Game of Fear

by Kabongo, Glede Browne

  “No, I didn’t. It’s a brief visit. He’s on his way to Logan.”

  “This is way awkward.”

  “Why? Ty is a friend.”

  “A friend who’s in love with you. I saw the way he looked at you.”

  “Are you serious?”

  “Yes.”

  “There’s no reason to be insecure about Ty. Whatever I felt for him, that’s in the past. We care about each other, but nothing romantic is going on.”

  “Have you told him about us?”

  “Yes.”

  “How did he react?”

  “He was happy for us.”

  For the first time since the conversation started, he relaxes. “Are you sure this is just a surprise visit on his way out?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I don’t know. Something about this visit is weird. Most people scramble to hit the road the day before Thanksgiving, as early as they can. Yet, he took time out to come see you. He could have called or texted. He could have planned a visit. Instead, he takes a detour on one of the busiest travel days of the year.”

  I can’t dispute his logic. All I can do is alleviate his suspicions. Before I get the chance to come up with something plausible, he jams his hands into his pockets and starts pacing.

  “And there’s also the way Callie and Frances were looking at him and me. I feel like the four of you are in on something, and I’m left out in the rain like some unwanted fool.”

  “No, baby, that’s not true at all.” I lift his arms and place them around my waist. “Please don’t feel that way. What you saw was just the girls being nervous. They know how I used to feel about Ty, and it was just weird for them, seeing the two of you in the same room.”

  “You can trust me with anything,” he says, rubbing his forehead against mine. “I want you to come to me if you’re in trouble or hurting. I want you to be happy.”

  I’m such a fraud. I have a great guy who’s been straight with me, and all I do is lie to him. As if that wasn’t bad enough, I went behind his back and made a deal with someone he considers his competition. I don’t like me right now. I’ll find a way to get over it, though.

  “You do make me happy,” I assure him. “And I trust you.”

  “Good. I have a confession to make,” he adds.

  “What is it?”

  “You’re not the only one with trust issues.”

  “Oh?” Even though Callie told me the same thing that night after Evan’s party, there’s something special about Christian telling me in his own words.

  “All my life I’ve been trained not to trust anyone.”

  “Because of your family?”

  “Yes. My parents transferred their jaded attitude to me. No one could just like me for me. It’s all about the Wheeler name and money.”

  “That makes life challenging.”

  “It’s not when I’m with you.”

  That phony feeling is rearing its ugly head again. I kick it to some faraway place. I kiss Christian, and at that moment, I know I will break his heart.

  Ty is about to leave to catch his flight, and I’ve spent all of two minutes with him. We head out to his car to chat, but not before I remind Callie in front of everyone that she left her bag with some sample dresses and her sketchbook in my car and that I would bring it once I’m done talking to Ty.

  Once we’re both inside the car, Ty cranks up the heat to keep us warm.

  “How is Christian about me showing up?”

  “Suspicious. I had to reassure him.”

  “Can I ask you something?”

  “Sure.”

  “You may never want to speak to me again after I ask you.”

  “We’re always honest with each other.”

  “I’m glad you came to me for help, but why did you ask me and not him? Why won’t you tell him the truth?”

  I sigh and dig deep inside. I’ve backed myself into a complicated corner, and under the scrutiny of Ty’s question, I don’t know if my reasons will stand up. I give it a shot anyway.

  “Our relationship is new. I want it to be just that: a new, exciting relationship full of possibilities. We’re still getting to know each other. It’s not the time to bring in something this heavy, although the window is closing. Besides, it would be inappropriate to ask him for the money, although I’m sure he wouldn’t hesitate to help me. With you and me, it’s different.”

  “So, you’re hiding who you are from him, all of you?”

  “Everybody has secrets, Ty. This is not an easy thing for me. I struggle with it. And maybe I’m selfish.”

  He drums on the steering wheel. “Why do you say that?”

  “Christian doesn’t trust people because of his upbringing. He has opened up to me, and he’s going to dump me when he finds out I’ve been keeping secrets from him. He thinks I’m the perfect girlfriend, wonderful and amazing. Call me vain, but I want to ride that wave for as long as I can. He invited me to Bedford Hills.”

  “Oh. I didn’t know you guys were that serious. Aren’t you moving too fast?”

  “What’s too fast?” I ask, shrugging.

  “I know you.”

  “I’m not fifteen anymore.”

  “I know. I screwed up.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “Sometimes, I wonder if…” He struggles to find the words. “Never mind.” He puts the car in reverse.

  “What were you going to say, Ty? It’s not like you to hold back.”

  “Maybe I’ve changed.”

  We sit in silence, the sound of the heat blasting from the vents keeping us company.

  “Be careful tomorrow, Cooper. Call me if you run into trouble. And think about telling Christian the truth.”

  “I should tell him when we get to Bedford Hills.”

  “However this turns out, I got your back. I always will.”

  “Thanks, Ty. Now get out of here before you miss your flight. Your mom will say it’s my fault.”

  “My mom loves you.”

  “Does she?”

  “Yes.”

  “If you say so.”

  After Ty pulls out of the driveway, I enter the house and start up the stairs with the bag. I’m one step up when I hear Christian say, “Let me carry that.”

  I freeze in place, then turn around to face him. He comes to stand next to me and extends his hand.

  “I got it. It’s just Callie’s stuff. I’m taking it up to my bedroom.”

  “Still, I don’t want you carrying anything up the stairs.”

  “It’s nothing at all. Besides, I don’t think my parents will be happy if they see you anywhere near my bedroom.”

  “I’m willing to risk getting caught. That bag looks heavy.”

  “I’m not that fragile.”

  “I know, but still.”

  I almost tell him everything right then, so the guilt will stop choking me. Then I remind myself that I have a plan.

  “You spoil me enough. I can make it to my room without any major disaster. Give me a minute. I’ll be right back, and you can tell me all about the plans for our trip.”

  “Your parents haven’t given a firm answer yet.”

  “They’ll come around.”

  Next thing I know, he takes the bag from me and lifts it. “What does Callie have in this thing? Are you sure it’s just clothing?”

  The hairs on my arms stand at attention. “Um…that’s what she said. She’s sensitive about her stuff, so please don’t open it.”

  “Hey, Wheeler, get down here so I can kick your butt in Assassin’s Creed,” Trevor says. “Oh, and Mr. Cooper is home. Stay strong, bro.”

  I didn’t know I was holding my breath until Trevor appeared and saved me from disaster. “You heard Trevor,” I say to Christian. “A butt kicking awaits you. What’s going on with you and my father anyway?”

  “That’s between me and Mr. Cooper,” he answers, coyly.

  It’s a few minutes after midnight, and the house is quiet. I hit th
e submit button on the last of my college applications. A sense of relief embraces me like a warm blanket. I don’t have to worry about the January 1 deadline anymore, and I can enjoy my holiday season. At least that’s the story I’m telling myself. I power down the computer, stand up, and stretch. I sense a presence behind me and turn around. Dad enters the family room.

  “I thought you were already in bed,” I say to him.

  “I had calls to make to a few foreign clients,” he says. He plops down on the sofa and motions for me to join him.

  Ever since Dad quit his job as chief financial officer of Orphion Technologies, he’s been helping companies all over the world access new markets and beef up their profits.

  “Is everything okay, Dad? You look frazzled.”

  “Your old man is all right. Working on an acquisition that turned out to be more involved than I anticipated.”

  “You work too much.”

  “You’re no slouch either. You’ve been working hard on your applications.”

  “I just submitted the remaining ones.”

  “Great. In a couple of weeks, Princeton’s early action decision will come in. I’ll save a bottle of our best champagne for the occasion, so your mother and I can celebrate.”

  I look away from him. It’s suddenly too warm in the room. My dad’s innocent comment floods me with doubt and fear. With the threat from The Avenger hanging over my head, I worry about my college plans.

  “What’s the matter, sweetheart? Are you nervous about Princeton? I’m not. You’ll get in. No doubt in my mind.”

  I turn my head toward him. “You’re my dad; you’re supposed to say that.”

  “I wouldn’t say it if it weren’t true. I’m proud of you, Abbie. Not just because you’re a brilliant student, but also because you’re an all-around A plus.

  “Does that mean you’ll let me go to Bedford Hills?”

  I didn’t mean to put him on the spot, but I have to know. Besides, I don’t want to think about The Avenger right now. It’s not good for my mental state.

  “Christian is a charming and persuasive young man.”

  “Is that a yes?” I ask. I can feel the excitement bubbling up from my chest.

  “Look, sweetheart, it’s not something I endorse—”

  “I know you’re worried, Dad.”

  “Let me finish. I can’t stop you from growing up. However, I’d rather know what’s going on instead of you lying to my face and sneaking around behind my back.”

  “Dad, I’ve never done that before,” I say, offended.

  “You’ve never had a boyfriend before,” he says, looking me dead in the eyes. “I was once a victim of raging teenage hormones. They can be as intoxicating as any drug.”

  I recline further into the sofa, mortified. Dad hit the nail on the head. When I’m with Christian, I do feel those hormones raging out of control, and I have to work overtime to keep them from gobbling me up.

  “I know it’s hard for you. Letting go. I’ll be out of high school in five months and on my own at college three months after that.”

  He squeezes my hand and stares straight ahead.

  “Dad, it’s going to be okay. You can’t protect me from life. You and mom have done a great job. It’s up to me now. I have to find my own way.”

  “You’ll understand one day when you have children of your own. I have a few conditions,” he says, turning to me.

  “What are they?”

  “You check in twice a day as long as you’re out there. You install a companion app on your phone. You take enough cash and a credit card with you. These are non-negotiable demands.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “I spoke to Alan Wheeler.”

  “You did?”

  “We’ve met on a couple of occasions, introduced by a mutual friend.”

  “Dad, you never said you knew him.”

  “I didn’t need to. Whether Christian was his son or someone else’s, my feelings wouldn’t change. I let him know that I will hold him personally responsible if anything happens to you.”

  That’s classic Jason Cooper: straightforward, thorough, and unflinching.

  “I love you, Daddy,” I say, hugging him.

  “Love you too, sweetheart. Now, go to bed. That’s non-negotiable.”

  CHAPTER 23

  Frances and Callie squeal like toddlers in the candy aisle and jump up and down on my bed. Thanksgiving day has arrived, and I just gave them the news that my parents agreed to let me go to Bedford Hills.

  “Oh, my goodness, there’s so much to do,” Callie says, out of breath. They’ve both stopped jumping and join me on the sofa.

  “It’s only for a few days. We leave December 27th. I have to buy a plane ticket right away.”

  “You won’t be needing that ticket,” Callie says.

  “I am not sitting in a car for eight hours. No way. I’m flying.”

  “We know,” Frances says with a goofy grin on her face.

  “What is it with the two of you this morning?”

  “Nothing. We’re just excited for you,” Frances says.

  “The Wheeler’s New Year’s Eve Party is epic,” Callie says. “There’s going to be a lot of press there.”

  “And please don’t do that thing you always do,” Frances says.

  “What thing?”

  “That face you make,” Callie says. “When someone or something offends you.”

  “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “The party is going to be filled with huge egos, people who think everyone should suck up to them. I can see you giving them the look and dismissing them like they’re idiots who shouldn’t be allowed to breathe.”

  “In other words, you want me to be anything but myself.”

  “Exactly,” Frances says. “You’re going to have to smile a lot, even when you don’t want to.”

  “A lot of attention is going to be focused on you because you’re Christian’s girlfriend,” Callie says. “Also, you need to watch out for vindictive exes and wannabes.”

  I rub my temples. This trip has taken on a new tone. I was looking forward to meeting Christian’s parents and spending time with him in the home where he grew up. He was going to show me his paintings, and we would spend every moment together, laughing and having a lovely time. Now, I’m not so sure.

  “What if I screw this up? You know I say the first thing that pops into my head. What if someone provokes me and I insult him or her?”

  Twenty minutes later, my cheeks ache from practicing my fake smile in the mirror with Frances and Callie hovering like two fairy godmothers. I’ve been to a couple of galas and countless charity events with my parents, and I never felt this kind of pressure. We spend the next half hour discussing my wardrobe for the ball, Frances’s upcoming newspaper internship in January, and Callie’s portfolio for fashion school. None of it could disguise our collective fears about tomorrow. The drop.

  “We can’t let you go alone,” Frances says. “Drop us at school in the morning so we can pick up my car. Callie and I will follow you.”

  “What if The Avenger is watching to see if I’m being followed?” I ask. “That’s what makes me nervous. She has to be around to collect the money.”

  “So, we should get there at least a half hour before you do, and hopefully ahead of The Avenger,” Callie says. “We won’t be too close, just hanging around the area in case you need us.”

  Anything could go wrong. I have this nightmare where someone chases me out of the store with the bag in tow, yelling that I forgot it, causing a scene. What if the cameras in the store capture my face? What if there are too many people around, and I can’t make the swap because someone will see it and call the store manager?

  “I have to wear something that won’t draw attention. No bright colors, no makeup, my hair up in a ponytail and covered with a dark baseball cap with no logos.”

  “And keep your head down without making it look like you’re doing it on purpose,” Frances adds. />
  “What’s our backup plan in case something does go wrong?” Callie asks.

  “Turn on the waterworks and threaten to sue the store for harassing a minor?”

  “That doesn’t sound like a good plan,” Frances says.

  “It’s either that or confess everything to my parents. It’s not an option I want to consider.”

  “Have you found anything from the logs since you put that software on Sidney’s computer?” Callie asks.

  “Give me a minute.”

  I leave the sofa and boot up my computer at the desk. I access the site that contains the logs of Sidney’s computer activities and punch in my username and password. The screen comes alive, populated with data.

  I do a quick scan, first looking for email activities. Sidney did not disappoint. She logged into her email account from her computer twice since I installed the software. I can also see which apps she opened. Even more intriguing is the fact that she opened her photos app.

  “She was looking at pictures,” I yell to the girls. They both appear at my side in seconds.

  “Let’s see what’s going on,” Callie says.

  I open the folder and start clicking on random pictures with the girls leaning over my shoulder. A ton of selfies with Sidney and her minions at various places, Sidney chugging down a bottle of what looks like vodka, Sidney in a cocktail dress at some party with three other girls I don’t recognize.

  “Boring stuff,” Frances says.

  “I know. So far, I don’t see any encrypted folders on her hard drive, so this is it for photos.”

  “There could be one for video,” Callie says.

  “I haven’t checked yet. Let’s get through these pictures first.”

  “There are hundreds of them,” Frances observes.

  “I’ll do a search for my name although I don’t think Sidney would be dumb enough to label anything with my name. It’s worth a shot, though.”

  I type my name into the search bar at the top right hand of the screen and wait. I get a no results response. After trying my name in variations of first and last name with no results, I’m convinced the photo I’m searching for is elsewhere or labeled with a name I won’t recognize on her computer. A deep-seated disappointment flows through me after an exhaustive search yields nothing. Does it mean Sidney is not involved in the blackmail, or her accomplice has all the files?