Hello, Goodbye by Kate Stollenwerck

Author:Kate Stollenwerck
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: SparkPress

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

I’m still buzzing from last night when I get a text from Dad that he’s on the way to pick me up at Gigi’s house. Now that the Fourth is over, I need to get my act together and focus on discovering more about Jack and trying to locate his hideout.

We only know two facts about the hideout: a barn sits on the property, and it’s located somewhere around Malone in Central Texas. We’re basically talking about every piece of property over at least a hundred square miles. I’ve got to dig deeper and find a few more clues.

Dad is unusually quiet in the car. He doesn’t ask about my night or the fireworks finale. A Fourth of July fireworks show is just the kind of topic that gets my dad excited. He loves to analyze the show’s elements, giving an Olympic figure-skating judge critique on timing, colors, loudness, and height. But not today. We drive along silently listening to NPR. I’m starting to get an uneasy feeling.

We arrive home, and Mom is waiting in the doorway. “Dad and I need to speak with you.”

I was right. Something is wrong and it must be about last night. Technically, I didn’t do anything other than go to a high school gathering where alcohol was present. My mind races, trying to figure out what to say. I think I can spin last night into a Good Samaritan tale because I was helpful to Caroline.

The three of us retreat to the living room. I drop down onto the sofa, but they both remain standing. Mom crosses her arms in front of her chest, and she nibbles on her lower lip.

“We need you to tell us what’s been going on,” she says in a stern voice, her forehead covered in lines.

I look to Dad for help, but he wears the same troubled face as Mom. “I don’t know what you mean.”

Mom throws her hands up. “Hailey, enough. Just tell us the truth.”

My stomach twists in knots. “Okay. I went to the golf course last night with Blake and DeMarcus. Some kids were drinking, but I was strictly tipping back Dr Pepper. Caroline Chase was there and super drunk, so I helped take care of her, and made sure she sobered up. But I didn’t drink. I swear I’m telling the truth.”

Mom’s eyes widen. “That’s not what I’m talking about. We will revisit last night another time. I’m talking about you driving Gigi’s car on a road trip!”

Crap. I struggle to process what she just said. How did she find out? “May I ask who told you that?”

“No. What matters is that you lied to us, and you didn’t have our permission to go. You don’t even have your driver’s license yet!”

“Did you talk to Gigi?”

I know that can’t be it because she hasn’t spoken to her in all the weeks I’ve been going to Gigi’s house. And then it hits me. She’s been checking my phone. Anger streaks through me. “Did you take

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.