Page 31 of The Publicity Stunt

“What’s what?”

“Behind your back.”

“Nothing,” he responds, his voice taut.

“Then why the hell are you acting so weird? What’s going on?”

“Nothing’s going on.”

Something’s definitely off. Without averting my gaze, I reach my hand out.

“Hey!” Tyler stumbles back. “The fuck’s your problem, man?”

A few other people gather around us. Holly casually leans against a wall, scrutinizing the commotion.

“What’s behind your back, Tyler?” I ask him.

“It’s my phone, dude! The fuck is it to you?”

“Whoa, what’s going on?” I look over my shoulder and see April walk over to us.

“Your ‘boyfriend’ is acting like a crazy person, is what’s up,” Tyler says, nudging his chin toward me.

“What?” April picks up her beer can from the beer-pong table.

I take another step toward him and lower my voice to a whisper. “Don’t do this in front of her.”

“Do what, dude? The fuck is wrong with you?” Tyler shoves me in the shoulder and I stumble back a little.

“Hey! Tyler! What the hell?” April rushes to my side. “Don’t fucking hit him.”

“Me?” Tyler looks at April with a dark glint in his eyes. “Keep your fucking patsy on a leash, April.”

“Tyler has something to show you.” My voice flattens. I have my suspicions about what he’s hiding on his phone, but I hope it isn’t true.

“What?” She looks up at me, heavy frown lines across her forehead. “What is it?” Her eyes dart between the two of us.

“Don’t listen to him.” Tyler extends his arm toward April and I step between them, blocking it.

Not on my watch, buddy.

“Show her what’s behind your back.”

April steps to my side. “What? What’s behind his back?”

“Nothing,” Tyler blurts out.

“Then why don’t you show it to her?” I repeat. His group of friends starts whispering sheepishly, a few raking April up and down with their eyes.

“Tyler, what’s the big deal? What’s behind your back?” she says.

He scoffs and looks back at his posse. “It’s just my phone.”

“Take it out,” I snap.

“Why the fuck?” He raises his voice.

“Tyler,” April says calmly. “Just take it out. It’s only your phone.” Immediately I see the color drain from his face, and that’s all I need to put two and two together.