“You didn’t want any of our classmates to believe you were attracted to me. The über-geek. Trust me, the message was received.”

“I’m sorry,” she whispered.

“Well, that’s progress. We understand each other. Now let’s go into the dance and do our best to have a good time.”

He waited, hoping she’d understand why this was important.

Callie looked up at him again, her doe eyes pleading with him. “Even after everything that’s happened, would you be willing to help me find out who’s supplying my brother with drugs?”

He hesitated, even now finding it difficult to refuse her.

“Ben was your friend once, and if ever he needed a friend, it’s now,” she said, her eyes wide and pleading.

Spencer found it hard to find his voice. It went without saying Ben wouldn’t listen to him and likely would resent any effort he made to reach out. “I’ll think about it.”

She swallowed and impulsively hugged him. “I knew I could count on you.”

“Callie, listen. Even if I agree, you need to understand there’s only so much I can do. Are you sure you don’t want to bring your parents in on what’s happening?”

“I can’t. Not yet. I will if I have to, but not yet.”

Spencer could understand her hesitation because of all the ramifications that would come down on Ben.

“I need to find who’s giving him the drugs,” Callie said, looking thoughtful, as if her mind was reviewing who it might possibly be.

“Come on, Callie, you have to know nothing is going to deter Ben if he’s addicted. He’ll simply find another dealer, and trust me, there are plenty of them out there.”

“He won’t,” she insisted. “I won’t let him.”

“And you’re going to stop him how?”

“I haven’t figured that part out yet. I’m hoping that once whoever is doing this is exposed, the school will step in.”

“What about Ms. Goodwin?”

“What about her?”

“Talk to her. Explain the situation.”

Automatically Callie shook her head. “I can’t. She’ll be obligated to take it to the authorities, and that would be even worse than telling my parents. Mom and Dad would never forgive me for not going to them first.”

She was right. Still, if Ben was truly addicted, he’d take his business elsewhere. The one hope Callie had was to involve her parents so they would get Ben the help he needed. “You’re convinced it’s another student?”

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