Free The Best Friend by Melody Carlson Page A

helping her climb over a railing, he guided her onto a low, sloped roof. They both climbed down a trellis, and with him holding her hand, they streaked across a dark side yard, through an opening in the hedge, and out onto the dark street.
    â€œJust keep walking like we’re out for a nice evening stroll,” he calmly told her as he continued to hold her hand. “No big deal.”
    â€œWorks for me,” she said in relief. Her heart was still pounding, but the truth was, this was the most fun she’d had all night.
    â€œAre you hungry?” he asked when they reached a corner with a bus stop.
    â€œCome to think of it, I am.”
    So they waited for the bus, rode it into town, and ordered a late dinner at a little Mexican café. Lishia couldn’t believe how relaxed she felt around Todd now. It was as if they’d been friends for ages. Maybe that happens when you elude the police together. She shuddered to think of the trouble she’d narrowly avoided tonight. But then, like she was getting so good at, she decided to block that out too. Stay in the moment , she told herself. Enjoy this! So she did, eating and laughing and making jokes about the party getting crashed by the cops.
    â€œOkay, tell me the truth,” she said finally. “Isn’t this better than getting totally wasted and watching all your friends acting like idiots?” She stuck her spoon into the custard flan they were sharing for dessert and smiled.
    He nodded. “Now I just have to think of some kind of explanation for the cops. I’m sure they’ll want to question me . . . eventually.”
    â€œYou could always tell them that it was a surprise party,” she teased.
    â€œThat’s it!” he declared. “You’re a genius, Lishia. I’ll say it was a surprise party, and when I saw it was getting out of control, I decided to split.”
    â€œYou’re really going to lie to the police?” She tried to conceal her disappointment. After all, she’d practically suggested it. Still, she had this old-fashioned longing for Todd to be a stand-up kind of guy, to own up to his mistakes. Of course, that would get him into trouble. Might even get her into trouble. Perhaps he was right.
    â€œIt’s not completely a lie,” he said. “I mean, it was originally going to be a surprise party. It was actually Tyler and Dayton’s idea to throw this little gig in the first place. When they heard my folks were out of town, they decided to do it at my place. I went along with it.”
    She nodded.
    â€œAnd who knows, maybe the cops won’t ask. Especially since I’m nowhere to be found.”
    Lishia tried to appear in agreement, but some of the magic was wearing off. Not only that, but now she remembered that she was supposed to spend the night at Riley’s house. But what if Riley was in jail now? Where would she stay? What would she tell her parents if she had to come home? She decided to try Riley’s cell.
    â€œHey,” Riley said cheerfully, like nothing was wrong.
    â€œDid you get busted?”
    Riley laughed. “Nah. Dayton and I made our exit long before the cops arrived. Then I drove him over to my place. We’ve been hanging here while my parents are still at their movie. What about you? Are you in jail?”
    â€œNo, of course not.” Lishia shuddered to imagine how that would’ve felt—to be making a phone call from the police station. She didn’t even want to think about it. Instead she explained how they’d gotten away and where she and Todd had landed, and the four agreed to meet up at Riley’s, where Riley said they’d continue to party. Lishia wasn’t too sure what she thought about that idea, but shortly after they arrived, Riley’s parents got home, and it seemed a good time for the guys to call it a night.
    â€œWhat a bizarre evening,” Lishia told Riley after they were back in