by A. J. Logan
I’m really trying not to be obvious, but I’ve never seen someone sit and share a bowl of live crickets with a snake like it was a bowl of popcorn.
Prying my eyes away, I concentrate back on the stack of yearbooks on the table. Flipping through, I search for my dad first. Trailing my finger down the list until I stop when I see Stanley Caine. Looking over to the row of pictures, I spot a teenaged boy that’s a younger version of my dad.
It’s true. He was a student at Golden Olympus Academy.
“You must really be having a bad day.”
I jump as I look up to see Victoria taking a seat next to me, giving the librarian a disgusted glare before grabbing a yearbook from the stack.
“What’s all this?” Victoria flips through the stiff pages.
Returning my attention back to the picture of my dad, I don’t feel like I can trust anyone, but I still tell Victoria the truth. “My dad went to school here.”
“Really?”
“Yep.” I flip through the pages, looking for Candace, and sure enough there’s a younger version of her too.
The tuition at this school is more than the average person makes in a year. From the little bit I know of both sets of grandparents, neither had the means to afford this place. How and why were they here?
Searching out Nathan, he isn’t hard to recognize because he doesn’t look all that different.
Continuing through the names, I search to see if anyone else seems familiar. Only a Bass and a Hastings catch my attention for obvious reasons.
A hard cough causes Victoria and I to raise our heads, looking at the librarian. She slaps her chest before waving at us, signaling she is fine, and takes a swig of water.
Victoria looks over to me as we both grin. Apparently, the crickets aren’t going down without a fight.
I flip through endless pages of photographs until I stop on a page featuring prom pictures. Unsure what to make of the largest photo on the page, I study the smiling couple staring back at me—Candace and Nathan.
The pair look like the picture-perfect high school couple as they embrace, smiling for the camera. Candace exudes the happiest smile I’ve ever seen on her.
Even as a child, I never recall her being that happy. The few memories I can recall include her crying or fighting with my dad, which is one of the reasons I was always angry with myself. Why did it bother me so much that she’d left us when she’d never seemed happy with us?
I study a few other photos, spotting my dad on the other side of the page with a girl I don’t recognize. All the snapshots are candid. Just a glimpse into prom night, so there aren’t any names anywhere to identify the smiling faces. Studying the girl’s features for a moment, I flip back to the student photo section and search but can’t seem to find her.
They might not have told me what high school they attended, but I know my dad said that he dated my mom all throughout high school, so why are they not at prom together?
The bell signals for the end of lunch period, but there’s more information encompassed in the pages.
There’s something that I’m missing, and it’s right in front of me.
Closing the yearbook, I slide it under my science textbook as I grab the stack and cram them in my bag. I’m not leaving it here because I know there’s something there. It’s right in front of my face, obvious and important. Now I just need to figure out what it is.
41
The prom picture of Nathan and Candace won’t leave me alone, but I still can’t figure out what I’m overlooking in that yearbook. I stopped at Java Knox, spending way more time than I care to admit studying each and every photo. There’s not a name or face I wouldn’t recognize at this point but that’s still not helping me get anywhere.
My next brilliant move—buying a cup of coffee to drop off at Nathan’s office.
I’m trying really hard to keep my hand steady, but it’s not going all that great as more coffee splashes out of the small hole on the coffee lid. He knew I was snooping the last time so I’m already on his radar, but I couldn’t just do nothing.
Stepping inside the massive lobby, I approach the desk where the receptionist holds her hand up to me as she continues speaking into the phone.
Finally, she wraps up the phone call, then looks up to me.
“Can I help you?”
“I’m here to see Nathan.”
She takes a quick assessment of me before asking, “Do you have an appointment?”
“No. I’m just dropping this off for him.” I gesture to the coffee.
She exhales, reaching for the coffee. “He’s really busy. I’ll make sure he gets it.”
A few drops spill out as I move back to keep her prying fingers off the cup.
I don’t know what I’m expecting to find here, but I won’t find anything if I’m turned away already.
“Can you just tell him I’m here and let him decide for himself how busy he is?”
Her already unpleasant disposition intensifies. “And your name is?”
I hate doing it, feeling like I’m betraying my dad, but I have to figure out what’s going on. “Quinn Caine-Bennett.”
Her eyes light up for a second with recognition as she tightly grasps the receiver, bringing it to her ear. “Have a seat.”
“I’ll wait here.” I give her a curt smile as I stand, peering around, while she speaks into the phone before hanging it up with a loud thump.
“You can go up,” she says bitterly, waving me to the elevators. “Eighth floor.”
The elevator ascends painfully slow to the eighth floor before I step out, spotting another desk with a receptionist watching me.
All this just to get in to see Nathan? Even his office is a fortress.
I’m preparing for the second round of questions when her face stretches into a smile. “Quinn! It’s so nice to finally meet you.”
She stands from the desk, coming around as she pulls me in a quick embrace.
Remaining still, I hold the coffee out, scared I’m going to drip some of what’s left on her light-blue pantsuit.
Backing away, she smiles before turning and gesturing to follow her. We walk down a hallway until she stops at the last door, twisting the handle before pushing it open.
“He’ll be right in.”
I walk slowly into the office as she shuts the door behind me, flinching when it closes before I rotate to examine the office.
The gorgeous view of Knoxville captures my attention, allowing the first bit of calmness to settle over me since I’d arrived in the lobby.
Deciding to not take a chance of getting caught digging in his desk, I take a seat in front of a large wooden desk that is double the size of the one in Nathan’s home office.
Only seconds pass before the door opens, and a beaming Nathan strolls through the door.
“Hey! What an awesome surprise!” He plops down in the chair next to me, loosening his tie.
“I just wanted to bring you a coffee. Figured you’re always being so nice to me that I’d return the favor. My gift is a little less expensive though,” I joke, hoping to ease my nerves a bit because the feeling from the tranquil view has escaped me.
He leans forward, plucking the coffee off his desk as he drinks it down. “Couldn’t ask for a better gift. I’ve been in nothing but meetings all day.”
Meetings sound better than what I’d been doing today as I think to the yearbook. “I watched the librarian eat crickets today.”
He pauses mid drink, staring at me. “Is that a metaphor for something?”
“Nope. Real, live crickets.” I give him a tight smile. “But she shared with her snake.”
“Okay.” He resumes drinking his coffee, seemingly processing the info.
This was really pointless. I can’t investigate Nathan. I don’t know what I’d hoped to find, but I know I don’t want to find anything that says he was somehow involved or worse, responsible for my dad’s accident, which makes me feel guilty for my dad’s sake.
&n
bsp; “I’m gonna head to the house.” I jump up, moving to the door as he stands.
“Quinn.”
I halt, hesitantly turning to look at him. “Yeah?”
“Is there something you want to talk about?”
I shake my head, unable to speak before rotating to reach for the door handle.
“Quinn.”
My breath hitches as I turn back to look again, afraid of what he might ask next.
His face is filled with concern as he holds up the coffee cup. “Thanks for the coffee.”
Managing to give him a weak smile, I snatch the handle before pulling the door open. I keep my vision straight ahead as I hurry to leave because I don’t want to believe that Nathan had anything to do with me losing my dad. Nathan has been one of the few highlights in my new world, but I’m questioning whether or not it has all been a show as I hear Detective Davis say to be careful who I trust.
42
Pulling to a gradual stop, I look around the parking lot. A neon Open sign flashes in the window, drawing my attention to the quaint little café. It’s not exactly the type of place I would’ve pictured Detective Davis enjoying, but he’s turning out to be full of surprises.
The uneven gravel presses against the sole of my black flats as I make my way inside. Scanning the tables, I don’t spot him, so when a hostess approaches, I have her show me to one of the vacant booths.
Detective Davis strolls through the door, heading my way. He waves to the waitress, Lindsey, who’s refilled my lemonade twice already. Her warm expression directed at him baffles me. Is it possible that he is actually nice to someone?
“Whatcha got?” he asks, sliding into the booth.
“Hello to you too,” I say, flopping the yearbook on the table before opening it to the page containing Nathan and Candace’s prom picture.
“What’s this?” He studies the picture, looking at me with confusion.
“It’s Candace and Nathan at prom.”
“Okay … and?”
I knew it was a mistake calling him after leaving Nathan’s office.
“Candace was supposed to be dating my dad in high school. This doesn’t look like they were dating each other.” Pointing to my dad, I motion to the girl next to him. “And I can’t figure out who this is.”
He studies the photo a little closer. “Did she attend the Academy too?”
“I don’t know. I just found out my parents went to Golden Olympus.” The words are bitter as they leave my mouth.
“Yep.”
“You knew? Why didn’t you say anything?”
“It didn’t seem important at the time.”
“Then why would they lie about it?”
“I’ll dig a little more into their high school years, but nothing sent up a red flag last time.” He studies the picture of the girl with my dad as an odd expression crosses his face. “It’s possible this goes back further than the contracts.”
I watch as he flips through a few pages before holding up the yearbook. “Mind if I keep this.”
“Go for it.” It’s not like I was getting anywhere with it. Hopefully, he can find something.
“Let me know if anything else comes up.” Sliding out the booth, he pauses, taking a quick glance around the nearly empty café. “Be careful, Quinn.”
“I will.”
Davis grips the yearbook, slapping against the hard cover as he makes his way over to the counter where Lindsey is waiting for him with a to-go container. He leans against the counter, whispering something to her as she smiles before giving her a kiss reserved only for a significant other, and then walks out of the café.
She walks over, asking if I’d like anything else.
“I’m good. Thanks.”
Before she turns to walk away, I ask a stupid question because I know I shouldn’t be prying. “You know Detective Davis?”
“He’s my husband,” she smiles, looking to where he’d exited the café.
“Oh,” I bite the inside of my lip, debating if I should ask, but she answers for me.
“Just give him time. He has unconventional ways, but he won’t let you down.” Giving me a pat on the hand, she walks away to check on the man sitting at the counter.
I’m in no hurry to head back to Nathan’s, so I shift back in the booth, finishing the remainder of my lemonade.
If Davis can’t uncover something, I’m not sure how, or if, I will ever learn the truth.
43
My hands ache as I shut off the electric sander. A minute later, I’m still feeling phantom vibrations in my hands after I’d set it down. We have until Friday to get the project complete, and it’s already Wednesday. We would be much further along if Wade would get off his damn phone and help, but the one time he had, he’d caused more issues that in turn cost more time than it was worth. Grant and I haven’t complained since, allowing him to sit out so we can get done. It still doesn’t stop me from wanting to cram his phone down his throat though.
“I haven’t seen you around much.” Grant moves next to me, picking up the drill as we position the boards according to the drawing.
“Been busy.” Busy avoiding him and everybody else aside from Victoria.
“I’m still hanging out at Java Knox in the mornings,” he pauses while I hold the shelf in place as he drills the screw into the wood. I stand holding the shelf as he moves to the next screw. “I even buy your coffee just in case you show up.”
“I’m sure Allison would drink it.” My words blurt out before I can stop them. It’s not Grant with Allison that bugs me, it’s Allison. She’s made a point to continue making my life as miserable as possible since our run-in in the hallway.
His shoulders fall forward as he stands next to me before continuing to build the cabinet without another word, thankfully.
We finish assembling the shelf together and decide to stain it tomorrow so it will be ready just in time. I slide onto the metal stool, waiting for the last few minutes of class to pass by. Grant and Wade both have their phones out, ignoring me as I look around the classroom.
Hopefully, the next project won’t be a group assignment. If it is, I really need to see about switching groups. Wade clutches his phone in his hand as he looks up, his stunned eyes meeting mine. There’s something about the look on his face that tells me whatever is coming isn’t something good.
“What the—” Grant’s words fade out as I feel the vibration of my phone next to my hand on the table.
Holding my breath, I pick up my phone, hesitantly finding an unopened message from an unknown number.
My fingers clumsily swipe the message to the side as a picture appears on the screen. All I can do is stare at the out-of-context picture that was taken at Haley’s house on a night we’d had way too much to drink. It was just a stupid joke because everyone teased that the three of us were so close. At least, I thought it was a joke at the time. Now I’m wondering if there wasn’t something more between them as I study the picture that looks like a threesome. The fact that Haley and I have only bikinis on while Mason has on swim shorts leaves the appearance that we are naked.
The picture was only on my phone. I’d forgotten it was there because it’s been months since it was taken. The only way someone could have it was if they’d accessed it from my phone.
“Quinn,” Grant whispers.
I look up to Wade. He’d had my phone when he’d taken my keys out of my bag. Asher had my phone at the same time, or he could’ve gotten into it after I’d fallen asleep. I’d changed the passcode, but he’d gotten into it once, he could do it again. Either way, this all leads back to one person—Asher. It all leads back to him.
I jump off the stool as it falls to the floor behind me with a loud crash. Snatching my bag, I run from the judging stares.
Rushing down the hallway, I head straight to the room I know he’ll probably be in.
Swinging the door open, I see him standing to the side of the room.
He curses, barking to close the door
without turning around. I slam the door shut, but he doesn’t turn to look; he’s utterly focused on the developing prints in front of him.
Squeezing my hands into fists by my sides, I stand there fuming. He still doesn’t even turn around. “I hate you.”
“Good,” he mumbles, casually shuffling something on the table in front of him.
“That’s it?” I scream, moving in front of him. I force my body between him and whatever is so important on the table. “All this just to rub it in my face that my best friend is screwing my ex?”
His arms hang at his sides as he cruelly, grimly looks at me … like he hates me.
The silence hanging in the air is suffocating as I bite back tears. “Wh-why do you hate me?”
He lowers his head, glaring at me under hooded eyes. “Because you weren’t supposed to be there.”
“What?”
My question goes unanswered yet again. I wanted to hear him say he didn’t hate me. That he was just pissed at me for some stupid picture. Something. Anything but what he just confirmed. There’s not a part of him that cares about me. I’m truly nothing to him.
Riddles.
Lies.
Deception.
That’s all that exists in my life … plus pain.
Fury fills me. Tears fall down my cheeks. I’m standing in front of him, feeling more vulnerable in the moment than I had when I was sprawled out naked and exposed in front of him.
I ram my shoulder into him as I stomp out of the room. Wiping my face when I step out into the hallway, I fling the door wide open, knowing he still hasn’t moved. How can a person be so vile and heartless?
My vision is tunneled as I walk down the hallway, pushing the door open only to find Allison standing on the step of the school, smirking as I continue past her. “Now I know why you didn’t stick around to watch me and Grant. You like joining in on the fun.”
Every bone in my body wants to swing around and take my wrath out on her but I can’t because the tears won’t stop falling, and I won’t allow her to enjoy my pain.