Caleb’s mouth opens, but before he can object, I add, “He’ll never be there when I’m there. I’m just going in to ask some questions about a missing intern. Dr. O’s trying to get as much evidence as he can to get the senator put away.” I take his hand and press it to my lips, feeling his grip slowly relax. “When Matthew Sterling’s in jail, Grayson will go home, and you can say good-bye to the secret part of girlfriend.”
He gives a reluctant sigh.
“What are you doing?” I ask.
“What? Oh.” In the dim light, I can see his brows scrunch. “Nothing big. I’m tailing a new recruit. Some girl in Sycamore Township.”
The blanket slips off my shoulder.
What do I tell them?
Tell them I’ve asked you to investigate a potential student.
Caleb’s followed recruits before—I was one of them. His job was to watch me work, see if I could pull a con and keep a secret. He had to give an opinion on whether I would be a good fit at Vale Hall.
I am only here because of Caleb’s good report.
But it can’t be coincidence that Dr. O just told me to give the same exact excuse when asked about my current assignment—one he very much wants to keep secret. Caleb pulls the blanket back over my shoulder, tucking me firmly inside and rubbing his hands over my arms.
“You all right?”
I search his face for truth, but find nothing suspicious.
But Caleb is good at lying. We all are. That’s why we’re here.
I nod.
“You’ll be careful, right?” he asks, worried.
“Of course.”
His hands slow on my biceps. His arms drop to his sides.
We walk back along the planks, fitting ourselves through the gap in the insulation. He takes another exit, one that climbs into a crawl space and drops into a bathroom at the end of the boys’ hallway.
Caleb and I promised we’d always tell each other the truth—that what was between us needed to be real if everything else was fabricated. I was honest about my assignment—I risked getting busted without a second thought. But what if Caleb lied? I want to believe that he really is checking out some girl in Sycamore Township, but what if he’s not? What other assignment would Dr. O give him?
His trust weighs heavy in my pocket.
“Are you all right?” he asks one more time before we part ways. His brows are drawn together, his eyes filled with concern.
His worry neutralizes mine.
He wouldn’t give me his trust just to break it. I’ve spent so much time doubting people, I’ve forgotten where to draw the line. This is Caleb—my Caleb, if only in secret. I know him better than anyone. I’ve trusted him with my life.
I would again, if it came to it.
“Yeah,” I say. I kiss his cheek, and his lips relax into a smile. “I’m good.”
CHAPTER 6
The next morning, I wake up late, echoing worries about Grayson and the senator lingering on the edges of my mind. By the time I roll out of bed and go downstairs, Sunday brunch is over. People are either in the pit hanging out or on one of the many couches or chairs in the study, finishing homework for this week.
All except Charlotte, Henry, and Sam, who are waiting in the kitchen in various pajama ensembles, ready to pounce.
“Hey sleepyhead,” says Charlotte with a knowing smirk. “You look tired. Late night?”
My cheeks warm. Last time I saw her she was giving me instructions on how to get on the roof.
“Where’s your boyfriend?” asks Sam, and I nearly choke. No one is supposed to know about my secret status with Caleb, especially those with a direct pipeline back to Dr. O like Ms. Maddox. If she thinks I don’t see her meticulously washing a clean plate at the sink behind Charlotte, she’s wrong.
“I haven’t even met him,” Sam goes on. “He snuck into his room when I was out and hasn’t emerged since.”
Grayson. Not Caleb. Of course that’s who they’re talking about.
Ms. Maddox makes a close inspection of the plate, and then begins scrubbing again.
“I haven’t seen him since you guys went outside,” says Henry, an uncharacteristic frown tugging at his mouth. “I don’t think he likes me. He barely looks at me when I talk to him.” He keeps raking his fingers through his strawberry-blond hair—a nervous tell.
“Who cares if he likes you,” says Charlotte. “I like you and that’s all that matters.” She pets his arm, and he immediately stops with the hair.
“He’s got a lot going on,” I say. “Has anyone seen Caleb?”
“Left early,” Henry says quietly, so even our nosy housekeeper can’t hear. “On a job for Dr. O. A new recruit, I think.”
I nod. Any lingering doubt that Caleb’s assignment is not what he said vanishes and is replaced by a smudge of guilt. I shouldn’t have questioned him. I have his trust, and he has mine.
“I guess I’ll go find our new friend,” I say.
Charlotte gives me a wry salute. “Have fun.”
Before I leave, Sam tugs on my ponytail.
“He gives you any trouble, you know where I am.” He’s smiling, but his deep brown eyes are fierce.
A steadying breath, and mine are, too.
* * *
I’M ON THE landing in front of the staircase to the third floor when I run into Moore. His room is on the opposite side of the residence, and I rarely see him over here unless he’s doing room checks after curfew.
“Where are you going?” he asks flatly.
Girls aren’t normally allowed in the boys’ wing, and vice versa, but I’m guessing they’ll make an exception for me since everyone at school is adjusting their entire life to accommodate Grayson.
“Our honored guest has yet to rise,” I say. “I was going to see if he wants breakfast.”
Moore studies me a moment, dark eyes sharp. He nods once.
“Door open,” he says.
“Yes, sir.”
His gaze pinches at the corners. “Watch yourself with him. Stay public as much as possible. And cell phone on.”
“Did I say yes, sir? I meant, yes, Dad.”
He makes a face like he just caught me eating roadkill.
“Your new job starts tomorrow.”
My shoulders drop. How delightful that I’ve broken out of Devon Park only to work the same kind of minimum-wage, back-busting job Mom’s had all my life. At least the cover shouldn’t be too hard to fake—I know the lingo.
“We’ll leave at three, after class. Dress nicely. I’ll fill you in on the rest in the car.”
I’d look more believable if I could drive myself, rather than have a security guard deliver me in a black SUV. I could take one of the cars from the garage, cruise down the highway. Go wherever I want.
But as I proved with Caleb, I can’t even circle a parking lot without nearly running into someone.
“Okay,” I say, and he motions for me to continue on my path.
Because he doesn’t seem to be leaving, I head up the stairs and turn right, steps leading me over the beige carpet past the white doors. I stop outside Caleb’s room, just across from Henry’s. The first night I came here after Grayson told me about Susan Griffin, I found Caleb awake and waiting, and spent half the night lying beside him in bed, staring at the ceiling and thinking about what I’d done.