Dead Girls Don't Lie by Jennifer Shaw Wolf Read Free Book Online Page A

just concern.
    “No,” I answer without looking at him, but the thought that he actually cares makes my heart thump. “But I think he’s one of Rachel’s friends, I mean he was—” I swallow.
    Skyler nods. “His name is Eduardo.” I look up quickly. Eduardo? Like the “E” Rachel told me to trust? “He worked for my dad last season. He’s kind of rough. Dad fired him after he caught a bunch of them smoking pot behind the silos.”
    “Oh.” I think about the headline I saw this morning. More than once I’ve heard people use the word “drugs” when I knew they were talking about Rachel. If he was a drug addict, why would Rachel tell me to trust him?
    “Anyway, not exactly the kind of guy you should be hanging around with.”
    If I were quick or brave, like Claire or Rachel, I would say something like, “Maybe you could give me an idea about the type of guy I should be hanging out with?” But I’m not them and anyway my mind is too full of other things.
    “I need to get back to work. My dad will kill me if I don’t finish that field today. Do you want to stay here and swim, or should I take you home?”
    The thought of going back into the water freaks me out, and I don’t think I can stand listening to Claire and Taylor barrage me with questions again. “Do you have time to take me home?”
    “Sure. No problem.” He turns around to back out, but Claire comes to the window.
    She taps on it, and Skyler rolls it down. She passes Skyler my bag and towel. “I got your clothes. In case you need them or something.”
    “Thanks,” I reply. When Skyler turns to hand them to me, Claire makes kissing faces at us through the window. I think Skyler sees her when he turns around. I want to dissolve into the seat.
    Between shifting gears, Skyler keeps his hand on my leg for the short ride home, but when he pulls up in front of my house, I get out quickly and don’t wait for him to walk me in. I’m not sure if we’ve reached the point where good-bye requires a kiss. I’m pretty sure I want him to kiss me again, only not right now, and not in front of my house where Dad might see. I wave and yell thanks from the front porch.
    “See ya later,” he yells back. He peels out as he throws the truck into reverse. I cringe, wondering if Dad saw him, and count to ten before I open the door.
    Dad is waiting for me, my phone in his hand. I freeze, terrified that he’s seen Rachel’s text. “I heard your phone buzzing from your bedroom. You got a text.” He holds out the phone. “Would you like to explain it to me?”
    My hands are shaking, but I try to hide it as I take the phone from him. I look down, bracing myself to read Rachel’s last words again. Instead I read:
    We need to talk.—E

Chapter 6
    “Who is E? And where have you really been? And why did Skyler Cross bring you home?” Dad’s questions come at me fast. I blink, trying to process what he’s saying and how to answer. “Well?” His voice is calm, but I hear shakiness behind it, like he’s really mad, or scared—maybe both.
    I choose the easiest question to answer right now. “I was at the lake. Like I told you.” I indicate my stringy, wet ponytail, evidence that I really was where I said I would be. “I didn’t feel very good, so Skyler brought me home.” That’s mostly true.
    “And the text?” I can feel Dad’s eyes searching mine for traces of guilt. I’ve never been a good liar.
    “It must have been a mistake.” I pretend to study the message so I can avoid his eyes. “I don’t recognize the number, and I have no idea who E is.” That part is mostly true. Evan? Eduardo? Neither one has my phone number. It probably is a wrong number. But it makes me remember whatRachel wrote on the back of the paper Eduardo tried to give me.
    Don’t trust anyone but E .
    Could this be the same E? The idea that this is a wrong number slips away.
    Dad lets out his breath, like he’s trying to stay calm. “I guess it could be.” He