Looking at the ceiling, Tank totally changes the subject and goes, “She’s wearing bikinis now, Zach. My sister is actually wearing a bikini. I saw it when we pulled in this morning.” He shakes his head. “That’s just wrong, man.” He grabs the bottle from me and takes a long pull. “I saw something else when we came home this morning, too.”

“Like what?”

“Like you.”

In full liar’s mode, I don’t miss a beat, holding his gaze and saying, “Yeah, I came over looking for you, and when I went around back, I happened to run into Sarah.”

“So why the hell did you take off like a jackrabbit when we pulled in?”

“I don’t know. I was kind of freaked out, I guess. I didn’t want you to get the wrong idea.”

Tank studies me. I study him, two best friends lying through their teeth about some major issues.

“Are you up to something with my sister, Zach?”

“What? Hell no, Tank. Come on, you know me better than that. Besides, she’s only seventeen.”

“So are you, idiot.”

“You know what I mean. I swear, nothing’s going on.”

“I hope not, because I remember what you said at the railroad tracks. The crack about being in love with her? I sure as hell hope you were joking.”

“I was. I’m not in love with Sarah, okay? Don’t worry about it.” I stand, trying to add a little emotion to the act. “That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard, me having something for your sister.”

He takes a deep breath and leans back into the blue cushions.

“Good answer, because if you ever do so much as hold her hand … well, I’ll hurt you, Zach, and I won’t think twice about it.” He makes a pained face and closes his eyes. “God, if she just could’ve stayed an ugly, greasy-haired, brace-face … man, she’d be so much easier to deal with.”

“Look at it this way,” I say, trying to counsel him. “You can pretty much keep a constant eye on her our entire senior year.”

“Yeah,” he says, his spirits suddenly lifting. “And I’ll tell you one thing. If she does go out with a guy, the dude better be Mr. Perfect.”

“Hey,” I say, desperately wanting another change of subject. “You want a smoke?”

“Yeah, we can go behind the garage, but I have to show you something first.” He stands. “It’s upstairs.”

As we head up the stairs, it’s as if I can feel the heavy weight of all these dueling secrets and lies, pressing harder down upon me with every step.

Chapter_14

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