Sweet Fall (Sweet Home #2)(28)

Without speaking, I moved off the floor to check the coast was clear outside. Scouring the grounds through the curtains, all was quiet. Looking at the clock above the open fireplace, it read ten a.m. Campus PD’d be gone for at least an hour. They changed shifts at nine thirty, and patrolling didn’t recommence until way after eleven. Freshman year I learned pretty damn quick to study their schedules—old habits die hard.

I felt Lexi before I saw her, and when I turned around, I knew she’d be right behind me. Our eyes met, and I nearly laughed. All her black makeup was smudged down her face, but her eyes were once again bright with curiosity.

“We free to leave yet?” she asked nervously.

“We’re good,” I replied, but neither of us moved from our place by the window, like we didn’t wanna go back to whatever was waiting for us outside that door. Our f*cked-up realities on the other side of that thin piece of wood.

But we had to face it, didn’t we? We couldn’t stay in the quiet solace of the summerhouse forever. Life moved on, and our issues were here to stay.

“Lexi?” She lifted her head, indicating for me to continue speaking. “You need to stay away from me.”

Lexi’s face paled and she paused in her breathing. “Okay. If that’s what you want.” She went to turn away, and I held her shoulder before ripping my hand back to my side. She hadn’t wanted me to touch her. I’d forgotten about this fact.

“My brother’s asking questions about you. It isn’t safe if we talk, if we’re even around each other. If you see me around campus, walk by without a word, and I’ll do the same. The Heighters are suspecting you’ve talked about them to the dean—”

“I haven’t! I swear! I didn’t say a thing—” She interrupted, freaking right out, and I stopped her protest with a hand lifted in the air.

“I know. I told them that. But you need to be careful. My brother ain’t the one who’ll come after you to keep you quiet, and you don’t wanna meet the sadistic motherf*cker who will.” I watched her swallow hard and knew my warning had hit home. “Stay low key, keep the hell outta the quad at night, and if you’re asked any more questions by the dean about the coke, keep your mouth shut. No one knows you know anything but me and Axel. I’ll make sure it stays that way.”

Lexi nodded apprehensively and, moving to the coffee table, picked up her purse. I watched her go, her tight top and short black tutu skirt showcasing her slender limbs.

Christ! I couldn’t like this chick. She was too much of a liability.

Just as Lexi reached the door, a question came to mind. For some reason I just needed to know the answer to it.

“Hey, Lexi?”

She turned to face me. “Yeah?”

“Why the war paint?” I gestured to her made-up face.

Adopting a stony expression, she simply replied, “Why the tattoos?” She pointed back at my inked arms and neck.

We both said nothing and stared at one another for what could have been an eternity. I could see in her eyes that the dark makeup was her shield. Just like my tattoos were mine, but neither of us were gonna admit to it.

Lexi sighed and laid her hand on her chest over her heart. “We all have secrets, Austin. Some people’s are bigger than others, that’s all. Wouldn’t you agree?”

My lack of response said it all.

Yeah. Yeah, I f*ckin’ would.





Chapter Ten

Lexi


One month later…





Dear Daisy,

Weight: 96lbs



Calories: 1500



I saw myself on TV today, cheering for the Tide.

I couldn’t believe it was me.

When I look in the mirror, I see the flaws in the girl looking back. But seeing myself on screen had me almost recoiling in disgust. I looked so big, Daisy, too big. And I can’t get the image out of my mind.

I need to be more toned.

I need to just cut back on food… just for a while… just so I look good on the field. I’ve lost a couple of pounds, but it’s still not enough.

I counted my ribs today. I could only count six. It’s all I can focus on. I can’t purge it from my mind.

Six. Six. Six.

And worse, Ally hugged me today, and I swear she thought I felt fat. It’s like I can’t bear people touching me anymore. The hugs will have to stop or I’m going to lose my mind. No one can touch me until I’ve lost more weight.

I’m still successfully playing my role of the fun-loving friend. None of my friends are suspicious. My secret’s still safe.

Just a few pounds, Daisy, and then everything will be all right.





“And do you think of Daisy much?”

I squeezed my eyes shut and tried to block out the pain of my best friend’s death.

“Lexi. Answer the question,” Dr. Lund pushed.

Nodding my head, I replied, “Yes. I think of her all the time.”

“And what do you think of?” I could hear Dr. Lund scribbling on his clipboard, making notes on what I had to say.

“I think of how she would always smile despite the fact that she was dying inside. I think of how whenever I was down, she was there for me to talk to… to pick me back up.” Tears welled in my eyes and I said, “And I think about her final minutes as she held my hand and quietly slipped away, but not before begging me to not succumb to the disorder too. To not… die too.”