43. Reese

Cody is staring at me like a fish out of water. His mouth works, but no sound comes out. Eventually, he manages to croak, “You have a tattoo.”

Of all the things he saw today, that is the part that seems to upset him the most. He looks offended, like I kept the secret from him specifically. “Yes, Cody. I have a tattoo.”

“Since when?”

“Since a few months ago.”

I can feel Skyler behind me. I can smell Skyler on me, a fact that makes my cheeks burn like two smoldering coals. But I’m not going to lean on Skyler to get me out of this mess. “Cody, about what you saw… I’m going to need you to keep that private.”

He barks a laugh.

I glare at him. “You’re not going to tell Mitch or Bo. And you’re sure as shit not going to tell my brother.”

“I hardly ever talk to Josh.”

Cody says.

“You won’t tell Mitch, either. Right?”

He laughs, shaking his head. “Oh, I’m telling Mitch.”

“Cody. Please. I’m not joking.”

I pause. “If this gets back to Josh…”

Cody’s gaze flicks behind me, landing on Skyler.

I straighten my spine, drawing his gaze back to my face. “If you tell anybody, and I mean anybody, I’m telling mama Heather about the time you let Shea Pierson take the fall for your baggy of weed.”

His eyebrows twitch. “Good luck with that. Mom doesn’t live in Silver Bend anymore.”

“No, but we’re friends online.”

“Shit.”

He mutters. After a few heartbeats, he flops back. “What the fuck is this, anyway? Are you two a couple?”

We both say no at the same time. Which, admittedly, doesn’t feel good. I glance over my shoulder and force myself to look at Skyler. He’s got a lot at stake. Maybe more than me, even. He and my brother are best friends. And my brother is famously protective. This is the kind of secret that could destroy a friendship. For the first time, I start to feel guilty for putting him in this position in the first place.

Cody sighs noisily. “I’m seeing you in a whole new light.”

I turn back to him. “Yeah, about that. I’d rather you unsee whatever you saw.”

“Too late. It’s burned into my memory. I always pegged you for a goody-two-shoes. Turns out, little sis is a wild child.”

He tilts his head. “How come you never partied with us in high school?”

“You know what my parents are like.”

He grimaces. “Indeed, I do. Your mom once spanked Mitch and me for sneaking the communion grape juice.”

I laugh. “Sounds about right.”

He turns his gaze back to Skyler. “And what about you?”

Skyler shrugs. “I never stole the juice.”

Cody frowns. “I mean, you’re awfully quiet over there, letting sweet Reese take all the heat.”

Skyler takes a deep breath. “I don’t have much to say for myself.”

Cody shakes his head. “Yeah. You never do.”

He sits up. “You two lovebirds want some coffee?”

Skyler stands, glancing at me. “I think we better hit the road.”

We slip back into Cody’s guest room, attempting to put the room back together. I give Skyler his shirt back and we’re forced to take the walk of shame past Cody’s disapproving eye.

Once we’re back in Skyler’s truck, I let my head flop back, turning to look up at Cody’s place. “You think he’ll keep his mouth shut?”

“Not a chance.”

Skyler starts his truck up and merges into traffic. “He and Mitch talk about everything. But I doubt it will go past that.”

I glance at him. “We don’t have anything to worry about, then?”

He keeps his gaze trained on the road, his face stiff and impassive. “You worried, Kitty Cat?”

“Aren’t you?”

He glances at me, dark eyes burning into mine. His expression is stormy, unspoken words swirl behind closed lips and I’m not sure what he’s thinking.

Am I worried? My reputation is at stake, that’s true. I’m in for a hell of a talking to if my parents get wind of this. But Skyler? His friendship with Josh is about the only thing he’s ever really cared about.

Tentatively, I weave my fingers through his. Keeping his gaze pointed straight ahead, he squeezes my hand, bringing my fingers to his lips.

It’s a small gesture. It doesn’t quite quench the growing flames of guilt in my stomach, but it does make me feel a little less alone.