You Were Here by Cory McCarthy

Author:Cory McCarthy
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Published: 2016-01-27T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 28

Natalie

Natalie searched for Jaycee. The girl was probably in the depths of the drainage system now…or wandering the streets of Columbus…or in Zach’s arms?

The fire illuminated quite possibly the weirdest thing Natalie had ever seen—Jaycee wrapped up in Zach’s hold, staring longingly at the fire pit.

“Zach!”

Zach let go of Jaycee, and she stumbled as if he had been keeping her from diving into the trash bin. Jaycee’s gaze reached across the fire to meet Natalie. The girl’s eyes were unbelievably black.

“Natalie,” Zach started. “Something happened and—”

“You did this,” Jaycee said.

“Did what? What did I do now?” Natalie yelled, furious. “And what did you do? Seduce my boyfriend to get back at me? That’s ridiculous even for you!”

Mik appeared behind Natalie, touching her shoulder in restraint.

“Looks like we’ve traded,” Jaycee said hotly.

Natalie threw Mik’s hand off. “I can’t believe you’d think I’d—”

Jaycee walked away. She left the light of the bonfire and the riot of the partiers, heading up the side of the cement ditch. Natalie had to follow. Her brain was so fed up that she couldn’t see anything other than Jaycee’s back. “Get Bishop,” she snapped at Mik. “We’re leaving.”

Natalie told herself that she was going to have it out with Jaycee right now come hell or high water. And considering she was standing at the “gates of hell,” which were built for high water, that couldn’t be more apropos. But before she could move, Zach’s voice stopped her.

“Natalie. Those kids burned her brother’s journal.”

Natalie’s anger flatlined. Mik swore. And then they were all heading up the incline, beating back trees to find Jaycee in the parking lot. Natalie was the fastest one. “Jayce—”

Jaycee moved in so fast that Natalie braced for a punch, but instead Jaycee hugged her. Really hugged her.

Natalie held on tight. “Oh God, I’m so sorry. I’m so, so sorry, Jayce.”

All three boys came up the incline, and Natalie waved them back while she held on to Jaycee. The girl’s whole body was trembling.

“Every time I trust you, I get burned,” Jaycee whispered.

“What?”

“I can’t trust you.” Jaycee’s hand slunk into Natalie’s back pocket. “You shouldn’t trust me either.” Jaycee stepped away, already reading Mik’s note about Tyler.

“Don’t say anything,” Natalie breathed.

Jaycee looked from the scrap of paper. “I thought you slept with Mik. Or possibly Bishop.”

Natalie glanced at the boys. She could tell two things instantly. One, Mik and Bishop knew exactly what was happening. Two, Zach had no clue. Until Jaycee held the note out to him.

“Jaycee!” Natalie cried.

“What’s this?” Zach took it.

“Truth,” Jaycee said to him. “Natalie slept with your brother.”

There was a dead moment.

And strangely enough, the first person to act was Mik. He moved forward, caught Jaycee by the upper arm, and hauled her back toward Natalie’s car. Bishop touched Zach’s shoulder and looked like he was going to say something, but then he left too.

“I don’t understand,” Zach finally said. He held out the note. “What does this mean?”

“Wait, Zach. Hear me out. That’s not the whole story. That’s just what—”

“What does this mean?” He threw the piece of paper.

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