Hoax in One

| 03 |

The next morning I threw open my bedroom door. I'd cracked the case while lying in bed staring at the ceiling sober.

"Millicent Anderson!" I yelled into the empty hallway. "Millicent Anderson!" I yelled again into the empty living room.

I'd barge into her room if I had to.

"In here," she said innocently.

I found her exactly where I thought she sounded like she was—with her head in the refrigerator.

"I'm a genius," she commented when I entered the room. She held out a pickle with a dark brown line across it.

I scrunched up my face in horror. "Is that chocolate?!"

"Salty and sweet," she grinned.

"You're disgusting."

"It's the cure for any hangover. I'm going to patent it."

"If you pursue that dream, don't quit soccer." She had momentarily made me forget why I was mad at her. "Is Alice here?" I whispered, leaning on the island.

"No, she slept at Matt's."

"Millie, did you tell Matt that Tate and I were dating?"

She gasped and smiled slyly. "I wouldn't do that."

"What did you do then?" I shot back.

"Quit with the act," she smirked and took a dramatic bite of her pickle. "You looked happy about whatever happened when you came down the stairs."

I rolled my eyes at her. "What'd you tell him?"

"Matt was the one who assumed after seeing you two talking. Tate kissed your head."

"He didn't kiss my head!"

"Sure," Millie said like she didn't believe me. She leaned into me from across the island. "Whatever Tate did, that's what it looked like. And you were looking up at him all googly eyed. If that's how y'all acted in your friendship then whatever—not my business—but for anyone like me and Matt, who have never seen you two as friends, it totally looked like y'all were dating. So when Matt asked me, I simply encouraged him to assume it further." Millie shrugged. "You're welcome."

I waved my hand at her pickle and chocolate breath. "Jesus, Millie," I muttered. "And thanks. Tate said we can just let him go on thinking it because people used to think it all the time."

Millie pinched her eyebrows sarcastically. "I can't imagine why. But seriously, how did you never date that smokeshow?" She lolled her tongue out. "At least jump into bed with him once."

"I know how hot he is, but I don't date golfers and he doesn't want a girlfriend."

More power to girls like Millie who can have one night stands or casual flings. I was way too emotional for that.

"We just got each other," I added. "And I didn't ever want to lose him."

"You did anyway," Millie laughed. "Y'all are total opposites—I love it. So nothing ever happened between you two?"

I fiddled with my hands. "There was... a moment."

That moment I'd actually thought about a lot.

"Mmhmm." Millie's eyes sparkled. "Tell me more."

"Once," I hurried out. "I guess it was a few weeks before sophomore year ended. We were at a Cinco de Mayo party at an apartment across the street from the natatorium. We'd done way too many tequila shots, and Tate had the idea to sneak into it so we could jump off the high dive. Luckily, we found an unlocked door. Tate climbed up first because I wanted to watch him do it. I was close behind him waiting for him to jump, but when he reached the end of the diving board, he sat instead. I gave him a second, but he didn't move, so I walked out and sat beside him. He was looking down at the water, sadder than I've ever seen him."