Page 8

CHAPTER EIGHT

I waited until five minutes after eight, and then I called Shai’s mom. “Hey, Ruby,” I said when she picked up. I’d texted her earlier to see if she could talk.

“Hi, Felicia, is something wrong? Your text kinda freaked me out.”

I laughed nervously. I didn’t want to be doing this. It was silly. It didn’t seem nearly as serious in the light of day. Lots of drama happened at teenage parties, right? Just because Shai and Hunter got into a fight on the same night as the girl’s attack didn’t mean those two things were connected. That’s what I’d kept telling myself. “Actually, I’ve been meaning to call you for a couple weeks. You’ve been on my to-do list! But I’ve had a huge trial, so I’ve been working eighteen-hour days.”

“Oh gosh, I don’t know how you do it,” she said. “What’s up?”

“Do you remember the night of the Worthington football game?”

“The Worthington football game?” She considers it. “You mean, did I go?”

“No, just, do you remember that night? The boys went to a party after the football game, and planned to stay the night over at your house? They had the trip to Stout in the morning.” I tried to prompt her memory, hoping she could provide me with some clues to put my mind to rest. I had to find some peace. Some kind of resolution. I couldn’t keep living like this.

“The one where they all wore their pajamas?”

“No, I think that was the following week.”

She laughed. “Jeez. These kids have quite the social life, huh?”

“They’re definitely living their best lives, that’s for sure.” I laughed in return. “The reason I was asking about it is because Hunter was supposed to stay over with you, and I guess him and Shai got into some kind of a fight that night. I ended up coming to pick him up at, like, two in the morning. He looked pretty rough, and he said he wanted to come home because they’d gotten into a fight.”

“They’re fighting?” she asked in disbelief. “Hunter just stayed here last weekend.”

I laughed again. “I know. I guess it’s a guy thing, right? Like they can just fight it out and go back to being friends the next day? Apparently, they’re not like women, who have to ignore each other for days and turn everyone else against whoever they’re mad at, too.” I was trying to lighten the mood.

“I had no idea they were fighting,” she said.

“I mean, they’re not. At least I don’t think so. They seem totally fine now,” I assured her.

“So they worked it out?”

“Yes.”

“I’m sorry, what’s the problem then? I’m not sure I’m following you.”

I took a deep breath. “I was just wondering if you remembered anything about the fight, or what they fought about. Like I said, I’d wanted to ask you about it before, but I’ve been so busy I haven’t had the opportunity until now.”

“When you say ‘fight,’ do you mean an actual physical fight?”

“Yes, Hunter said he hit him.”

“Shai hit Hunter?” she asked incredulously.

“According to Hunter. That’s really why I was calling. And don’t feel bad, he’s totally fine—I was just trying to figure out what happened for the two of them to get into it like that. They’ve never fought like that before, so I figured it had to be something major. I’m just over here being a private investigator, you know?”

“Hmm… that is strange, but if it was the weekend before the pajama party, then I don’t think Hunter even came home with Shai. I was out of town on a business trip, and Corbin was the one on kid duty. He would’ve picked them up, but I’m pretty sure Hunter wasn’t with him. Let me text him quick and see…”

I waited while she tapped out a text to her husband. My stomach was in knots. I was so torn. I wanted to know, but at the same time I didn’t.

“How’s the trial going, by the way?” she asked while we waited.

“Oh, you know, the usual hateful drama between divorced couples.”

“I don’t know how you do it,” she said. “That’s all I could think about when I was going through mine, all the lawyers that had to live in that world every day. It— Oh!” she exclaimed, interrupting herself. “He texted back. Let me see what he said… that’s what I thought. He said he picked Shai up from the party, but Hunter wasn’t with him. He actually picked him up early because Shai was starting to get one of his migraines. I guess he threw up in the car on the way home. Obviously, a memorable night for Corbin.”

My heart sank. “He didn’t say anything about Hunter? I mean, Corbin didn’t mention if Shai said anything about Hunter that night?”

“Hold on, I’ll ask him quick.” A few beats passed. “No, sorry, he says he doesn’t remember Shai saying anything about Hunter. Maybe it was some other weekend?” she asked, sensing there was something wrong.

“I don’t think so.”

“Hmm…” she said and it wasn’t long before the silence grew awkward. “Wish I could be more helpful.”

I quickly responded, projecting all kinds of happiness into my voice like this was perfectly okay, and there was nothing to be concerned about. “No worries. I appreciate you letting me pick your brain about it.”

“I’m sure there’s a totally reasonable explanation,” she said, with way more confidence than I felt.

“Absolutely.” I faked optimism. “Maybe things just got out of hand at the party, and he didn’t want to tell me about it.”

“Exactly. The secret life of teenagers. Blaming it on your best friend. Not a bad choice.” Her voice was light, but she was probably going to tell Shai I called and ask him about it. Hunter would be pissed, totally betrayed I’d called someone behind his back. I couldn’t believe we were here, but we were.

“Anyway, thanks for all your help.”

“No problem, I hope you figure it out.”

I sat on the chair staring at the phone after I hung up, but not for long. If Hunter hadn’t been with Shai, then where was he? What was he doing at the water tower? When did he leave Jett’s house?

No matter which way I looked at it, my son was lying to me.

Something happened at that party.

Could Shai have been one of the boys in the video? Maybe Hunter was bruised up because he helped end the attack? He’d done that in kindergarten once, slid underneath a bathroom stall and pushed a kid who was bullying his friend. Maybe he’d saved the girl, and wouldn’t tell me because he didn’t want to get his other friends in trouble? There were lots of ways he could’ve been involved. Maybe he was one of the good guys.

I didn’t know how that girl’s story ended. We’d never reached the part where she got away. What if there’d been a fight then? I just needed more information. I pulled up the last number the mystery girl had texted me from and tapped out a text to her. I didn’t know if she’d even get it, since I didn’t know how the burner app worked, but it was worth a try.

Hey! Just checking on you to see how you are. Can we talk?