Free Transparent by Natalie Whipple Page B

worry finally creasing his brow. “I only said that for Mom, since she believes it completely. I couldn’t kill her hope—she’s doing so much better than I’ve ever seen. She almost has a soul again.”
    I bite my lip. Mom has been more …
something
, lately. I’m not sure if it’s better or not.
    “She said he gave her the money to buy a place, told her to run when the time was right and call him when she felt like she had her head on straight. Or straighter, at least. He said he’s coming every weekend to check on you guys, make sure you’re ‘safe.’” Miles makes air quotes, his skepticism completely apparent now.
    I lean on my dresser, weak at the thought of Graham coming back. “You’re kidding.”
    “I wish. Don’t worry, though. I’ll switch my work schedule around so I have weekends off. I promise I’ll be here, too.”
    “But—”
    He holds up a hand. “I know you want to keep me safe, sis, and I appreciate it. But you let me go to school without feeling guilty, so it’s my turn to watch out for you. Whatever Graham’s motive, this is seriously the best chance you’ve ever had to escape.”
    I know he’s right, but it’s still a huge risk. Miles will pay for this, one way or another. “Are you sure?”
    He scratches his head. “Not really, but if we play along, maybe Graham will get careless.”
    I sit next to him. “Then we can find out why he’s doing this.”
    “Precisely.”

Chapter 12
    After my stay in the desert, parking in front of the school is surreal. I didn’t think I’d make it back, and I’m surprised by how nice it is to be here. As I walk though the halls, people stare like usual, but it doesn’t bother me as much. They don’t matter. I have to find Bea and tell her I’m okay.
    “Fiona!” Before I turn around, Bea slams into my back, nearly knocking me over.
    “Hi?”
    “She might have been a little worried about you.” Brady comes into view, as gorgeous as ever in a green T-shirt. He pulls at Bea’s arms, grazing my skin in the process. “Trixy, let the girl breathe.”
    She lets go. “I was starting to think we’d never see you again, and after all that work just to get you to talk to me.”
    I turn the dial on my locker. “I’m guessing you guys were behind the food. It was a lifesaver, thanks.”
    “No problem,” Brady says. “I run in the desert all the time.”
    I sigh. “So I figure you guys know I’m not with my dad?”
    He nods.
    “I know it’s a lot to ask, but you have to keep quiet about it. If the wrong people found out …”
    Bea smiles a Trixy grin, her eyes lighting up. Brady laughs as he puts one heavy hand on my shoulder, coming close to whisper. “Don’t worry about that. We have it all taken care of.”
    I get fluttery all over being so close to him. “What?”
    Bea shrugs. “We might have implied you were visiting your beloved father.”
    “We might have also implied that he’ll visit if he hears about anyone being mean to you. That put the fear in everyone, so I think you’ll be fine.” Brady’s smile dazzles me almost as much as his words.
    I can’t find a description for this feeling in my chest. The food was amazing enough, but putting together a cover for me? “I can’t believe you guys would—”
    “Believe it, chica.” Bea punches my shoulder. “Don’t think this got you out of movie night, either.”
    “Oh yeah, Friday’s tomorrow, huh?” I’d forgotten with all the Graham drama. “Sure.”
    “I’ll pick you up, if you want,” Brady says as the bell rings.
    “Okay. That’d be great.” I’m glad neither of them can see how hard I blush. That’s another great thing about being invisible: I can crush all I want and no one will ever notice. “I guess I’d better get to home ec.”
    “See you at lunch?” Bea asks.
    I pause, the truth harder to say than I thought it’d be. But they’ve more than earned it by now. “Um, I email my brother Miles at lunch. It’s the only time I