Can't Afford Mistakes.

Chapter Twenty-six

Sadie.

I sit in the back of the government trying to pay attention to the lecture about nothing that I care about. I stare at Arabella's empty sit next to me. I let out a heavy sigh and try to turn my focus back to my notes. I trace the word "bored" over and over on my paper until I have somehow made a house. My eyes wonder back to Arabella's empty desk and think about where she could be. I'm abruptly drawn out of my thoughts as the teacher drops a pile of papers on my desk.

"Miss. Anderson," she says in a stern tone, "I know that Miss. Greyson's early graduation may directly effect your grade because she is not here to feed you the answers, but please at least try to pay attention to what I have to say."

"Early graduation," I question.

"Yes. Miss. Greyson took her exams early and was mailed her diploma," the teacher says turning on her heel.

I look at Arabella's former seat with confusion. Early graduation? Why wouldn't she tell me that she was going to do that? I pull out my phone and begin to scroll through my contacts until I find Arabella's phone number. I hit the call button and place the phone to my ear.

My heart fills with excitement as the ringing stop but it quickly plummets into my stomach when a robotic voice begins to speak, "We're sorry. The number you are trying to reach has been disconnected." I furiously click the end call button on my phone and shove it back into my pocket. Mrs. Taylor's voice calls my name in order to catch my attention but I ignore her. I stand and walk out of class before I hear Mrs. Taylor's squeaky voice again. My feet continue to carry me downstairs, past the office, outside, and out to the parking lot. I unlock my car and let out a deep sigh as I relax into the driver's seat. 

"Arabella,"I whisper, "where are you?"

I quickly reserve out of my parking space. I make my way towards my house in a rush. Parking my car, I snatch the keys out of the ignition and run towards the front door. My aunt sits on the front porch with a boy who looks about my age with dyed black hair and emerald green eyes. My aunt gives me a soft smile and the boy with raven hair stands up and extends his hand to me.

"I'm Beau. Beau Taylor," he smiles, revealing his perfectly straight white teeth.

"Sadie,"  I reply as I shake his hand. 

"I know," he chuckles.

"Sadie, Beau," my Aunt Maggie says quickly as she stands to her feet, "why don't we go inside and get out of the Virginia heat?"

I nod my head in agreement but keep my distance from the Beau. Aunt Maggie pours me a glass of my favorite tea and coffee for her and Beau. After taking a quick sip from my tea, I dash up to my room to set my school stuff down and change into sweat pants and a cropped t-shirt. Walking back downstairs I overhear Beau and my aunt talking.

"I knew Chris had another kid, but he didn't tell us anything else about you," my aunt's voice says in a whisper.

"He didn't tell me I had a sister until I did some research after his death," Beau says as equally as low. "But I guess this is kind of funny," he adds with a chuckle, "Lucas being a good friend and employee of mine and his twin's best friend is my sister's best friend."

Sister? Lucas works for him? I thought Lucas worked for my father. Is he like Arabella and Lucas? So many question begin to flood my brain that I don't realize that they have stopped talking. I walk down the remainder of the stairs and walk back into the kitchen.

"Sadie, we have something to tell you," Aunt Maggie cautiously says.

"Okay," I say, acting oblivious.

"Beau," Aunt Maggie starts, "is your brother." She watches me tentatively as she tries to gauge my reaction.

"Cool," is all I say with a shrug of my shoulders. The corners of Beau's lips turn upwards.

"That was easier than I thought," Beau laughs. "Do you want to go out to eat? My treat."

"Sure, we can take my car," I say already grabbing my keys. 

"Be careful," Aunt Maggie yells from behind us.

I briskly walk to my car and start it as I wait for Beau to get in. He tells me the address of where he wants to go and I begin to drive in the direction of the restaurant. The ride is silent other than the music the quietly plays in the background. As we pass through town, I begin to think back to when Lucas told me about his past. Lucas was in a gang... one run by my father... but Beau killed him... so does Lucas work for Beau now? And what does he want with me?

"I'll tell you everything you need to know when you need to know it," Beau says calmly as if he was reading my mind. I open my mouth to speak but he answers my question before I'm even sure what I'm going to ask, "No, I'm not like your friends."

I pull my lips into a thin line and nod my head. We arrive to the restaurant in a short amount of time and Beau greets the waitress with a flirtatious smile. We sit down and the same waitress asks what we want for lunch.

"My sister and I will both have chicken salads and two sweet teas," Beau says before I have a chance to look at the menu.

"Okay," the waitress sings before walking off to place our order.

"You didn't give me time to look at the menu," I scoff as the waitress returns with our drinks. 

"You'll survive," Beau says after thanking the waitress for our drinks, "Anyways, I need your help."

"Why should I help you," I ask, "I just met you."

"You sound just like Arabella when I asked her to help me," he laughs as he sips his drink. My eyebrows perk up at the mention of my best friend's name. Why would he ask Arabella for her help and how does he know her? Something's giving me a sketchy vibe about him.

"How do you know Arabella," I ask, squinting my eyes at him.

Beau leans back in his chair and puts his arms behind his head, "Her twin, Lucas, used to work for me."

"Lucas used to be in a gang," I continue to press, "so you lead the gang after you killed our father."

Beau lets out a hearty laugh. How is laughing at the severity of the situation? "You think I killed dad? Sadie, I've heard a lot of things about you but stupid was never was one of them"

"Excuse me," I ask as I arch my eyebrow.

"Whatever Lucas told you a couple weeks ago about me was more than likely not true," Beau says leaning forward to rest his elbows on the table, "but he is right about me hating our dad."

"Just tell me what you want," I confess, tried of his games. Our food comes and I stab at my lettuce with no intention of eating it.

"What if i told you your mom wasn't dead," he asks as he lifts his fork to his mouth. 

My attack on my salad ceases and my mouth drops, "What?"

"I could help you find your mom," Beau teases, "but I need your help getting rid of your friends."

Heeeyy Guyss! Long time no see. Short Chapter for now bc Anne convinced me to update and plus I haven't updated in forever soo I hope y'all enjoy!

Love ya ! <3