“The same.”
“Darren?”
“He hasn’t shown up, so that’s good news.”
My phone buzzed. A sudden hope ran through me that maybe it was Liam. But it was just my mom wanting to know where I would be.
I spoke with her, then hung up. “Oh, no. I just remembered I have a date tonight.”
“You made up with Liam? When did that happen?”
“It’s with Greg.”
“Greg Paterson? Are you serious?”
“He asked, I was mad, I said yes.” I rubbed my face with my hands. “What am I gonna do?”
“That was pretty stupid.”
“Thanks.”
“Just break it. Tell him you have other plans.”
“I guess. But what if things don’t work out with Liam?”
“You can do better than Greg. He’s got more muscles than brains. Trust me.”
After we got to the field and set up everything, I sat on the bench, trying to decide what to do. I figured that if there was any chance Darby was right and God did care about the small things, it couldn’t hurt to try.
So I prayed. Kind of. I mean, I still wasn’t sure what it was supposed to sound like, but I knew I needed help. And right afterward I got this funny feeling that I shouldn’t go out with Greg, no matter what happened with Liam.
Whether the funny feeling was me or God, I wasn’t sure. But I felt good about it. That is, until I spotted Liam walking up the bleachers. With Lexi.
I bumped Tess’s arm. “He’s with Lexi.”
“Just because he’s with her doesn’t mean he’s with her.”
Despite getting rid of my Todd delusion, I was still obviously delusional. I couldn’t even trust my own thoughts anymore. An hour ago I was sure they should be together and then I see them together and want to rip them apart. What’s wrong with me?
And at that moment Greg walked up to the bench and wrapped his arms around me. “Hey, baby, we still on for tonight?” He stuck his face into my neck, and I squirmed out of his arms.
“Watch it,” I warned him.
Greg held up his hands. “Later, then.” He trotted off.
“I told you,” Tess said.
“I’ll tell him.”
And I meant to, but through the whole game I just watched Lexi and Liam. Liam barely looked at me, so why did he drive all the way to the game? I was mad. So mad that when the game ended and Greg was waiting outside the locker room, I waved at Tess and said, “I’ll call you later!”
She looked stunned, and it gave me some measure of satisfaction. After all, it wasn’t very often that Tess was stunned.
Greg never stopped talking. By the time he pulled up to Sonic (not exactly a date place, if you ask me), he had recounted every successful pass he’d made during the game.
I was so bored, but too hungry to complain much. He ordered two meals and then asked me what I wanted. I asked for a wrap. He ordered it, then turned back to me. I really thought he was going to change the subject, but he hadn’t talked about the second half yet.
Once we got the food, he pulled out of the parking lot and parked farther down the road, where they were building a new strip mall. It was dark, but there were streetlights nearby. Greg polished off two burgers, an order of fries and Tator Tots, and chugged down thirty-two ounces of Coke before he ever came up for air. Gross.
“So where do you want to go?” he asked. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and shoved the last of his trash into a bag.
“Home,” I said.
“It’s early. Come on. Let’s go somewhere private.”
And even naive, fake-boyfriend me could tell exactly what he was talking about. He slipped his hand onto my thigh.
I picked it up and removed it.
He snickered. “So you really are the virgin, huh?”
“What does that matter?”
He moved his hand back, but I blocked him. “It doesn’t. I think it’s kind of sexy.”
“Really? Well, then you should find this super sexy.” I picked up my drink and, in one quick motion, yanked the top off and poured the whole thing into his lap.
Before he could react, I jumped out and slammed the door.
He jammed the car into gear and squealed his tires, kicking up gravel and dust all around me.
That went well.
I pulled my cell phone out of my purse as I headed back toward Sonic. Tess didn’t pick up, but I didn’t want to call home. I tried twice more, then got her on the third try.
“What?” she demanded.
“I’m sorry, Tess, but I need a ride.”
“I told you Greg was a bad idea.”
“You were right. You told me so. Fine. Just come pick me up, please?”
Tess grew quiet, so quiet that I thought I lost the call. “Tess?”
“I can’t leave right now,” she whispered.
“Tess! I’m stranded.”
“I. Can’t.”
“What’s going on?” I stopped underneath a streetlamp close to the Sonic, relieved to be near people again. I felt conspicuous but safe.
“Darren.”
“Take Ashley and get out of the house.”
“If only it were that simple.”
I heard yelling in the background and then Tess’s voice. “I’ve got to go.” The line went dead.
I looked around. I was miles from home. I looked for anybody familiar, but there was no one.
I tried my house but didn’t bother leaving a message. I even tried both of my parents’ cell numbers, and they didn’t pick up. It dawned on me a few minutes later that Mom had said they were going to the movies. Of course their phones would be off. But it was really strange for them to leave Darby. Maybe she was home, studying.
I tried Darby’s number. She picked up on the second ring.
“Mallory?”
“Hey, Darby.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine, but I kind of need a ride home.”
“I’m kind of on a date.”
“A date? Seriously?”
“Yes, seriously. Why are you so surprised?”
Um, maybe because Mom hadn’t mentioned it. Actually, we had all wondered if she’d ever date again. I didn’t point out that she hadn’t dated anyone since coming home from college. A date was major progress. I couldn’t ruin it for her. Besides, my mom would kill me.
“Never mind, I’ll figure it out.” I could hear a hushed conversation and then Darby came back on.
“We’ll come get you. Tell me where you are.”
I tried to protest, but since I was desperate, I didn’t try too hard. After saying good-bye, I sat on the curb to wait.
I was still worried about Tess. I couldn’t call her back since she probably wouldn’t answer, anyway. I wanted to go over there, make sure she was okay. She’d be mad, but what else could I do?
I paced, trying to make up my mind while I waited; but by the time a silver sedan pulled up, I was no closer to deciding what to do.
Darby’s window came down, and there in the driver’s seat was Brian. Darby is on a date with Liam’s brother?
“Hop in,” she said, a smile on her face.
I got in the back.
“Nice to see you again, Mallory. Under better circumstances,” Brian said. He pulled out and started driving toward my house.
“Yeah. Thanks for your help. And the ride.”
“What happened?” Darby asked.
“It’s no big deal.” I felt like an intruder. “I’m sorry for interrupting your night.”
“It’s no problem,” they both said at the same time. This made them laugh and smile at each other. I slumped in the back.
“Liam didn’t do anything, did he?” Brian asked.
“No.”
“Good, because I can talk some sense into him for you if you’d like.”
“It’s not Liam.”
Darby turned around in her seat. “You sure you’re okay?”
&n
bsp; I nodded. Reassuring her was nearly second nature.
Back home, I decided I had to go check on Tess. I so needed a car. I threw my bag on the porch, tucked my cell into my pocket, and started walking.
It was a really nice night, and it felt good to stretch my legs after cheering. I ran through the whole day in my head, trying to figure out if I could salvage anything at all.
Tess’s house came into view, but it looked dark. Her Jeep was in the driveway, though, along with her mom’s hatchback. I walked onto the porch. There were lights on in the house, but the curtains were pulled tight. I couldn’t see anything. I pressed my ear to the door and listened.
Nothing.
I opened the gate and went around back. They were definitely home. Tess’s and Ashley’s rooms were both dark, but the kitchen area was bright. I hunched down, moved up onto the deck, and hid under the kitchen window. Now I could hear voices. Well, really only one voice. And since it was male, it had to be Darren’s.
I stood up next to the window and peered in. I could see Darren pacing and hear him yelling. Mrs. Howard was wringing her hands and stumbling around after him, crying. Every time she reached for him, he pushed her off.
Then I saw Tess. She was sitting at the kitchen table next to the wall. The table made a barrier between them. She was watching, her hands folded and pressed against her mouth. I wanted to signal her, but I couldn’t without alerting Darren.
Suddenly Darren turned, and I ducked down. The voices were muffled; but I could hear a lot of cursing, and Mrs. Howard kept yelling, “Please, baby, please.”
I didn’t understand how she could call that nasty man “baby.” She was smart and was even successful before she started drinking. But she always had lousy taste in men.
I didn’t like eavesdropping, and since Tess seemed okay, I decided to go. I stood slowly to see if I could get another glimpse of what was happening before I left.
Darren was standing with his arms out, screaming at Mrs. Howard, who was now out of sight, likely on the floor.
And in his right hand was a gun.
CHAPTER 15
Darren waved the gun around in the air and yelled toward the floor, where I figured Mrs. Howard was. I moved so I could see Tess, who was still sitting quietly. If she was afraid, I couldn’t tell.
I sank back down on the deck, my mind racing.
I looked at my phone and started dialing even before I sneaked off the porch. I moved into the shadows near the fence.
“Nine-one-one, what’s your emergency?”
All of a sudden, what sounded like a dozen dogs started barking, the noise coming from every direction. Then floodlights lit up the backyard, and I heard the sliding glass door of Tess’s house open.
“Who’s out there?” Darren yelled.
I moved into the one corner where there was no light. A huge mistake. The gate to the fence was on the other side of the yard, and I wasn’t going to be able to scale the fence.
“Nine-one-one, what’s your emergency?”
Darren was out on the porch now, peering around the yard. I couldn’t speak, or even breathe.
“Where are ya? I know you’re out there. You left the stupid gate open. Trying to rob me, huh?” Darren stumbled down the stairs into the grass, walking and pointing the gun around. “Scared, huh? Shut up!” he yelled. The dogs were still barking.
Darren started toward the corner I was in. He moved slowly, peering as if he was trying to adjust to the light, and then he pointed the gun at me.
“Gotcha.”
“9045 Conrad Street. Hurry.” I said the words as Darren lunged at me. He snatched the phone out of my hand and tossed it over the fence. He grabbed my shoulder and a chunk of my hair, then dragged me up the deck stairs and threw me into the bright light of the kitchen. I tripped forward and fell to the floor.
“Mallory!” Tess said.
“You sit down.” Darren pointed the gun at her.
I stood up and backed away. Darren was laughing, and then, just like that, he sneered and pointed the gun at me. “You call the cops?” he asked.
I stole a glance at Tess. She held one of her hands flat and moved it toward the floor. Calm down, she was telling me. I felt as if every muscle was trembling. I could barely stand.
Darren stepped closer; the smell of booze and cigarettes was nauseating. Mrs. Howard was whimpering on the floor. Darren pressed the gun to my chin. Until that moment the whole thing had seemed surreal. As if it were someone else’s story. But the gun felt hard and very real. It occurred to me that I could actually die right here and now. My whole body tensed.
“Who. Did. You. Call?” Darren’s breath came out in puffs of noxious air.
“You better take off, Darren. The cops’ll be here any minute,” Tess said calmly.
“You put her up to this?” Darren whipped the gun toward her.
She didn’t even flinch.
Darren looked at Tess, then back at me, and then shoved his revolver in the front of his filthy jeans.
“Don’t think this is over.” At that moment we all heard the faint whir of sirens.
Darren spat on the floor but took off out the back door as the sirens grew louder and louder.
“Leave,” Tess said. She started moving around the room, righting chairs and cleaning things up.
I followed her into the living room. “Tess?”
“What are you doing here? I had it under control.” Tess didn’t even stop to look at me. She grabbed some glass liquor bottles as the sirens came closer.
“Under control? He was waving a gun around.” I searched Tess’s face for some clue as to how we both could see the same thing and yet still see something completely different.
“I know how to handle him. You should have stayed out of it.” Her voice got harder, angrier, as she kept talking. “Now I have to deal with the cops and explain—Mallory, get out of here!” This time it was an order.
“I was trying to help.”
Blue and red lights flashed over us as at least two patrol cars pulled up out front.
“Go out the back. Wait until they’re inside and then go home. Now.”
Someone pounded on the door. “Police. Open up!”
Tess pointed to the back; and I turned and left, feeling hurt, confused, and angry. She didn’t seem like the same Tess I had always known. This Tess was someone I had never met, and was kind of sorry I had.
I closed the sliding door and hurried around to the gate. She told me to wait, but I just wanted to go home. The side yard was dark, but I kept running, straight into something solid.
“Whoa there, slow down. Where are you off to?” The man’s voice was calm, and he had me by the shoulders. He flipped on a flashlight, and I could see the uniform. He let me go, then flicked the flashlight toward the house.
“Were you in there?”
I nodded. I should have just smiled and shrugged my shoulders. But no, I picked this moment to tell the truth.
“Are you the one who called?”
I nodded again.
He smiled at me and wasn’t the least bit threatening. After Darren, he was a welcome sight. “Let’s go back inside so we can talk about what happened.”
I shook my head. “I can’t.”
“Why not?”
“I have to get home.”
He nodded. “I understand. I’ll drive you.”
“It’s only a few blocks. I walk it all the time.”
“Now see, here’s the problem. I can’t let you go off by yourself. And besides, we still need to talk. Come on.”
He turned but stayed right beside me. I could run. One quick duck and I’d be down the road. But then what would happen? Would I be the one in trouble?
So I followed him to his car and crawled in the back when he opened the door. He talked to another officer for a couple of minutes and then climbed into the driver’s seat.
At least he left off the lights and sirens. I told him where to go, hoping that everyone was still out. But
my parents’ SUV was in the driveway, and the porch lights were on. It occurred to me that I was the only one who really knew anything. So I didn’t need to admit to what I’d seen. I quickly pulled my story together: I was outside and heard yelling, got scared, and called 9-1-1. But it turned out to be nothing.
Simple.
The officer opened the door for me.
“Thanks for the ride,” I said.
He followed me up to the porch. Just as I was about to open the door, he stopped me and rang the doorbell.
My dad answered, and a look of panic crossed his face. “Are you okay? Is Darby okay? What’s wrong?”
“Sir. I’m Officer Vasser. Everything’s just fine.”
“Ryan? Who is it?” My mom appeared in the doorway and went through the same questions as my dad, only more frantically.
“If I could come inside, I’ll explain everything,” Officer Vasser said.
On the way to the living room, my mom switched gears. “Did you do something? What did you do?”
I slumped into a chair while my parents hovered on the edge of the couch. Officer Vasser explained what had happened and why he’d brought me home.
“I just needed to hear your daughter’s version of the events. For the report, you know.”
“Of course, of course.” My dad gestured toward me. “Ask her anything you’d like.”
Officer Vasser and my parents all turned to stare at me.
And I told them my story. It was actually true—just minus a few details. I feigned ignorance at his other questions. When the officer was satisfied, my parents showed him to the door and then returned to the living room.
My mom planted her hands on her hips. “Is that what really happened?”
“Yes.”
“What aren’t you telling us?” Dad asked.
“Nothing.”
Dad sat on the coffee table in front of me. He looked older, grayer. When had that happened? “Mally, listen. We know something’s going on at Tess’s, but this is serious. We’ve stayed out of it up till now; but when the police are being called, well, we can’t stay out of it anymore.”
“Can we do this tomorrow?” I asked. “Please.”
Mom and Dad exchanged a look and then nodded. I stood up, feeling exhausted. I just wanted to close my eyes and not think.
Me & My Invisible Guy Page 12