What You Hide by Natalie D. Richards

Author:Natalie D. Richards
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Published: 2018-11-04T16:00:00+00:00

Spencer

Sunday, November 19, 7:12 p.m.

Mallory is changed and warmer by the time the double slab of lasagna I order arrives. It’s on a platter big enough for Mallory to sit on. She eats every bit of her half and two pieces of garlic bread. And she sits on the bench in the booth like I did in preschool, crisscross-applesauce with her legs folded.

“Okay, time for the Rubino’s tradition.” I point to a sign above the pizza oven.

Make a Wish.

She laughs. “I don’t believe in wishes.”

“C’mon. Everybody has a wish. I think you should pick three.”

“What?”

“Three wishes. That’s what the genie always gives people, right?”

Her face screws up, and she takes a drink of her soda. “What are your three wishes?”

“Ah, I see. You’re going to cheat. But fine. My three wishes.” I tick them off my fingers. “To climb Cassin Ridge in Denali. To have a lifetime supply of Lemonheads.”

“Lemonheads? Gross.”

“Are you finished judging my wishes?” She laughs, and I tick off my third finger. “To do something with my life that feels right.”

“I’ll think on it,” she says, but I can tell she won’t. She cocks her head, ready to change the subject. “So who do you think is in the library? Personally, I’m hoping like hell all my years of logic are wrong, and it’s a ghost.”

“Wait. You’re hoping the library is haunted?”

She shrugs. “Sure. What’s a ghost going to do? Rattle some chains? Moan in the attic?”

“Interesting point. Plus, if it’s a ghost, you could name it. Casper. Or Scrooge.”

She shakes her head. “Scrooge isn’t the ghost. He’s the crotchety old rich guy.”

“Probably a throw pillow tycoon. That’s how all the guys get rich.”

She sighs. “That’s just your bubble of privilege talking, Spencer.”

“My bubble of privilege?”

“Yes. Don’t you listen to talk radio?”

“Does anyone?”

“Not from inside their bubbles of privilege.”

I laugh. “Are you always this fast with the comebacks?”

She chews her bottom lip like it’s an important question. “I think so. I used to be anyway. Mom and I used to banter back and forth all the time. Once upon a time.”

“What changed?”

Her face frosts over. “Charlie.”

I put down my fork, feeling like I took a puck to the gut. “Mallory, does this guy…”

“No.” She lets out a harsh laugh. “Whatever you’re going to ask, no. I know it’s ridiculous, but some days I think it would be easier if he hit us.”

“It wouldn’t be,” I say, and she nods quickly.

“You’re right. I know.” Then she frowns. “Could we maybe not? Just for now.”

“Definitely,” I say.

A commotion at the counter catches my eye. My heart sinks when I spot the familiar group. Jarvey and Isaac and Alex’s girlfriend, Ava.

“Friends of yours.” Mallory nods at them. “Right?”

“Hockey friends,” I say. “They were the ones in the library.”

She tenses and I wonder if she’s thinking the same thing I am. Have the police already talked to them? Shit, is that why Alex isn’t here? He doesn’t deserve to be mixed up in this, so I hope not.

“They might come over here,” I say.

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