True Colors (The Masks #1)(58)

“Do you think he figured it out?”

“How? Unless Indie let something slip.”

“I don’t think she would have. She’s not stupid.”

“So what do we do?” Libby bit the corner of her mouth, her dark eyebrows dipping.

“I don’t...I don’t know.” I looked around us, wondering if we should walk to the parking lot and scan it for Micah’s car. Maybe we were overreacting. Maybe Liam had pulled Indie away before I got there. Maybe...

“We have to find out.” Libby cleared her throat, striving for a courage we were both far from feeling. “We have to go to Indie’s place and make sure everything’s okay.”

I swallowed. Libby was right. But the scary thing was I knew, like in my gut knew, that if we did find Indie at her place, it wasn’t going to be pretty. Libby turned for the parking lot, clutching her bag strap as she tore across the grass on her short legs. I hesitated. Eric would be so pissed if I did this. I’d promised him I’d be safe.

“You coming?” Libby called, her face anxious.

Damn it! I had to go. It was my freaking idea! I had to make sure Indie was okay. Whipping out my phone, I found Eric’s number and pressed it before I lost my nerve. I rustled for my keys as I caught up with Libby, the phone pressed to my ear.

It went to voicemail. A huge part of me was relieved. “Hey, um...” I licked my lip. “I just wanted to let you know that I’m heading to Indie’s house.” Libby gave me a confused frown when I reached her, which I ignored. “She was going there with Micah to get some evidence and she’s not back. Libby and I are worried about her so we’re going to check it out. I just wanted to let you know what I was doing. I promise I’ll be safe, okay?” I sounded so nervous. He was going to see right through my message. “Okay, see ya.” I hung up with a grimace, suddenly wishing I hadn’t felt compelled to call him. I was worried about his anger and now I’d probably just worried him unnecessarily.

“Who’d you leave a message with?” Libby walked to the passenger side of my Mini, looking suspicious.

I unlocked the car and got in with a sigh. “My boyfriend.” I didn’t want to look at her while I started the car; I hadn’t told anyone about Eric and I kind of wanted to keep it that way. Besides I wasn't even sure if he was my boyfriend. Just because Nicole said it didn't make it true. We hadn't had that conversation yet.

“I don’t suppose you have a phone charger that can plug into a car do you?”

She shook her head at my frowning face. I glanced at the 5% warning before shoving the phone in my back pocket. I decided to keep it on anyway, in case Eric called back. I was annoyed that I hadn’t remembered to charge it last night. Why hadn’t I?

My cheeks flared as I reversed out of my spot, suddenly remembering why. With Eric in my bed, my brain cells were acting like Play-doh.

“You have a boyfriend? Who?” Libby buckled up as I accelerated out of the parking lot.

“It’s...he’s a college guy... my next-door neighbor.”

I shrugged, trying to not make a big deal of it. I shouldn't have called him my boyfriend. Libby’s lips quirked with a grin and she shook her head. “Are you talking about the hot surfer guy that Stella has wanted to get her talons into for like ever?”

Gripping the wheel, I kept my eyes on the road as I pursed my lips.

Libby giggled. “Well, you deserve him more than she does.” She shrugged. “I didn’t think he was that friendly though.”

I grinned. “He is when you get to know him.” I couldn’t help wiggling my eyebrows and we both burst into near hysterical laugher. It was bizarrely inappropriate considering where we were headed but also a welcome relief.

Our laughter died a short time later, replaced with an ominous silence.

Libby finally broke it when she cleared her throat. “I made an appointment with Mr. Van der Belt.” She adjusted the watch on her wrist. “I’m due in his office at four this afternoon.”

“Good.” I nodded. “Do you want me to come?”

“Um...I don’t....maybe?”

I threw a glance at her. “I’ll be there if you need me, Libby. Just say the word.”

“Thanks, Caitlyn.” Her closed mouth smile was sweet. “I’m sorry for suddenly going cold on you. Liam was pretty clear about me not being your friend.”

“I get it.” I forced a smile, hoping she realized that I did. We had bigger things to worry about, and I think it hit Libby the second we turned into Indie’s street. Her gulp was audible.

The houses along Malibu Road were huge, all situated behind looming gates. We drove past Indie’s house. The gates were open and when Libby craned her neck, she thought she spotted Micah’s car.

“Did you see Liam’s?”

“No.”

I turned at the end of the street and kept cruising past Indie’s house.

“What are you doing? Aren’t we going to check on them?”

“Yeah.” I bit my bottom lip. “But I think we should park down the street...just in case Liam does arrive or something. Look, I don’t know, I just think it’d be better if my car wasn’t on the road as a warning sign or something. I think most people know my Mini.”