Page 124 of Brutal Little Secrets

We’ve texted this morning. She’s feeling fine and understands her parents wanting to keep her home, but she’s like me: the play comes first. Anger and guilt war within me, but Olivia will get what’s coming to her.

I finished editing the tape of Olivia this morning and sent the final version to Cam. He has someone who can send it anonymously and make sure everything identifying is scrubbed off the file.

A few extras come in, and they glance at me before talking behind their hands. I ignore them as I put together the scene order for today. My mom’s sudden need to be involved was unexpected, and I didn’t get as much done this morning as I should have.

I probably shouldn’t have lazed the morning away in bed with the Devil’s trio, either, though. I shake my head and focus. The noise levels rise as more of the cast shows up. I glance at my phone and stand.

“Five minutes, people.” I take in the crowd, figuring out who’s here and who’s not. There are some actors who are late every practice. I’ll need to talk to Mr. Watson about those students.

Some of the actors watch me with interest, which is not normal, but maybe they’re wondering where Keira is. Or maybe they wonder why the hell I’m still willing to be with Chase. Or maybe they saw me talking with Hawk last night and then us disappearing.

Whatever has them talking, I ignore it, but I notice Chase isn’t here. Which is unusual. He’s usually one of the first to arrive. Fuck, if his parents are out of town, it’s possible he might still be at the police station if his party got busted.

“What’s wrong?” Hawk asks.

I lift my gaze from my phone. “Chase isn’t here yet. He’s never cut it this close before.”

“Maybe he’s skipping because of last night.”

I shake my head. “I have to report all absences to Mr. Watson, and they have to be excused or points will be docked from his final grade. He wouldn’t risk it.”

“Give me a minute.” Hawk takes out his cell phone and walks into the hallway.

I text Chase.

Me:

Practice is about to start.

Are you okay?

I set my phone down. We’ll have to go on without him. “Jason?”

He glances my way, and I gesture him over. “Can you play Iago until Chase gets here?”

Jason looks around like he’s surprised Chase isn’t here. “Of course.”

I hand him the script in case he doesn’t have his copy. Hawk comes back in and squats next to my chair. I lean down to listen to what he has to say.

“The party got busted. Chase didn’t get taken in though. Apparently his dad is friends with whatever cop came. So most people didn’t get taken in, but they were sent home. Chase claimed the party got out of control and more people showed up than should have.”

“So why isn’t he here then?” I ask.

“I don’t know.” Hawk straightens.

I glance at my phone and know I can’t wait any longer to start. I nod and stand. “All right. We’re doing a full run-through today. Scripts in hand, but please try not to use them. Act one, scene one. Places.”

The actors get into their spots, and I lean against the table. The people who aren’t in the scene file into the chairs behind me to watch.

There’s always some whispering in the stands, especially as we go through the same scene twice. But I keep picking up words likeDevil’s trio,Chase,Olivia, and evenKeira.I want to tell them to shut up and speak up at the same time.

I burn inside, wondering what they know. Letting Olivia leave unscathed wasn’t the smartest thing to do. And slapping her was stupid on my part, especially since it gave her all the ammunition she needs to bury me.

Or did I trust my info with the wrong person? Mia smiles at me since she’s not in the scene. She knows about me and the Devil’s trio. Is she as cool about it as she’s acting?

“Whore!” Chase’s voice captures everyone’s attention.

I stand. My skin crawls. I must have misheard him.