Every Little Piece - By Kate Ashton Page 0,20

don’t know. I’m guessing.”

“That doesn’t prove anything.”

“Are you sure you want to know?” She touched my arm. “I can stop here and you can think that I’m lying. I won’t blame you.”

“No, go on.” My voice was hoarse.

“When I went back to the office that night, I found them in the copy room.” She shuddered.

The words hung in the air between us. So much hurt, so much blame. One action with ripple effects across so many lives. I didn’t need to ask any more questions. She’d been too honest. I’d always been good at knowing when someone was bullshitting or not. I knew there was more to the story earlier when Dad said he was leaving. Now I knew. It wasn’t Dad cheating. It was Mom. Rage built. They were all to blame. Each one played their role.

“Now,” Carly stated. “Hand them over.”

I grinned at her. “Whatcha talking about?”

“Seth.” Her voice grew stern. “Hand over the keys.”

I pulled them out of my pocket and dangled them in front of her. “You mean these?”

She grabbed at them, and I pulled them away at the last second. She tried again and again. When she stopped, she was breathing heavier, her cheeks flushed, and fear wavered in her eyes.

I patted her cheek. “You’re so sweet. I meant what I said earlier. You’re a beautiful person who’s gotten a raw deal in life. You go back up those stairs and stop letting your dad control who you are. Be who you want to be. The Carly I saw tonight.”

“Please,” she whispered, “don’t drive. You’re drunk.”

“I’m okay. I’m barely feeling it anymore. The fresh air and the raw truth works wonders.”

She tried for the keys again. I stepped out of the way and laughed. “But thanks anyway.” With one last shove, I pushed her toward the party. She stumbled and skidded across the gravel. I felt bad for a second, then sprinted toward my car. I was fine to drive. I’d had a few drinks, but the truth sobered me up pretty quick. I needed to be alone. I’d come back in a little bit and they’d see. I wasn’t drunk.

The loud music grated on my nerves when I re-entered the party with Kama. A group huddled around the radio, singing at the top of their voices, all off-key. Couples slobbered all over each other on the couches, chairs, and in the corners. A game of quarters seemed popular at the kitchen table. Coins were rolling all over the floor, but I didn’t see Seth. He never came back.

“Hey!” Brin pulled me to the side. “What happened?”

“What do you mean?”

She twisted her hands, and her eyes were shifty. A sure sign she was holding something back.

“What?”

She shrugged. “What what?”

I grabbed her arm. “What’re you holding back? Come on. We tell each other everything.”

“Well, you see, Seth left.” She smiled but it still wasn’t real. More like she was hoping I’d buy her expanded version.

I crossed my arms and tapped my foot. I wasn’t that stupid.

She mumbled and played with the sleeves of her shirt.

“Say it again. Without mumbling,” I demanded. The room raged around me, but the noise faded, and I focused on Brin. “Please.”

“Fine. Seth left with Carly.”

Shock reeled my system and stunned me into silence. Carly had been gunning for Seth since forever. Even though I glared at her whenever possible and made it obvious Seth was mine. Even though Brin and Kama had told her more than once that he was taken. Even though the entire school knew we’d been together for years. She’d probably been waiting the whole year, watching for a weakness in our relationship. She’d found one. Tonight. And swooped in for the kill.

I forgot about being angry with Seth, and rage burned up inside that she’d leave with him.

“I don’t think it’s like that,” Brin said. “Jamie tried to stop him or leave with him but he refused.”

“Oh, I know exactly what it’s like.” My words left a bitter sting in the air. “She waited until my boyfriend was drunk and then took advantage of the situation. She’ll probably have him drive out to Raker’s point and seduce him.” I didn’t share the fact that our current fight was about sex, or the lack of sex. But then I realized that part didn’t matter all.

Brin and I came to the same conclusion. “He’s drunk,” we said together.

“Did Carly drive?” I asked. I scanned the party hoping that Brin was mistaken and they were really making out in a