Sweet Liar (Candy #2)(27)

“Okay. Thanks.”

Looking back out the window, I spotted a flock of tiny brown sparrows that fluttered down to land on the telephone wires that stretched along the road. There were so many of them braving the frigid winter air.

As I watched them, I wondered if I could fly away somewhere and leave all this behind. I could do it, actually. My father said I could sell the house. Then I could take the money and go wherever I wanted.

It was interesting to think about, but I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t walk away from my father or Theo.

Soon enough the sparrows were behind us and the brick school building was in front of us, where the janitors were busy shoveling the walkways.

“It feels like I haven’t been to school in ages,” I said.

“We’ve only missed one day. That’s not so long. I was out too. We should probably think of an excuse for why we were both gone at the same time.”

“I doubt anyone noticed.”

He laughed. “This is high school. Math and English may get past them, but gossip doesn’t. They’ve probably got us off eloping somewhere.”

I smiled, shaking my head at him. “That would be interesting, but since we’re not together, I don’t think so.”

“They don’t know that.”

“Actually, they do. At least Lea does, and probably Parker and Ashley too. I told Lea it wasn’t working out because we didn’t have any chemistry together.”

He laughed low in his throat. “Now who’s lying.”

My cheeks grew warm. It was a monumental lie, but I refused to look at him. “Anyway, it’s better this way. The more people who know we’re not together, the better.”

Jonah pulled into the school parking lot and chose the closest free spot near the main doors. “Why is that?”

“Because I’m supposed to be getting close to Drew, and he hates you. You’re a liability to me.”

“A liability?” He turned to face me. “I haven’t told my father your decision yet. You could still change your mind.”

“I’m not changing my mind.”

Jonah sighed. “We should talk about this more before we go inside.”

I didn’t like the look he was giving me. “I thought we already did. I’m supposed to take Drew up on the offer to have dinner with his family.”

“We both know Drew wants more than a dinner from you.”

I shrugged. “That doesn’t mean he’s going to get it.”

“I would hope not.”

My eyes narrowed. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

He got that conflicted look again, like he wanted to say something but was stopping himself. “Nothing. Let’s just go in.” Then he turned and opened his door.

Did he think I would use Drew the same way he used me? Was that what he stopped himself from saying? My fingers tightened around the strap of my messenger bag. I jumped down from the Jeep and slammed the door closed harder than necessary.

If Jonah noticed, he didn’t react as he walked silently beside me toward the main doors of the school. “So we’re over. That’s our story?” he asked.

I nodded.

“But we need to stay friends because I have to be able to talk to you in school.”

“Fine.”

“We’re friends because you’re not offended by the fact that I find you completely unappealing.”

I gave him a wry look. “I said we had no chemistry. I was being nice. That’s a no-fault breakup.”

“Right. It’s not your fault I’m in no way attracted to you.”

Fighting the smile that wanted to form, I rolled my eyes instead and kept walking.

“As for our absence, I went on another trip with my father and you were out sick. Sound reasonable?”

“Sure. I went on a trip with your father and you were out sick.”

“Funny,” he said as I pulled the door open.

I sped up ahead of him without saying good-bye. I was only a few feet away from my locker when I noticed Lea leaning against it. She was staring down at her feet, looking uncharacteristically melancholy.

“What’s up?” I asked, startling her when I appeared beside her.

She put her hand on her hip. “Where have you been?”

“I was sick.”

“Again?”

“Yeah, again. Is everything okay?”

She dropped her book bag to the floor. “No, actually. It’s not. If you’d respond to one of my texts, you’d know that.”

“Sorry.” I turned the combination on my locker, knowing that a good friend would listen and be compassionate right now. But I had so much on my mind, her drama would have to be really good to hold my attention.

“Ethan is dating Mia now,” she stated.

Nope, not that good. “Who’s Mia?”

Her eyes widened. “She’s our class president. How do you not know that? And she’s not his typical bimbo. She’s actually smart. She’s a real person.”

Trying hard not to laugh, I closed my locker and looked at her. “He hooks up with a lot of girls. You know that, and I’m pretty sure they’re all real.”

Lea rolled her eyes. “But Mia isn’t a slut or anything. What if he really likes her?”