Hidden Desires by Elle Kennedy Read Free Book Online Page B

“Thanks. It’s not easy keeping it this way. Tessa’s not usually allowed in this room, but with another on the way,” she said, tapping her belly, “I think I’m going to be outnumbered soon.” The three made small talk as they sipped the lemonade. Though it was nice seeing Layla, Rachel couldn’t hold back the discomfort of being there. The sight of her in this beautiful home and Travis playfully doting over her daughter brought back those searing pains of remorse. Not only had she never been blessed to grow up in a loving household like Tessa would, she doubted she would ever have the warm, stable life Layla had come to find. She felt like the odd-man-out in a room full of normal, functional people. It was how she always felt when surrounded by friends and their families.
    “What is this about Carrie? Has something happened?”
    Rachel shook from her thoughts and, once again, looked to Travis for help in answering Layla’s question.
    “Well,” Travis started, adjusting in his seat, “Rachel came across Carrie’s diary, and there were things written in it we thought you might be able to shed some light on.”
    “Really?” Layla said, turning her eyes to Rachel. “Gosh, it’s been a long time, but I can try.”
    “We’re interested in the month between prom and graduation,” Travis went on. “She broke up with me just after prom.”
    “Yes, I remember that.”
    “Did she tell you what brought that on?”
    “Well, yes. She didn’t want any attachments. She’d cut off everyone except for me. She wanted to sever all her ties with everyone, to make it easier.”
    “To make what easier?” Travis asked.
    “Her death, of course.”
    Rachel’s heart began to race. She set her lemonade on the table, fearful that the trembling in her hands might cause her to spill some on the spotless carpet. She was unprepared for Layla’s words. She felt the blood drain from her head and she quickly became dizzy.
    As if seeing the expression on her face, Layla added, “Oh, Rachel. I don’t want you to think…I mean, I had no idea what she was planning. You have to know that. The way she talked, I thought she was going on a trip. It wasn’t until after that I realized what she’d been talking about.” The room went ice cold, despite the morning sun that cast through the large picture window. Goose bumps flashed over her skin and her chest went tight, making it hard to breathe. Though Rachel was quickly unraveling, Travis kept his professional calm, probing Layla’s memory in between the occasional Cheerio.
    “Let’s assume for a moment she really was planning a trip. Do you remember anything specific she said about it?”
    “She wouldn’t say. It was a big secret. She was leaving. She didn’t want to have anyone left behind after she was gone. That’s why she broke up with you. She’d stopped seeing all her other friends as well. I was the only one she confided in, but even then, she wouldn’t tell me any specifics.” Pain creased her features. “Of course, after…I realized why.”
    “So you think she was planning suicide all along?”
    “Well, of course. It all fits, doesn’t it?”
    Rachel opened her mouth to object. She knew Carrie wasn’t planning suicide, but Travis held up a hand and continued.
    “In her diary, she talks about a man with the initials of BF. This man led her to believe he would take her somewhere. Does that ring any bells?”
    Layla’s eyes went wide. “You don’t think she was planning suicide?”
    “Not from what we saw in the diary.”
    She sank back in the chair and placed a hand on her chest. Her eyes welled with tears. “Oh, I never wanted to believe it. I’ve always felt I should have known. I should have done something.” She rose and left the room, returning moments later with a tissue she used to dab her tears.
    “Do you recall any man with the initials BF? We think she made contact with him the weekend of the prom. Maybe someone at the prom?”
    “Well,