Since I don’t say anything, Toby continues. “Look on the bright side. With Tori gone we can actually act like a couple and not have to worry about her seeing us.”
“Great, more hiding. Telling her the truth was supposed to put an end to this once and for all.”
“Come here.” He pulls me closer to him on the wooden bench, and I snuggle into his chest to avoid the wind. It’s been a brutal March, definitely “in like a lion” or however that old saying goes, but it’s almost April now and the “out like a lamb” part doesn’t seem to be happening.
“Maybe I can convince my mom to homeschool me until I graduate.”
“Oh, and leave me here to fend for myself? I don’t think so.”
Toby’s all I have left. I couldn’t leave him. “Don’t worry. We’re in this together. I wouldn’t leave you to face everyone alone.”
He lowers his lips to mine, and for the first time since Tori walked in on us, I let myself get lost in him. I try to forget Meredith and what she might do to get back at Toby and me. I try to forget that Tori hates me, probably even more than she hates Meredith. I try, but it doesn’t last long because Meredith’s voice brings reality crashing back down on me.
“You two should enjoy this cozy moment because it’s going to be one of your last.”
Toby pulls away and stares at her. “What are you talking about, Meredith?”
“I’m going to have a little conversation with the junior class really soon, and then they’ll all see you for what you really are.”
“And what’s that?” I think I know where she’s going with this, but I need to know for sure. I don’t want any surprises.
“Oh, I think you know. And if you don’t already, you’ll find out soon. Guys like Toby Michaels are all the same. They’re only after one thing, and they’ll do whatever’s necessary to get it.” She looks at him like she’s about to spit in his face. “I’m going to make sure everyone knows what you did to me.”
I thought she’d moved past that. If she tells everyone—even though it’s a lie—Toby will never recover from it. “You can’t do that, Meredith. It’s a lie and you know it. You’ll destroy his reputation. You can’t just go around saying things like that. It’s unforgiveable.”
“So is using girls and then leaving them like yesterday’s trash.”
“You are yesterday’s trash!” I lose it. I jump up and swing at her, but Toby grabs my arm, and Meredith dodges my punch.
“You’re lucky you missed. After the assault at Tori’s party, I wouldn’t be able to let this go without pressing charges.” She storms off and I slump against Toby’s side.
I couldn’t feel more defeated. “What are we going to do?”
He runs his hand through his hair. “I don’t know. I can’t prove she’s lying. It will be her word against mine, and even if some people do believe me, it will still be out there.”
There’s no erasing an accusation like the one Meredith is planning. It will destroy Toby. For good.
Chapter 26
Toby comes over after detention. We didn’t think being at his house was a good idea anymore, so we moved our tutoring to my house. Although we don’t do any tutoring at all because we’re too worried about Meredith.
“She said she was going to tell the entire junior class. When will we all be together?” I rack my brain, trying to remember if student council elections or anything else class related is coming up. They usually let the candidates make speeches to the whole class before voting, and Meredith will definitely be running for something. But it was still too early to hold elections for next year.
“It’s the pep rally. It has to be.”
That makes sense. “When is it?” I never keep up with those things because I don’t play sports. They’re just a reason to miss class and nothing else.
“Friday, last period.”
“Four days. That gives us four days to figure out how to stop her.”
“I have to talk to her, get her to change her mind.”
“Think that will work? Meredith doesn’t strike me as the type you can reason with.”
“She’s not.” Toby’s face falls. He looks defeated already.
“Then we’ll have to make her listen.”
“The way we made Tori listen to us?” He’s giving up. Just like that. This isn’t the Toby I’ve known for seventeen years.
“Look, we’ll deal with Tori, but right now this is more important.” I take his hand and squeeze it.
He looks at me, but he doesn’t smile or show any sign of hope. “I’m sorry you’re getting dragged into this. First I ruin your friendship with my sister, and now you’re going to be labeled as the girl who’s dating a—”
I press my finger to his lips. “Don’t say it. It’s not true.” I lower my finger and kiss his lips, just a soft, quick kiss.
“I know that, and thank God you do too. But that’s not going to matter much after Friday.”
“She can’t do this. It’s crazy. It’s beyond being a bitch.”
He grabs my hand. “Becca, please don’t start yelling. I’m barely holding it together. If you lose it, I won’t be able to hang on.”
I take a deep breath. He’s right. I need to control myself. We’ll never think of a way out of this if we’re both screaming and wanting to rip Meredith’s hair out.
Someone knocks on my door, and I instinctively pull away from Toby. Mom and Dad know he’s tutoring me, but Dad isn’t exactly okay with Toby being in my room alone with me. Dad’s the epitome of overprotective.
“Come in.”
Dad pokes his head into the room. “Just wanted to see if you two wanted some hot chocolate. I was thinking of making some.”
Hot chocolate? Seriously, Dad? I’m sure this is just the first of many interruptions he has planned until Toby goes home. “No, we’re—”
“That sounds great, Mr. Daniels,” Toby says.
Dad smiles and nods. “What about you, pumpkin?” Another Dad tactic. Call me by the nickname he gave me when I was four.
“Sure, Dad. Sounds good.”
He nods again. “I’ll be right back.” He closes the door over but doesn’t click it shut.
Toby laughs. “I needed that.”
I get up and close the door all the way. “What? Hot chocolate?”
“No. A good laugh. He doesn’t trust me at all, does he?”
I sit back down on the bed. “Don’t feel bad. He doesn’t trust any guy where I’m concerned.”
“My dad’s pretty protective of Tori too. She’s lucky she’s dating Ryder. Dad backs off because he assumes I’m hanging out with them since Ryder’s my friend.”
I wonder if Tori realizes that. If she does, it’s not enough to make her forgive us. Thinking about Tori isn’t helping at all. My mood plummets, and I didn’t even think that was possible.
“Your dad is going to hate me when Meredith makes her announcement.”
I didn’t even think about that. What will Mom and Dad think? I hope they won’t believe the lies, but why wouldn’t they at least worry about me being with Toby when that kind of accusation is going around?
I throw my arms around him, just wanting to touch him, feel him close to me. “I’m not giving you up. No matter what. I don’t care if I have to sneak around so my parents don’t know we’re together.”
He pulls away from me. “I don’t want you doing that. I ruined one of your relationships already. I’m not going to ruin your family too. I can’t handle that.”
“Then we can’t let this happen. We have to talk to Meredith and convince her not to lie to everyone.” I cup his face in my hands and stare into his eyes. “I’m not losing you. Not after everything that’s happened.”
He places his hands on mine and sighs. He doesn’t believe we can do this. That thought breaks my heart.
***
Toby and I decide to confront Meredith during fifth period. She has study hall too, just not with me. I sneak out after Mrs. Engleberg nods off and
text Toby.
Becca: Ready?
Toby: Yes and no.
Becca: Get Meredith. Say whatever you need to get her to the stage. I’ll meet you there.
Toby: Wish me luck.
Becca: Good luck.
He’s going to try to appeal to the part of Meredith that once cared about him. He’s texting her to meet him in our spot. We both figured she’d like that. I’m going to hide in the wings and watch. I’m pretty much backup if Toby can’t get through to her. I’m hoping he doesn’t need me to convince her because my tactics aren’t going to be pretty.
When I get to the stage, I hide to the side where there are plenty of shadows, but I’ll be able to see and hear everything. It feels like an eternity before Toby shows up. I can tell he’s nervous by the way he keeps squeezing his hands into fists. I want to tell him to relax, but I’m too afraid to say anything since I don’t know where Meredith is, or if she’s even going to show.
Toby texts me and briefly glances in my direction.
Toby: She said she’s coming.
Becca: Good. We’re going to convince her.
Toby: I love you.
Becca: I love you too.
Meredith walks backstage. “What do you want, Toby?”
“We need to talk.” His voice shakes.
“If you’re thinking of trying to change my mind, you’re wasting your time.”
“You know it’s a lie. Why would you do this? I thought you cared about me. At one point, I know you did.” He steps closer to her, and the desperation in his voice breaks my heart.
“That was a long time ago. Before you dumped me for that nobody.”
I take a deep breath to keep from rushing out there and showing her just how much of a somebody I really am.
“Don’t talk about her like that. You don’t get to say anything about her. Just leave her out of it.”
“She won’t be left out when this all goes down. You know that, right? It’s not just my life you tried to ruin. You’re ruining hers too.”
“No.” I don’t mean to say it out loud, but I can’t help it. It just comes out. I step out of the shadows and toward Meredith. “You’re doing this. You ruined your own reputation when you made Toby pretend to date you again. You’re trying to ruin his life now with this blatant lie. And if I go down with him that will be your doing too.”
“I’m pretty sure I can live with that.” She crosses her arms, not caring at all that she’s hurting either one of us.
“And what are you going to do when we prove you’re lying? Everyone will hate you. No guy will date you after a lie like that. You’re going to be ruining your own life too.”
She lowers her arms. “And how are you going to prove I’m lying? It’s my word against his. You weren’t there, Becca. You have no idea. I’m surprised you’d date a guy who’d force a girl to sleep with him and then kick her to the curb anyway.”
“I didn’t do that. You came on to me!” Toby’s shaking. He’s not just pissed; he’s terrified. “I never even brought up sex. You did. And I turned you down three times before…” He looks at me and stops, and I’m thankful for that. I don’t want the details. I don’t need them. I already know Meredith is the one who’s lying.
“Tell yourself what you’d like. Whatever you need to do to sleep better at night.” She turns and tries to walk away, but I grab her arm.
“Wait!”
She glares at my hand on her. “Get your hand off me before I get you suspended.” I lower my hand because I know she’ll do it. “Look at you two.” She scoffs. “You’re perfect for each other.”
For once I agree with her. “Get out of here. There’s obviously no reasoning with you. You’ve completely lost your mind.”
“And you’re about to lose everything.” She walks off the stage, and I go to Toby. He’s shattered. I can see it in his eyes.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have come out and attacked her like that. I just couldn’t stand there anymore and listen to her…Ugh!” I want to scream. I want to ram my fist straight into a wall. No, straight into Meredith’s face.
“It’s not your fault. She wasn’t going to listen to me anyway. It’s over.”
I grab his hand. “No, it’s not. We still have time. It’s only Tuesday. We have until last period on Friday. We’re not giving up yet.”
“I wish Tori was on our side. She’s the only one who’s ever stood up to Meredith.” His mouth curves into a small, weak smile. “Well, other than when you shoved a wet dishtowel in her mouth and dragged her up the steps.”
“Want me to gag and hog-tie her until after graduation?” It’s a really bad attempt at lightening the mood, but I don’t know what else to do. I’m trying to remain optimistic, but the truth is, I’m pretty much as shot as Toby. Things look worse than bad.
He gives a feeble attempt at a shrug. “Maybe I should talk to Tori. She might be able to stop Meredith.”
“Tori isn’t going to listen to either one of us right now. She’s majorly pissed, and rightfully so.”
“Then I’m screwed.” He steps through the curtain and sits down on the edge of the stage. We always stay hidden in case the security cop walks through, but today, that doesn’t seem to matter much. I sit down next to him.
“We’ll talk to Tori. Together.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” He looks away, and I can only imagine what Tori’s been saying about me behind my back.
“Go ahead. You can tell me.”
“This is coming from Jeff. He’s the only one still talking to me after Tori told everyone what we did. Even Ryder’s keeping his distance—though I’m sure that’s because Tori’s making him.”
It’s amazing how quickly Tori’s risen to the top. I’d think Meredith would be too busy trying to fight Tori for control of the school to mess with Toby and me, but maybe that’s exactly it. Maybe she doesn’t think she can fight Tori, and this is the only way to get people to like her better. By pitying her. By sympathizing with her. It’s completely twisted and sick, which means it must be exactly what she’s doing.
“Did you change your mind about wanting to know?”
I nod. It doesn’t matter what Tori’s saying. She has the right to be mad, to lash out. “Meredith is scared of Tori. Think about it. Tori’s gotten too powerful in this school. She’s dating Ryder, who is still ‘big man on campus’ even if he isn’t playing baseball this year.”
“Meredith definitely lost points after Tori told everyone about us. She gets the sympathy vote for being cheated on—even though that’s not at all how it really went down. But still. She’s not the one on top anymore.”
“No, she’s not, so we have to go above her.” I have to beg for Tori’s forgiveness, and then somehow get her to do me a favor afterwards. I’m so screwed.
Chapter 27
While Toby is in detention, I drive to Tori’s house. I decide seeing Toby and me together would only piss her off more. Going alone—while totally terrifying—is the only way. I use the hidden key under the welcome mat to let myself in because I know there’s no way Tori would willingly open the door for me.
I head straight for her room, knowing that’s where she’ll be. The door is shut, and even though the polite thing to do is knock, I let myself in.
Her head jerks up, and her eyes widen at me. “What the hell? Get out of my room! How did you even get in the house?”
“Tori, please. I need to talk to you.”
“I have nothing to say to you, Becca. You betrayed me. You went behind my back and you destroyed our friendship. Now go! I don’t owe you anything, and I’m certainly not going to sit here and listen to more of your lies.”
“This isn’t for me. It’s for Toby.”
She narrows her eyes. “What makes you think I’d want to help him either? He’s half of your deceitful little pair.” She gets up and tries to push me back into the hallway, but I dodge her and step fully into the room.
“Meredith is going to accuse To
by of forcing her to sleep with him.” I get the words out as fast as I can, making sure she hears them. “Please. He’s your brother—your twin. Meredith is going to destroy him. And not just at school. Something like this sticks with a person. He doesn’t deserve this. You know he didn’t do it. That’s not him.”
She whirls around on me. “He doesn’t deserve it?” A twisted laugh comes out of her mouth. “Maybe he does. Maybe this is payback for what he did to me. What you both did to me. Whatever you both get, you deserve it, even if it’s at Meredith’s hand.”
Who is she? This isn’t my best friend. She’s completely consumed by rage. “You can’t really believe that.”
“Don’t tell me what I believe. You have a hell of a lot of nerve, you know that?” She points to the door. “I want you gone. Now. Or I’m calling the cops.”
“Go ahead.” She sounds like Meredith, threatening to press charges on me. “Meredith may beat you to it, though.”
“I heard what you did to her.”
“I did it because of you. She was going to try to destroy our friendship. I couldn’t let her.”
“No, because you did that all on your own. You didn’t need any help.”
“I know. I went about it all wrong. Believe me, I get that. I feel awful, Tori.”
“So awful you’re going to break up with Toby?”
What? Is that what she wants me to do? “You can’t be serious.”
“What if I am? What if the only way I’ll even think about forgiving you is if you don’t see him anymore?”
“I…” I can’t do that. I know I can’t. “Toby isn’t just some fling. Why can’t you see that? I’m in love with him.”
“Get out.” Her voice shakes, and I can’t help wondering if she’s about to burst into tears. “You’re no better than Meredith. You used me. Used me to get to him!”
“You think I was your best friend for seventeen years just to get to Toby? Are you listening to yourself right now?”
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