The Lie: Rebels of Ridgecrest High (Book 2)

It’s been three weeks since that night in the trailer. It’s been hard. Turns out, people treat you differently when you’ve taken a person’s life, even in self-defense. I’m just glad Roman doesn’t have to go through this. I don’t think he would have survived it.

Thankfully, the investigation didn’t last long. The police believed my story. Hell, given the state Roman was in when they went to question him, they didn’t question him long over what had gone down. They believed that I forgot my phone and went back for it. Damon attacked me with the knife, and I grabbed it in self-defense, accidentally killing him.

But it sits there between us and the world.

The lie.

It makes us stronger, but if it was to get out, it would destroy us.

I’m being called a murderer in the halls. Roman hates it; he wants to hurt every person who gossips about me. The only thing keeping him from doing that is my touch. If I’m touching him, he knows I’m safe and with him.

That’s how the rumors started. Ones I knew would surface if Roman became my boyfriend. He’s not; he hasn’t wanted to talk about us, and I won’t push him. After what just happened, we can wait as long as we all need before we put a label on anything.

He’s happy with us all being together as friends right now. I will take Roman anyway I can, and if I get to hold his hand all day and keep him safe, I’m more than happy for the status quo.

Roman is still worried. He’s scared we will be caught and all go to jail. I think it will take time until everything’s behind us. The school counselor set up Roman and I with therapists to talk to, but it isn’t really helping.

Having to keep the lie is exhausting. Having to lie to my dad has been the hardest thing I’ve ever done. But I can’t tell him the truth. If anyone knows what really happened, it could get out and cause even more problems for Roman, Hunter, and me.

As I reach my front door, there are red roses on the porch.

Every Saturday, without fail, I get red roses…one more each week. Today, there are five waiting for me, and I look over to Jace’s house. Why would he bother with roses, when the last time he spoke to me he just yelled and asked me why I killed Roman’s father?

The Rebels won last night’s game against the Knights. Roman and Hunter played like I’d never seen before. They were unstoppable. Jace played a good game too, and Grady seemed happier. He’d sent me a text last night saying, “thank you.” I wasn’t sure what it was for, but I’m just relieved to see him more himself.

I hold the roses to my chest as I unlock the door, feeling uneasy. Dad made me promise I would always have someone with me, and I told him Hunter would be with me, but his dad came home to talk about Roman living there full time.

Roman’s been living there since it all happened. Hunter’s mom said he can stay, but I think for Roman to stay, they needed to go through child protective services, and Hunter said his dad had to come back for that. It happened today, so I’ve been at Sadie’s house.

I needed a distraction, and having her tell me the story of the night of the homecoming dance again is the best medicine. Not only did she get her dance with Tyler, she’s been on a few dates with him, and they kissed last night at the game.

At least she doesn’t treat me differently. She hasn’t asked me about what happened, but she told me she doesn’t believe the school gossip.

Why would I stab someone in the back? I bet Britney started that. That’s her favorite move.

“Hey, Mila.”

I look up and see Makai waving over at me. I wave back with a smile. “How are you?” I ask. No one has figured out that he’s the guy Britney caught kissing Grady. I’ve seen him over visiting Grady more this week. More study sessions, I guess? So cute.

“I’m good. Do you have a secret admirer?” He looks at the roses, and I smile.

“I guess so. It’s not Hunter or Roman.” I don’t add that they both think it’s Jace. I don’t want Jace to know that we’ve have caught on. Not yet, at least. Things with him have been less…tense.

Hunter said that he’d spoken to Jace. That he’d mended some of the hurt between them. Roman didn’t tell me much, but after last night’s game, I was glad to see the smiles on their faces. Even Jace’s.

“Did you want to come hang?” Makai offers, and I shake my head and smile.

“No, I’m actually just going to grab some stuff and go over to my dad’s girlfriend’s place. They have a hot tub, and it’s calling my name.”

Since I got my cast off two weeks ago, that’s all I want to do. I just haven’t had the time to do it this week. Until now.

“Okay, see you tomorrow,” he says as he gives me a shy smile. He’s so cute. Go Grady.

I get inside my house, put the roses in some water, grab what I need for tonight, and jump back in my car.

“Hey, good looking. You want anything?” Walker calls from the kitchen as I pass on my way to the hot tub.

I pause in the doorway and see he’s dripping water from his board shorts onto the tiles. “Kate’s gonna yell at you.” I point at the puddle he’s made while standing at the refrigerator.

He gives me his cocky grin and winks. “She will be dazzled by my smile and forget all about it.”

I laugh and shake my head. He’s so full of himself, and he knows it. “You wanna bet on that? Should I call her in here now and see which one of us wins?”

As I pretend to go get Kate, his warm arms wrap around my bare waist ,and he lifts me up, spinning me around before planting my ass on the kitchen counter. He takes a step back and looks over my body. I smack him on the chest and he chuckles.

“Hot stuff, if you’re gonna be wearing that tiny red bikini, I need to check you out.” He lets out a whistle. “You sure your heart’s set on Hunter?”

With a laugh, I shove him again as he starts to show off his biceps, like that will change my mind.

“I’m very sure it’s not wanting you and your big ego.”

“One night with me, Mila.” His wily grin has me rolling my eyes. “And you will change your mind about my big ego.”

He grabs a towel and mops up the water from the floor as I hop down, fixing my bikini before making my way outside. I don’t want to be in the same room as Walker’s big…anything.

Madison’s out here with her friend Bella. They made up with each other, and I’ve met her a few times this week. I guess her spending more time here means I will see more of her. They’re sitting on some deck chairs as I wave over at them.

Madison jumps up and runs over, hugging me. “So glad you’re here. It’s weird with Walker always here.”

I hug her back. “Just ignore him. He loves it,” I tell her and she giggles. “I promise.”

I hear water splashing from the hot tub and look over to see Asher watching me. Fuck. He’s reclined back, a soda can in his hand, and he gives me a small smile and nod hello. I do the same in return. That’s been pretty much the only thing we’ve said to each other in weeks.

“Want to come in the hot tub with me?” I practically beg Madison. She shakes her head and shrinks down a little as Walker comes strolling out, food and drinks in his arms.

“He doesn’t bite,” I reassure her, but Walker must hear me.

“Only in the best ways, I promise.”

My mouth drops open. He didn’t just say that to Madison.

Asher catches it, and I hear him yelling, “that’s my sister, dick.” Walker says he’s joking. He better be, or I will go over there right now and junk-punch him.

I haven’t been around Asher like this since he admitted he wants to be more than my “friend.” Not to mention, the butterflies thing I get around him.

Which is only worse now that he hasn’t exactly spoken to me. I don’t know how to fix this. Are the butterflies just because I’m anxious around him now? Or is it because something is still there, and I don’t know how to process it? I don’t know if he’s giving me space because of what he said, or if he’s worried about what I will say. I just need a night off from everything and to have a little fun.

Hunter and Roman are meeting me here, but I don’t know how long it will take them to show up. Fuck.

“Come on, Mila, or I will bite your ass,” Walker calls from the hot tub, and I roll my eyes at Madison. Her cheeks are pink, and I nod for her to go back to Bella.

“If you bite my ass, I will punch you right in your ego,” I reply before I turn around.

Asher has Walker in a headlock. They’re splashing around a bit, and it’s the perfect distraction for me to get in and not have them watch me.

I dip my toes in the hot water and moan at the warmth. It’s so good, I want to live in here. I submerge my whole body, my head just above the water, close my eyes, and sigh as I tilt my head back.

It’s grown quiet suddenly, so I open my eyes and bring my head up to find Asher and Walker staring at me. They’re not even moving; it’s like they’re just stuck.

I frown. “Hey.” I splash a little bit of water at them.

Walker blinks. Asher shifts and looks away. And it makes the butterflies rise up. No, not tonight. Shut that shit down, stupid body. Walker sees the change in Asher and gives me that cocky grin. “Fucker,” I mutter under my breath, and his eyes light up.

“Just one night, Mila. You, me…my ego. We’ll rock your world.” Walker licks his lips and winks.

Asher’s watching him like he can’t believe Walker’s propositioning me in the hot tub with him right there.

Feeling light and free, I laugh. I know Walker’s messing with me… well, partly. I’m sure if I said yes, he would throw me over his shoulder like a caveman and run off with me to show me the big “ego” he claims to possess. But he does it to fuck with me. And I love how our friendship is so easy. Carefree.

I haven’t felt like this in weeks; everyone tiptoes around me like I’m this crazy killer girl or I’m some fragile flower. Walker acts like everything is the same, like nothing’s changed. It makes me happy.

Standing up in the water, I and twirl letting him see me again before bending down close to him. His eyes widen, and I can see the shock in them, like maybe this one time, I will take him up on his offer.

I smirk and bop his nose with my finger. “In your dreams, quarterback.” I poke my tongue out at him and return to where I’d been sitting.

He groans, and I watch his hand tug on his board shorts under the water. It makes me smile. Yep, this is normal. This is what teenagers do. Not sit around and dwell on things they can’t change. They wait for their boys to come and have fun teasing the quarterback for the rival team.

“You’re a flirt, Mila.” He pouts at me.

I chuckle. “You love it.”

And he nods and points at me.

This is our usual game, and I’m just happy that he still wants to play it with me. Asher doesn’t say anything; he just watches the exchange between us. I finally relax when they start talking about last night’s game and I can just chill out here while I wait.

“Hey, babe.”

I open my eyes and Hunter’s there, stripping down to get in. Roman’s eyes are on Asher. He doesn’t seem to like him; neither does Hunter. But the whole time I’ve been in here, Asher hasn’t spoken to me. So they have nothing to worry about.

“How’d it go?”

I’ve been a little worried about Hunter’s dad possibly saying no to Roman living there and all the paperwork and stuff involved. It would be easier for him to let Roman go to a group home. And I know Hunter’s dad isn’t a family man.

“Roman gets to stay.” Hunter smiles, it doesn’t reach his eyes but when he sees me staring he grins, just as he jumps into the hot tub with his boxers on.

I laugh as he kisses me then looks behind him to Walker, wiggling his ass at him. Walker smacks it, and they laugh. At least they’re still on good terms.

Roman hesitates outside the hot tub. I reach out and hold his hand. He gives me a small smile.

“Did you want to come in? Or I can get out, and we can go watch a movie?”

Preferably, at my house.

With the three of us.

Alone.