Lie for Me by Romily Bernard Page A

until she stiffens.
    â€œGriff,” Wick says, clearing her throat. “I need your help.”

14
    I can’t believe what I’m hearing. Wick’s telling me how Tessa Waye was raped and that’s why she jumped, how Wick has Tessa’s diary and that Tessa’s little sister gave it to her.
    How Wick wants to fix this and doesn’t know how, but maybe I could help her and maybe we could make it right.
    I stare, focusing on Wick—hell, focusing on me . I’m trying to keep my mouth from hanging wide open. Wick’s not just looking for absolution. She’s looking for help. Holy shit.
    I stare at Wick and she stares at me. Her chin lifts. “Aren’t you going to say anything?”
    That you’re crazy? That you’re playing with fire? And for what ? I can’t say any of that, and she squeezes her eyes shut against my silence.
    â€œWhy do you care?” I ask suddenly. I don’t get it. Why would Wick give a damn about that girl? “Tessa Waye didn’t know you existed.”
    â€œWe were friends . . . once.”
    Evasive. She sounds just like my mom and her friends. “There’s more to this. What aren’t you telling me?”
    Wick’s mouth works, but no sound emerges. My chest shrinks. Withholding. I don’t need it.
    I shake my head. “Yeah, I don’t do the work if I don’t know the deal.”
    â€œIt’s Lily,” she blurts, and for a second, I think her legs are going to collapse. “Lily’s his next target. I need help getting to the guy.”
    â€œWait. Are you the one who posted on Tessa’s Facebook page? Who said the thing about knowing who killed her?”
    She nods and I gape, feeling like my world’s just tilted sideways. “Wicked . . . if this is true . . . you’re taunting a fucking psychopath.”
    â€œI—” The first bell rings, startling both of us.
    â€œWe can’t do this here.” I rub one hand through my hair, watching Wick. “We need to get going.”
    She lifts her chin again. The gesture’s starting to feel familiar. She does it when she’s scared.
    â€œWell?” Wick asks.
    â€œGriff? Wick?” Our teacher, Mrs. Harding, appears to my left, Shane Hallowell right behind her. No doubt they’re both on their way to World History. Wick and I should be too.
    â€œHey, Wick. Hey, Griff.” Shane waves, looking pitiful. Actually, Shane always looks pitiful. I think it’s a permanent setting.
    â€œI’ve been looking for you, Griff,” Mrs. Harding says. She’s close enough to get a good whiff of Wick, and her eyes start to water. “You need to come with me. They’ve asked to see you in the front office.”
    The front office? I freeze. Did something happen to my mom? I can feel Wick’s eyes on me, but I don’t trust myself to look at her. I’m still processing. Bottom line . . . I have to work with Carson. Everything she just told me? It’s exactly what he wants. I have to give it to him.
    I shake myself. “Sure, Mrs. Harding.”
    Our teacher nods, turning her attention to Wick. “You’re going to be late, Wicket.”
    â€œRight. On my way.” Only she isn’t. Wick’s pasted to the spot, staring at me, waiting. This is where I need to reassure her and I . . . can’t.
    I walk off, making it to the front office just as a dark-haired woman’s pushing through the double doors, heading toward the parking lot. My heart double-thumps.
    â€œMo—” It’s not. I slow down, stop.
    â€œHello, Griff.” Carson’s voice is syrupy again. All the hairs on my arms stand straight. “Sorry to pull you out of school like this.”
    No, you’re not . I turn. “Is something wrong?”
    The detective’s slumped against the wall, legs crossed at the ankles. “Could be. Your mom had a bit of an