As Xander and I walk through downtown, I blink back the threat of tears.

Stone Carter is a dead end. Not that him hooking up with Eli means he was never with Ava, but this new finding makes it feel less likely.

With each passing second I'm more frustrated than the last. Nothing is adding up. And the more I learn, the more it seems possible that Ava did this to herself.

I don't want to believe it. My sister, of all people, knew what it's like to lose someone to suicide. It drags you to the darkest places and breaks you over and over again. After Dad, how could she turn around and force Mom and I to live through another nightmare?

The only explanation is that she couldn't have been in her right mind. Maybe she just didn't have the capacity, in that moment, to realize what she was doing and the impact it would have. And if that's the case, perhaps it's possible our father didn't realize it either. The thought, though far-fetched, brings a little comfort. And right now, I'll take it.

Xander nudges me with his elbow. "You're awfully quiet. Are you okay?"

I wipe away a tear with my knuckle. "Just thinking."

"About?"

"That maybe it's time to stop chasing fairy tales." A gust of wind blows hair across my face. I tuck it behind my ears and take a shaky breath. "I should have known better anyway. I've never believed in them."

He arches an eyebrow. "Am I supposed to know what that means?"

Despite myself, I laugh. "I guess not."

Xander hesitates before going on. "I'm not sure what to say, but I want you to know I care about what you're going through. I know it doesn't change anything, but I hope it makes getting through it a little more bearable."

An unexpected warmth swells in my chest. "Strangely enough, it does. Thank you."

Embarrassed, I stuff my hands into my pockets and look away. And then a hushed voice cements my boots to the concrete.

I recognize the nasally accent immediately.

On reflex, I grab Xander's arm and hold him back.

"What's wrong?"

I press my finger to my lips and drag him to the edge of the building. Around the corner is an area paved with old-fashioned red brick. It stretches across the block, from one street to the next. There's a water fountain in the center with strategically placed benches throughout, and raised gardens filled with ornamental trees and wildflowers. The aroma from nearby restaurants swirl in the air around us.

Kate is sitting on a bench, her back to us, talking on the phone.

"I just picked it up from the repair shop," she says to whoever's on the opposite end. She's holding something in her hand. "I don't know, it needs more juice. But if this belongs to who I think it does..." Her sentence trails off.

Xander tugs on my sleeve. "Come on.There are better things to do than spy on Kate Baxter."

"Wait a minute," I say, waving at him to be quiet.

Kate's auburn hair falls over her shoulder, concealing the side of her face. "It's turning on!" Her voice is thick with excitement, but it doesn't take long before she sounds annoyed. "Of course, it needs a passcode. I hate passcodes—they're such a fucking waste of time!" she complains. "I know, I know. What do you think I am—stupid? I figured it'd be an issue so I bought a kit to unlock it."

When I glance back at Xander, confusion takes over his features. "What's she doing?"

I shake my head. "Knowing her, nothing good."

My attention returns to Kate when she rumbles into her cell. "I don't know. It's taking forever!"

A middle-aged couple followed by three older ladies pass by on the sidewalk, talking and laughing as they enter a nearby bar. My heart sinks as Kate glances over her shoulder to look at them. Before she can see us, I jump back and push Xander out of sight.

"Can I ask you a question?" he whispers.

Something doesn't feel right. With Kate, it rarely does. But it's different this time—I'm just not sure how.

My breaths come out heavy, and I don't trust myself to speak.

He doesn't wait for an answer. "Why do you care what Kate's up to?"

I inhale through my nose and try to calm my heaving chest. "I don't know. I just don't trust her," I say in a wispy voice. "What's that old saying—keep your friends close and your enemies closer?"

His brows furrow. "I think you're looking for trouble and I don't want to be a part of it."

When he turns away, I yank him back. "Please don't leave me." My voice is borderline desperate.

Xander stares into my eyes for a long moment, and a swallow moves down his throat. Finally, he shakes his head and we resume our surveillance from around the corner.

Kate's quiet as her gaze sweeps back to whatever's in her lap. And then, "Oh my God. What the fuck?"

I hold my breath, my ears straining to hear more.

"Oh my God," she says again. "They were texting each other. There must be thousands of messages! He asked Ava to meet him on the cliffs."

At the sound of Ava's name, my blood goes cold.

"I don't know, he didn't say. But she said she had something to tell him." Kate lets out a frustrated groan. "What the hell does this mean?"

"What's going on?" Xander demands from behind me, his chin digging into my shoulder.

I shrug him off and lean closer.

"What should I do?" Kate asks after a long beat of silence. "No, not that. I don't want to corner him. He'll be less likely to tell the truth." She pauses. "Yeah, maybe. I can try." She sniffles and shakes her head, like she's pushing through the shock. "Meet me in thirty, okay? I'm heading back now."

A long stream of curse words ooze past her lips. After what feels like forever, Kate stands from the bench and stalks toward us.

"Shit." I push myself off the wall and yank Xander with me, pulling up my hood so Kate can't see my face.

"What the hell is going on?" Xander demands as we careen down the sidewalk, our hips bumping into each other as we scramble away.

I have to force the words from my mouth. "Whatever you do, don't look back. I don't want her to see us."

"Where are we going?"

My head is dizzy, the scenery around us swaying like I'm still drunk. "Anywhere but here."

"You're hyperventilating." Xander grasps my hand and pulls me into a nearby shop. It's a used book store, the smell of dust and vanilla invading my nostrils the moment we step inside.

He tugs me through the isles until we reach the back corner where a cushy-looking couch is sandwiched between two end tables with shaded lamps. The area is dimly lit, the glow from the bulbs smoldering like the welcoming flames of a fireplace.

I barely notice as Xander guides me into the soft, leather cushion. The wobbliness in my brain intensifies, and I fall back into the couch.

"Here," he says, his hand warm on my shoulder. "Put your head between your knees to get your blood flowing. Now take some deep breaths. Yes, just like that. You're doing good."

By the time I'm feeling better, my mouth tastes like dusty books. I sit up and let out a shaky exhale. "I need a drink."

"I'll see if they have water," he says, jumping up and heading toward the information desk.

Water—great. Except that's not what I meant. He returns with a bottle of Poland Spring, and even though I despise spring water, I don't complain. I twist off the cap and swallow half the bottle, the liquid like heaven against my throat.

Like before, Xander takes a seat next to me, and the cushion dips beneath his weight. "What just happened?"

I can't tell him. I can't even look at him.

"Mia?" he pleads.

"I don't know!"

When he tries again, his voice is softer. "You can trust me—I'm on your side. What did Kate say that made you so upset?"

I feel like I'm going insane. Did I really hear what I think I heard? If I did, that means Kate Baxter has something that could answer all of my questions.

I close my eyes. Open them. And turn to Xander. "Kate has Ava's phone."

🔘

Hello, and thank you for reading Sweet Deadly Lies!

Just a quick note: I found out Novel HD has stolen this story from me along with my ONC romance This Thing Called Love.

I don't want them to have it. Not only because it's illegal, but I only share my stories with you on Wattpad.

In an attempt to stop the theft, from here on out, I may start posting a "dummy" chapter first before the real chapter. What does that mean? It means I'll post a graphic stating what's going on, and then later in the day, I'll switch it out for the real deal. You'll only get one notification when the "dummy" chapter is posted, but I'll make sure to send out a message on my profile when the real one is in place. I'm really sorry for the inconvenience, and hope you understand. I'm not sure if this will work, but it's worth a try. Thanks again, and the graphic will look something like this: