Dylan (Inked Brotherhood 4)

“Well, hi,” she says, and I hear a faint smile in her voice. “You do sound off. Are you coming down with something?”

“Maybe.” Hearing her, I feel better, and I don’t want to hang up just yet. “How are you and Ash?”

“Fine.” I hear a bass male voice in the background, and Audrey laughs. “Yeah, he’s fine. More than fine. Ash, cut it out!”

More heat washes up my neck, seeping into my cheeks, when my imagination helpfully supplies images of the things Asher must be doing to my friend right now. “I should go. We can talk another time.”

“Wait, Tess. What’s on your mind? Want to meet in the afternoon for coffee? I could convince the guys to come.”

“Nah, not today. I’m meeting with someone from my history class to study.” Hey, innocent white lies don’t count, right? I stare at my open suitcase. “Aud… We’ve been friends a long time.”

“Yeah, we sure have. What’s up, girl?”

“You mean the world to me. Your happiness…” I have to stop and swallow hard. “I’m so glad you and Ash found each other. And everyone else, too. Tyler and Erin, Zane and Dakota. I hope you know how much you all mean to me.”

“Tess?” Audrey’s voice goes all high-pitched. “What the hell’s going on? What aren’t you telling me?”

Shit. Way to go, almost gave myself away. “Nothing.” I think furiously, trying to cover up my blunder. “It’s PMS. You know, just a hormonal thing.”

“I know what PMS is,” Audrey says, more quietly now. “Are you sure you don’t want me to come over? We can drink hot chocolate and watch stupid TV shows.”

I smile, although tears are pressing behind my brow, burning. “I’m sure. I’m going out now anyway. I won’t be back until later.”

Much, much later.

“Okay then,” Audrey whispers, sounding unconvinced. “Call me when you’re back? I want to tell you something.”

“What, Aud?”

“Not, now. I…” She pauses, sighs. “Later. Ah, there’s something else, almost forgot. Dylan called this morning, asking who Sean Anholt is. Tessa, did you tell him?”

“Tell him what?” I take a step back, as if Sean can touch me through the mention of his name. My mind whirs uselessly. Why would Dylan call Audrey and ask?

“Girl, you told me Sean was nasty to you when you were together. You never told me what happened exactly, but he’s not here, is he? You said he moved to England?”

“He did.”

“Then why was Dylan asking me about him?”

Shit. “I, uh, ran into Dylan at the gala, and we got to talking.” Among other things. Oh God… “What else did he say?”

“He asked if you were still together with Sean. I told him no. Was I right?”

“Yeah, of course. We’re not together. Never were.” Damn you, Sean. “What else?”

“He asked if Sean used to hurt you. I said…”

My lungs feel crushed. “What did you say?”

“Tess, I said yes. He did, didn’t he? He hurt you. That summer you told me about.”

A sob rises in my throat, and I swallow convulsively. I never told her what really happened, just bits and pieces, but I think she knows.

“Dylan sounded angry,” Audrey whispers. “What happened?”

“I got to go now.” My voice wobbles. I can’t talk anymore. “Talk to you later, Aud.”

“Tessa, wait.”