Saint Sloan (Saint Sloan #1)(57)

“Okay, yeah. That makes sense.” It did freak her out, though, that all this time she’d been going to school and driving while taking pills that she had no idea what they were. “I felt like I did when I took the two pain pills from Darcy,” she said, putting the pieces together.

“The ones I caught you with at my house?”

“Yeah. She offered to give me two, and I took them. Not at the same time, of course. I knew they were strong, but I didn’t think they were that strong.”

Aaron bit his lip. “So we know how you got the pills and why you were acting so weird. That’s good. I feel better.”

Yay, she was glad he did. She didn’t. Someone had been in her house, in her bathroom, and now in her body, putting who knows what in her bloodstream. It made her sick. “I’m glad I’m not going to school today. I couldn’t take seeing Darcy.”

“I’ll text Ray and have him do some stealthy questioning. He’s good at that.” Aaron pulled his cell from his pocket.

“Really? Ray’s stealthy?”

“No.” Aaron smiled. “But he’s all we have right now.”

While Aaron texted Ray, she texted Mackenzie to tell her not to worry, that she didn’t feel well, and she’d see her tomorrow at prom. It was a bittersweet text because she knew something horrible would probably happen to her at prom. But, whoever it was could break into her house, so she was just as safe in a room full of people as she was locked in her house.

“Breakfast?” she asked him when she got finished texting Mackenzie.

“Starving.” He took her hand and led her downstairs.

To her surprise, her mom sat at the kitchen island. “You don’t think I’d leave you to deal with this alone, did you?”

“No.” Sloan forced a smile. But she sort of wished she had. She wouldn’t have to lie if these people would just leave her alone. “Didn’t expect you to stay home, though. Two days in a row.”

“I called in. Took vacation for the rest of the week. Tomorrow’s prom and I don’t want to miss a minute of getting you ready. And pictures. Lots of pictures.”

“You hear that.” Aaron grinned and put his arm around Sloan’s shoulders. “Lots of pictures.”

Terrific.

“And you, Mr. Hunter.” Her mom leaned her hip on the stool next to her. “Didn’t sleep on the couch last night.”

“I fell asleep. In Sloan’s room.” His face actually blushed. It was cute. He needed to be embarrassed more often.

“Uh-huh. Just don’t do anything you’ll regret.”

“Mama.” Sloan groaned and hung her head. Why did everything have to lead to that?

“Just sayin’.” She winked and put her coffee cup in the sink. “So, get something to eat and come in the living room for a movie marathon.”

She didn’t wait for a yay or nay before shaking her little legs into the living room.

“I’m sorry.” Sloan grimaced, facing Aaron.

“No, I like it,” he said. “Your mom went from totally hating me to letting me spend the night. I’d say that’s progress.”

She hadn’t thought about it like that. Her mom hating Aaron seemed so long ago. She couldn’t see how anyone could not like him now.

They fixed two bowls of cereal and camped out on the couch. For the next several hours, they watched movies together. Mostly comedy. One sort-of-sappy drama that caused Sloan to have to hide tears. One old-time travel movie from the 80s: Parts One, Two, and Three. Thankfully, no horror movies. She was already living in one of those.

Sloan spent the day cuddled next to Aaron and texting Mackenzie occasionally. She even got a text from Ray asking if she was okay. She told him she was. He told her he was looking forward to prom tomorrow night. She wished she was. It wouldn’t be so bad if she wasn’t going to fall. Falling sounded painful.

But she felt bad for Ray, so she texted back that she was excited to go with him too. Even after she’d pressed send, she looked over at Aaron, who threw some popcorn in his mouth. She’d much rather go to the prom with Aaron. Stupid school rules. She hoped it wouldn’t be too awkward to be with Ray all night. If only this hadn’t all happened the week before prom. The timing really stunk.

After school, Mackenzie called and asked if they needed her to come over. Apparently, since Sloan wasn’t there, she’d eaten lunch with Travis’ cousin, Sarah. According to Mackenzie, the girl was nice, kinda shy, and mortified by the role Travis had played in helping Boyd hurt Sloan. She said Sarah was going to tell Travis Mackenzie had asked about him the next time she saw him, which could be a while. She wasn’t exactly sure where he was at the moment.

Sloan took out a pad and pen to jot down all of the things running around her mind. First, everyone’s location.

Sloan: home with Aaron and Mom.

Mackenzie: going to her house after supper with her parents.

Boyd: stuck at home.

Boyd’s mom: with him.

Boyd’s father, Mr. Lawrence: business trip somewhere.

Sloan wasn’t sure she believed that now. Not that she thought Mr. Lawrence would hurt her, but she didn’t see him running off on some business trip and leaving his family. Plus, what sort of business trip was it? He’d quit teaching to take care of Boyd.