Half truth

Chapter Twenty-Four

Unknown number: SHES STILL OUT THERE.

Unknown number: I KNOW WHO TRIED TO KILL YOUR BROTHER.

I blinked as I read the text messages. Normally they were at least accompanied by one from my mother letting me know what Lincoln’s status was and another from either Hailey or Celia, trying to see when we could hang out. This time, it was those lone messages that greeted me first thing in the morning when I looked at my phone. I pressed my palms to my eyes and took a deep breath. What could I do? Go to the police? It was an unknown number from phones that were disco

As I brushed my teeth, I sent Hailey a text letting her know I’d be at the coffee shop in half an hour. I needed to talk to someone about this. Normally, Lincoln would be my someone, but he wasn’t here right now. Not really anyway. My chest squeezed at the thought. Two weeks were almost up. Soon he’ll be awake and able to tell us what happened. At least that was what I was hoping for. Mom wasn’t as hopeful. When she spoke to me yesterday, her voice only held grief and regret. She said the brain was a fragile thing and we weren’t sure how he’d be once he woke up. Hearing that broke my heart. I asked her who had been in the house, who had access to his room, and she called me crazy, said that he’d done this to himself, despite what I thought he said. What I thought he said. Meaning, she didn’t believe he’d shaken his head to tell me he hadn’t tried to kill himself.

By the time I left the apartment, I felt as gloomy as the sky above me. I kept my head down as I walked to the coffee shop. I was supposed to take pictures of football practice this afternoon and I had the initiation tonight. Not that anyone had bothered with telling me at what time or where that was. I also needed to go back to the rest of Lana’s notes on her computer and at some point, do actual school work. I was just so tired. So, so tired. Last night, I’d gone to bed as soon as I got home, but not even the exhaustion in my limbs helped me with the tossing and turning. I pulled open the door to the coffee shop and let out a shaky, cold, breath. Normally, it was busy in here. This morning, it seemed as though it was just me. Becca smiled at me as I approached.

“You look exhausted. How’s your brother?”

“The same.”

“I’m sorry. I’ll keep praying for him.” Her brown eyes furrowed slightly.

“Thank you. It means a lot.” I tried to smile, but as usual when discussing Lincoln, I wasn’t sure my mouth moved much.

“Do you want your usual?”

“Yes, please.” I took my wallet out to pay. “You know what? Just give me whole milk. Fuck it.”

“You only live once.” Becca laughed lightly.

“How’s school going?”

“It’s . . . okay. I’m applying to schools everywhere. I mean, everywhere except here.” Her cheeks tinted as she leaned in and whispered, “Don’t tell my sister.”

“I won’t.” I smiled, handing her the money. “Have you always wanted out?”

“God, yes.”

“Do you know what you want to do?”

“Not yet. I’m thinking maybe become a teacher. Something that helps shape kids. You know, pick up the slack for absent parents. That sort of thing.”

“Ah, so daddy issues do help after all.”

“I also have mommy issues. And all the issues.” She laughed. “I hide them well.”

“I can see that. You always look so upbeat.”

“No, I mean, I am upbeat. I just work with what I have, you know?” She lowered her voice again, looking around quickly. “Unlike my sister. She just bottles things up. She’s going to blow one of these days.”

“She seems to be doing well enough,” I said. “Is she here? I texted her and she said she would be.”

“She’ll be here soon. Uncle Deacon needed help with some things at his farm.” Her gaze flicked over my head, to where I knew the small television was. Hailey said they’d installed it there for the world soccer games during the summer and left it because it was easier than taking it down. “Did you hear the police got an anonymous call on Lana Ly?”

“What? No.” My head whipped around and zoned on the news playing. “Can you turn it up?”

She did, and we caught the tail end of the report, with the newscaster saying, “Authorities are looking into the anonymous tip and urges anyone who may have any information about the disappearance of Lana Ly to please come forward.”

“Damn,” Becca whispered. I turned to her, heart pounding. “Do you think she’s alive?”

“I don’t know,” I whispered back, pulling out my phone to see if I could find what the anonymous tip had been.

Becca moved away and started making my latte as I stood there, unable to move from my spot as I scrolled through the first page of my search. The door opened behind me and the bell over the door gave a light ring as it shut again. I turned around in time to see Hailey walking inside. She’d dyed her hair brown and looked completely different, more sophisticated, with her high cheekbones and brown eyes more visible. Just as I was telling her I loved that color on her, a man walked in behind her. Everything about him was massive, from his thick arms that stuck out of cut-off denim sleeves to his stature, which was well over six feet. He was probably closer to Travis’s height than Logan’s, but even Travis, with all his athleticism, didn’t look like this. This guy had a mean look about him. He zeroed his dark eyes on mine and smiled. It wasn’t kind.

“Pretty,” he said.

“This is my friend, Mae,” Hailey said, her voice loud and clear. “Friend.”

“Pretty friend.” Deacon gri

There was something obviously wrong with him, but I didn’t know what. My automatic assumption of him and thinking he was mean was way off though. Deacon obviously had an impediment. I took Hailey’s lead and spoke in a raised, clear voice, and hoped it sounded less like a shout and more teacher-like authority.

“Hi, Deacon.” I smiled.

He walked over to me, boots stomping loudly, stared at me for a moment longer. It was enough to get me frazzled. His clear blue eyes were zoned in on me as if trying to uncover the thoughts inside my head. I tore my gaze away and looked at Hailey, who was on her phone, then Becca, who was busy making my coffee.

“Your latte, Mae,” Becca said after a beat.

I turned and bolted in that direction, grateful for the interruption. When I looked back, Deacon was still standing in the same spot, staring at me. A shiver rolled through me as I picked up the latte, which thankfully was in a to-go cup. Normally, I got it in a ceramic mug because I sat here for hours. Today, I wanted nothing more than to get out. Deacon walked toward me, but instead of stopping, he went behind the counter. I moved away from it, toward the couch I usually sat on. Hailey walked over, gnawing her bottom lip as she approached. She looked like she had a million things on her mind today and I wasn’t sure I wanted to stick around long enough for her to tell me what they were. Not with Deacon here.

“I like your hair.” I set down my latte. “The brown looks good on you.”

“Thanks. I did it myself.” She smiled, sitting across from me. She looked over at where Deacon was. Even Becca was keeping a distance, I noticed, but it could have been my imagination.

“Is he okay?” I asked. Her attention snapped back to me.

“He had a motorcycle accident when he was seventeen. Suffered major damage to his brain, so he’s in and out. Sometimes he has completely normal conversations, sometimes he doesn’t speak for days, and other times he does this thing where he only says words here and there.”