People Like Us(13)

After my epic blowup with Tai, I decide to sit alone and avoid further drama. Tai can have custody of our friends tonight. I don’t have the energy for another battle. The round oak tables of the dining hall seat six and most of them are filled to capacity. I take a stack of five empty plates and spread them around the table to put people on notice that I’m not looking for company. A few soccer teammates offer sympathetic waves as they pass, and I get a couple of hushed “I’m so sorries” from random juniors and sophomores who probably assume I’m in mourning or something. For the most part, though, I’m left in peace. But after a few minutes, a pair of arms wind around my waist and I feel Brie’s cheek against mine.

“How are you, lovey?”

The evil feelings dissolve. I smile up at her. “Terrible. Did Justine leave?”

She settles down across from me. “Rehearsal. Life goes on at Easterly. So I hear you attacked Tai in the courtyard.”

I sigh into my hand. “Sure. I attacked Tai in the courtyard. With a candlestick.”

She leans forward, her eyes practically glowing. The only thing Brie loves more than dark chocolate with caramel and sea salt is gossip. “Kay.” She draws my name out seductively and my eyes focus on her lips.

“Tai’s doping,” I blurt out.

She drums her fingers on the table and chews on her lower lip. “Are you sure?”

“Beyond a doubt.”

“I’m not calling you a liar . . . I just . . . it doesn’t sound like Tai.” She doesn’t believe me. I don’t blame her. I didn’t believe it either.

“That doesn’t mean she didn’t do it.”

“Let’s play lawyer,” she suggests brightly. This is one of Brie’s favorite games. She gets to show off how clever she is and make it seem like fun. In her opinion, truth and justice naturally prevail. And generally, she wins.

“Fine.”

“You prosecute and I’ll defend.”

“Okay . . .” This is going to be tough. I can’t tell Brie about the revenge blog, and I don’t have any other physical evidence. “Tai Carter is one of the most talented tennis players Bates Academy has ever seen. She outmatches every other player she’s gone against. There’s no doubt she has unbelievable natural talent. But she supplements it. I don’t have physical evidence, though I’m pretty sure we can obtain it. The fact is, Tai has admitted to using meldonium, the very performance-enhancing drug that got Maria Sharapova a two-year suspension. And a confession is the most damning evidence of all.”

Brie’s mouth drops open. “The defense rests. But how did you know?”

“Anonymous email.”

“That’s creepy. Obviously the most likely sender is someone else on the tennis team. I wonder why they sent it to you, though. Why wouldn’t they just turn her in?”

“They want me to turn her in. If I don’t, they will.”

“What are you going to do?”

I shrug. “I told her she should turn herself in. They’re more likely to be lenient on her. That was the full extent of my so-called attack. She flipped out on me.”

Brie glances over at “our” table. The rest of our friends are huddled together whispering. Tricia shoots me a reproachful look. “This isn’t going to end well.”

I want to tell Brie about the revenge blog so badly. This is just the beginning. But I can’t risk involving her. I decide to throw wide.

“Did you know Tai knew Jessica?”

Brie raises a shoulder and rests her chin on her hand. “She said she didn’t.”

“She stole her hard drive and made her turn in a paper late.”

“So what? You think Jessica’s behind this? When did you get this email?”

“I didn’t open it until today.”

“And it was anonymous.” She shudders. “That timing is unfortunate. Does Tai know?”

“If Jessica ever threatened her, Tai didn’t think it went beyond the two of them. She was completely caught off guard when I mentioned it. And she seemed surprised that I thought there was anything wrong with it. Although I guess I led her down that road.”

“Keep all that between us.” Brie rubs her forehead wearily. “Tai’s as good as gone,” she says in a soft voice. “I don’t think there’s any way around it. You’re right, though—it might be better if she’s the one to turn herself in. Maybe if I talk to her.” She turns back to me suddenly. “You didn’t tell anyone else?”

“Of course I didn’t.” Tai would flip if she found out Nola knew. Not that she’s ever going to forgive me anyway.

“Because Tricia and Cori will hound you. And especially Maddy.” She makes just the ghost of a face.

“Why don’t you like Maddy?”

She raises her eyebrows. “Don’t put words in my mouth.” She looks over my head and waves at a table of debate club members. They are the only people on campus who wear suits when out of uniform. It gives me a headache to look at them.

I hesitate. “Is it just me or does it feel a little like everyone is slightly anti-Maddy lately?”

She flicks her eyes back to me. “Anti?”

“It doesn’t seem like she appreciates her new nickname.”