Page 72 of Just Business

Suddenly Josie gasps. “Wait.” Her eyes go wide as she looks at me. “Remember there was that one woman at the River Fest. When you and Austin went to dance, Liam and I were making bets about you two, remember? Do you think it was her? These days it doesn’t take much to figure out a person’s whole life story.”

I’m turning this thought over in my head when Abby steps into the room. Her eyes are red and puffy, and it's obvious she’s been crying for a while. Her face is splotchy and a heavy cloud of despair seems to hang over her.

“What’s the matter, sweet girl?” Josie asks, cocking her head at the palpable misery swirling around Abby.

Fresh tears spill down Abby's cheeks as her words tumble out in a rush, making it difficult to understand her. “I—I overheard you guys talking,” she says between sobs. “It was me. I took a picture of them that day at the festival and used it in my Snapchat streaks the other day. I didn’t think it would be a big deal. But then all these people I didn’t even know started taking screenshots of it, and I knew I’d messed up. I didn’t know what to do.”

We all sit there stunned, wearing matching shocked expressions. Never in a million years would I have guessed the photo came from Abby.

Josie is quiet beside me, but she finally speaks, her voice tinged with barely contained anger. “Abigail Nicole, you know we don’t do that here.” Her words are slow and deliberate. “What on earth possessed you to do something like this?”

Abby lets out a sigh, too weary for a girl her age. “Samantha and Kayley have been doing things without me. They’re constantly leaving me out lately. I told them I could introduce them to Austin. They didn’t believe me, so I snapped it.”

I glance over at Josie, still seething with anger, so I speak up before she can. “I remember doing some pretty stupid stuff when I was your age, too.”

Josie shoots me a glare, but I silently urge her to let me handle it. I pat the seat beside me on the floor and Abby plops down next to me. Smudge runs over from his dog bed and jumps up on her lap.

“Start from the beginning. Tell us what happened.” I focus my attention on Abby, deliberately ignoring Josie. The two of them have been like oil and water lately.

Abby takes a shaky breath before launching into her story. “It’s been going on all summer. They went to the beach together and didn’t invite me. Kayley said I couldn’t afford it.” She cuts her eyes at her mom, and I watch as Josie visibly shrinks in on herself. “So ever since they went to the beach, they’ve been doing everything together and they don’t include me. They post their pics on Snapchat all the time. They’re constantly together. I’ve asked them to hang out and they always have some stupid excuse.”

“Abby, honey, why didn’t you tell me this was going on?” Josie asks, scooting closer to where Abby is seated.

She gives a one-armed shrug. “So when I heard he was here, I told them if they’d come over I’d introduce them to Austin. They didn’t believe me. Once I saw the two of you together I took the picture.”

A fresh wave of tears spills over as she lifts the phone, holding it out for us to see. It’s definitely the one that the tabloid has. She must have taken the photo right after Austin bought me the necklace. He’s leaning down with his lips pressed to the side of my head.

We lookhappy.

I unlock my phone and scroll to Tyler’s contact. I need to let him know all of this so he and Kate can stay on top of things.

Hey Tyler, it's Penny. I know who took the photo. It’s a really long story, but you and Kate can end your investigation. Let’s just say it was an innocent teenager here trying to impress her frenemies.

Tyler

Kate had about tracked it back to someone in Singing River. She’s trying to get it taken down, but I doubt that’ll happen. Anyway, thanks for letting me know. You and Austin ok?

I think so. I’m at my friend’s house, but when I left he seemed ok. Just very pissed. I’m texting him next.

Tyler

Thanks. Take Care.

Next, I scroll to my text thread with Austin.

Hey, I just talked to Tyler, and I’ll tell you more when I get home. I’ll be here late. I think everything will be ok, though.

The three dots appear and disappear several times and then vanish altogether, so I slip my phone back in my pocket. I assume he’s probably busy talking to Kate.

“Ladies, why don’t we have a girls’ night,” Lisa says. “I’ll call Greg to see if he can come pick up Jay. They can swim and watch some baseball or something,”

All eyes turn to me.

“You up for it?” Josie asks.

I hesitate, thinking of Austin and the ticking clock that is our time together, but I nod my head anyway.

“Jay Jay!” Josie calls out.

---