Page 3 of All Your Lies

“Has he ever?” I say with a defeated huff.

“No.” She sighs. “I just thought...now that Gage is gone, he’d step up. For you and for me.”

A tear leaks out of my eye and I don’t even bother brushing it away. It’s not like anyone will see me shed a few tears for Gage in the dark, deserted parking lot. I let it fall from my cheek with a few more in tow before hopping into my car and driving out of the school.

“Marco is going through a lot,” I say, defending him for the millionth time. Maybe if I continue to say it, I’ll start to believe it myself.

Marco has never been very thoughtful or even sweet toward me, but he’s going to be my husband. We have to make it work. Mom says sometimes it takes men longer to pull their head out of their ass. He must be one of those guys.

I stop at a light and squint into my rearview mirror against the headlights of the truck behind me. The jerk must not realize their brights are on. It’s as if someone is pointing a floodlight into the back of my car.

“Are you there?” Rosie asks as I continue to gaze at the idiot behind me.

“Yeah, I’ll be over soon. Are you still down for a movie marathon? I can get Thai,” I say, knowing it’s her favorite.

“I’m so down. My father brought Manuel over again. I hope Mama can talk him out of this stupid arranged marriage. I can’t do it, Lex. I’ll die before letting it happen.”

Alarm bells ring in my ears as I hear the desperation in her voice. “Hey, don’t say that. It’ll be okay. We’ll figure something out, I promise.”

“Okay,” Rosie whispers.

“I’ll see you soon, and we’ll brainstorm over food.”

“Deal. See you soon.”

The light turns green as soon as I hang up. The asshole behind me blares his horn as if I’ve let the light stay green for more than a mere two seconds.

“Okay, geez.” I step on the gas and floor it through the intersection, then make the first right, leaving the black truck in my dust.

I grab my phone and look up The Thai House. Hopefully they haven’t closed yet. It’s kind of late, but from the way Rosie sounded on the phone, she needs her favorite comfort food.

I couldn’t imagine being betrothed to Manuel. He’s a real psychopath and would never treat her the way she deserves. I guess I should count my lucky stars that Marco isn’t that bad.

My finger hovers over The Thai House call button when I’m thrust into my steering wheel with a bang, sending my phone flying and a pain in my chest from hitting the steering wheel. I glare into my rearview mirror at the truck from before.

Did it just hit me?

My eyes widen, and I gasp when its headlights come too close to my car and ram it again.

“A-Alexa,” I gasp as I yell at my phone. It’s never been so hard to say my own name.

“Alexa,” I repeat. “Call Dad!”

The seconds for my phone to understand my words are excruciating. “Calling... Dad,” the phone app assistant says.

“Alexandria,” Dad says over my car speaker.

“Dad,” I whimper like it’s a prayer.

“Alexandria?”

“Someone’s following me. They—they…”

“Focus, Alexandria,” he says in a stern voice. “Where are you?”

“I-I don’t know,” I say frantically as I continue to drive down dark roads far too fast.

“Check her location,” Dad yells to someone.