We hugged goodbye and I slipped out of the car. I suspected she wouldn’t forgive me if I didn’t tell her every little detail about my date. I would soon have more lies to keep track of.
Inside, Linda had prepared a tray with three different kinds of sandwiches. I told her about school, editing out my search for info and my talk with Mr. Yates. She listened to me, her eyes practically glued to my lips, that loving look on her face like I could do no wrong. What would she say if she found out about Madison’s affair with her teacher?
“I told Ana I’d meet up with her again at five,” I said between bites.
Linda wiped her mouth with a napkin. “Where did you girls want to go?”
“Just to the mall in Manlow.”
Linda dropped her sandwich. It fell apart, sending lettuce, bacon, and tomatoes sliding onto the table. Her hands shook as she picked them up. “Don’t you think it’s too dangerous to drive to Manlow all alone? Wouldn’t it be better to stay in Livingston? You could invite Ana here and order a pizza.”
“Ana will be with me the whole time, and the mall is full of people. I really want to go out. I can’t hide inside forever.”
She picked up the phone. “I’ll call Devon. He can join you.”
That was the last thing I needed.
“Mom, don’t. He has practice. Don’t make him come home because of me.”
“He doesn’t mind. He’s as worried about you as I am.” She started dialing but I pried the phone from her hands.
“Please. I don’t need a babysitter. It’s bad enough that Devon keeps an eye on me at school. Ana and I will be at a crowded public place. There’ll be security cameras and people. Nothing is going to happen.” I touched her hand. “Please.”
She looked away, her lips trembling. I felt horrible for doing this to her. I already felt a stronger connection to Linda than I ever had to my mom, which was such a messed up thing.
“Take your cell phone and the pepper spray with you. Stay in the mall and don’t let Ana out of your sight. I want you two to stick together. And promise me to call me as soon as you get there and again when you leave.”
I kissed her cheek. “I will.”
At four forty-five I made my way downstairs, trying not to feel guilty at the sight of Linda’s worried face. “Don’t forget to call.” She hugged me goodbye and waited outside until I’d turned the corner. Ana lived well within walking distance, so I didn’t have to come up with an excuse for why I didn’t want Linda to drive me.
Alec waited for me behind the steering wheel of a black Jeep. I gave a quick glance around before I got in to make sure nobody was watching.
“I told Ana that I was going on a date with you,” I blurted the moment I got inside.
“Why?” He didn’t act as surprised as I thought he would.
“She wanted to know what was going on with me. Apparently, she was sick of Madison lying to her, so I had to come up with something. She’s also my alibi for leaving the house, so this seemed like the easiest explanation. I don’t think she’ll ask, but if she does, just tell her we cruised around in your car.”
“Wow, what an exciting date,” he muttered with a smirk. “Can I at least add some backseat action?”
I knew he was trying to be sarcastic, but with everything that had been going on between us lately, the laughter died in my throat. Our eyes locked and maybe it was my imagination but I saw longing in them. “I’m not the one who’s kept her distance.” And I definitely wouldn’t stop Alec if he wanted to get cozy on the backseat.
Kate.
He looked away, jaw locked, and started the car. I was glad when the sound of the engine cut through the thick silence.
Alec parked a couple blocks away from Mr. Yates’s house, so there was no chance that he’d spot us together.
“Be careful. And don’t let him feel you up,” he said with his usual professionalism.
“Thanks for the advice. Maybe I want him to feel me up, after all I’m not getting much action otherwise.” My sarcasm made him scowl but before he could reply, I got out of the car and jogged toward the house, surprised by my own courage. In the past I’d rarely voiced my displeasure around Alec. I wanted to please him, but this mission had shifted my view on things. Though I didn’t look over my shoulder, I knew Alec was following close behind.
The lawn in Yates’s front yard was neat and freshly cut; there wasn’t a single blade of grass that stood taller than an inch. The mailbox and the shingles framing all of the windows glowed white like they’d been painted hours ago, and not a speck of dirt could be seen on the light beige clapboard. From the looks of it, I wouldn’t have guessed that it was the home of a single man.