Page 22 of The Glittering Edge

Corey turns to leave, his heart pounding so hard he can feel the pulse in his neck. The Barrions can’t give anyone a reason to connect them to the accident, so he has to get out of here. He bumps into the bedside table, knocking off a tray with lip balm and a hairbrush. They all clatter to the floor, much too loud.

Corey can’t stop to pick them up. He doesn’t have time.

Corey leaves the room, moving fast but not quite running. When a nurse tells him visiting hours are over, he smiles and says he’s on his way out. He reaches the elevators, clicks the button. The elevator arrives. Corey steps inside—

And that’s when he remembers his car keys are in the hospital room. On the chair, along with the flowers that were his alibi.

His stomach drops so fast he’s almost nauseous. “Fuck,” he curses, and this time he runs, sending up silent thanks to the universe when he doesn’t cross paths with any hospital staff. All the while, his eyes are darting around for Penny, Naomi, or Ron Willis, but there’s nobody.

Corey makes it back. He grabs his keys, leaving the flowers in a heap. His feet are already pivoting, and he’s almost at the door—

A figure appears on the threshold, backlit by the lights.The Shadow, Corey thinks, but this figure is too short, and they have wild, curly hair.

“Corey?” Penny Emberly says.

She steps closer, coming into focus. One shoulder of her cardigan is hanging off, and her fair skin is blotchy from crying. Even in the dim light of the room, Penny’s eyes are a striking blue. He’s never noticed their color before, and in his panic, it’s all he can think about: her eyes, seeing Corey in her mom’s hospital room; her eyes, wide with confusion and fear.

He should’ve hidden the necklace under Anita Emberly’s hospital gown. Already, Penny is looking at her mom, and her gaze falls on the ward.

“Don’t take it off.”

Penny gapes at him like she doesn’t understand. Why would she? Corey barrels on anyway.

“Make sure the necklace stays on her. Don’t let the nurses take it off.”

Corey doesn’t hear whatever she says next. He’s already brushing past her, walking toward the elevators. He needs to get as far away from Penny as he can, as quickly as possible. Even if it’s too late. Even if she won’t forget about this.

Corey hears her call his name as the elevator doors slide shut. When they open, he runs for the hospital’s front doors, no longer caring who sees him. He bursts into the parking lot and he’s halfway to his car when he hears Penny’s voice again.

“Corey!”

His feet stop. Damn them, they won’t move.

Penny stands behind him, breathing hard. She must’ve taken the stairs.

“What are you doing here?” Penny says.

Corey swallows. “I was bringing your mom flowers.”

“Why?”

“Because I heard what happened.”

“Who told you?” Penny’s eyes cut away from him, as if she’s steeling herself for whatever she’s going to say next. “Was it your aunt?”

The summer night turns cold.

“They were seeing each other, weren’t they?” Penny says. “Your aunt and my mom?”

The lie comes fast. “What? No—”

“And she was there today, at the lake?”

“No.”

Penny’s hands become fists at her sides. Her voice is barely louder than a whisper as she says, “The doctor told me your aunt was there.”

Corey has never heard Penny speak this many words in his entire life. She’s never even been on Corey’s radar before today. To him, she barely existed.

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