Page 54 of The Lies Always Told (Baker Oaks #4)
TWENTY-FIVE
ANSWER THE PHONE
My Fault by Noah Cyrus Ft. Shaboozy
Gus
“Here are your keys,” Santiago says, walking my way to the Baker Auto’s waiting room. Jake and his dad own this place, and it’s the only place I trust to work on the Barracuda. Even when Jake and Allie were apart, this is where I would take it for maintenance.
“Is it behaving well?”
“You take good care of that beauty, so nothing major. Bring it back in eight to twelve weeks.”
“Gracias,” I reply, taking my keys and tapping him on the back.
“Can I ask something that is none of my business?” he asks, tilting his body against the wall and crossing his arms in front of him.
He’s quiet for the most part, and if it wasn’t because I know he’s kind from being part of the same friend group, I would think he’s an asshole based solely on his looks.
Dark eyebrows make him always look mad, tattoos all over the place.
Textbook do not approach , but he’s anything but.
Another example of bias and judging a book by its cover.
“Are you dating Nellie?” Oh shit, here we go.
“I better sit down, huh?” There’s not an easy answer to that question, because in reality, the answer is no, but how do I explain the physical pain I feel when I’m not with her?
How restless I am at the thought of not having her in my arms?
How I wish I could turn back time and do it all over again, same but different, just so I don’t hurt her, so I could erase this wedge I drove between us.
How do I tell him I can’t imagine my life without her, but that we’re not actually together?
“You don’t have to. I know we’re not close or anything, and if I’m overstepping, let me know.”
“No, no. It’s fine. The answer is complicated.”
He nods, walking up to the stool in front of me and sitting down. “?Te puedo dar un consejo?? 1 ”
“Dale.? 2 ”
“Whatever it is, if you love her, uncomplicate it. Too much gets in the way of our happiness already without us being in our own way. Life’s too damn short to play it safe. So whatever is making it complicated, if it’s within your reach, fix it.”
“I’m trying…but we’re supposed to talk today, so hopefully, it’ll be less complicated.” I’ve never used that word as many times as I have in just these few sentences, but yeah, that’s exactly what it is. Again…how does he know? “Wait, how do you know?”
He chuckles and shakes his head. “It’s obvious to whoever has eyes and is looking for the truth.
I wanted to say something because I’ve seen it happen too many times before; the love and passion are right there, and for whatever reason, one or the other person doesn’t make it happen.
This is me telling you to make it happen.
If she’s doubting, unless you hurt her on purpose, prove to her why she shouldn’t doubt it anymore. Why she shouldn’t doubt you .”
“I would never hurt her on purpose,” I reply, my body stiffening at even thinking those words.
“I know, which is why I said something.”
Before I can reply, my phone lights up with a message to my sibling group chat.
Allie:
Something’s happening at the high school, and I can’t get a hold of Jake.
The fuck?
Me:
What do you mean?
Manny:
Is Cara ok?
Allie:
We’re fine. We’re together, actually. Our school is in a code yellow because of something happening at the high school. There’s been no communication other than the high school and the middle school are both in code red.
Holy shit. Nellie.
Me:
What can we do?
Allie:
I’m sure it’s nothing, but I’m getting worried.
Me:
I’m heading to your house. Keep us posted.
Manny:
Same. Gus, call me.
I look up at Santiago, who’s looking at me with questions in his eyes.
“Something’s going on at the schools. I’m gonna head to Allie’s house.”
“Yeah, man. Let me know if I can do anything.”
“Will do.” I grab my keys and text Nellie before I’m even out to my car.
Me:
Tell me you’re okay.
She doesn’t reply, but I have no time to wait. I hop in my car and head to Allie’s, calling Manny on the way. So much for me telling Dr. Diaz I’d keep my heart rate low.
Hours have passed. Nellie hasn’t answered.
Allie and Cara stopped answering a while back after they said they were both safe, and Manny and I are just waiting for whatever will happen next.
The local news talked about a firearm at school but no casualties.
They said someone was severely injured, and they’re waiting for more information, then someone was in custody, nothing else.
Now, we’re just waiting. The hospital will be jam-packed, I’m sure, and the school dismissal seems to be a nightmare too. We just wait.
Allie’s door opens, and both Allie and Cara walk through.
It’s almost dark outside, and I don’t even know what time it is.
I still haven’t heard from Nellie, but the news said nothing about the middle school.
Allie looks like she’s been crying for hours, and Cara like she’s seen a ghost. She walks up to Manny and collapses in his arms. Allie walks to me, directly into my arms, and hugs me tight.
“Nick’s hurt,” Allie says between soft sobs while Cara loses it in Manny’s arms. He picks her up and brings her to the couch as Allie and I follow. She sits as I go to the kitchen for two bottles of water.
“What do you mean?” I ask, handing her a water and giving the other one to Manny, who currently has Cara curled up on his lap.
“He got shot, and it’s really bad. He’s in the hospital right now.
I don’t know many details, but Jake is with him, and Natalie’s there.
Their daughter is with her grandparents, but we don’t know anything else.
Jake is clearly distraught, but he couldn’t say much. He said he was okay, that was all.”
“I’m sorry, Allie. Is anyone else hurt? Doesn’t Nellie work at the school?” There, I said it. I asked. Hopefully, it just sounds like genuine concern, not like the truth.
Not like I’m about to lose my goddamn mind if Nellie doesn’t reply soon.
“Nellie’s okay,” Cara answers between sobs.
“A student told her something that somehow is related to the situation, so she’s been with the police all afternoon.
She’s on the way home now, though. There’s no school tomorrow, so I’m sure she’ll sleep in, but I need to check on her tomorrow.
She has been working at school for what seems like the blink of an eye and already has to deal with this.
Our education system is so fucked up. This is bullshit. ”
I stay silent, listening to her talk and digesting every word. She heard something. Police interrogation. On the way home. Nellie. My Nellie. And now, she’s going home to what—be all alone?
“Do you want me to take you to the hospital?” I ask them, and Allie shakes her head.
“They won’t let anyone through unless they’re a family member, so we can’t. All that is left to do is wait for Jake to update us. Nick was going into surgery, so hopefully after that, we’ll get more information,” Allie replies.
“I’m staying here until we know more, but you two can go,” Cara says as Manny shakes his head.
“I’m staying, but Gus, you should go,” he adds, opening his eyes wide and mouthing something that looks a lot like “go to her.” Nellie. Nellie’s alone. Nellie had to file a report with the police, and now she’s all alone.
I kiss Allie on the forehead and squeeze Cara’s shoulder as I get up to go. “Let me know the minute you know more,” I say, and when Manny nods, I use it as my cue to leave.
I call Nellie, and it rings. It rings and it rings. Damn it, Nellie. Answer the phone . Nothing. But she’s okay. She’s at her parents’ house. At home. That’s what Cara said, so that’s where I go.
1 ? Can I give you an advise?
2 ? Go ahead.