Chapter 77
Maple
@TommyInfluenza, TikTok
I’ve checked, and Maple has never tagged Coco in any of her posts. Think about it, people! That’s supposed to be her bestie. I guess Coco’s numbers have never been good enough for Princess Maple.
‘Shit, babe, this is crazy,’ she says, her serious voice making the words sound worse.
I close my eyes. ‘I need to do this, Coco. For every girl who’s been abused. For girls like Sophie Lyle.’
‘But what do you even know about this Brandon guy?’ she continues. ‘I don’t want to sound like I’m judging you, or telling you what to do, but his story about Ella might be complete bullshit. If he’s really a pedo on the hunt, what then?’
‘He isn’t,’ I say, mainly because I need to hear it.
‘And my instincts feel so strong on this. I’m certain he’s a good guy, that he wants to help.
And you’ve always believed in trusting your instincts, haven’t you?
Like that neighbor of Sophie’s you interviewed, how you were pissed off that the police didn’t take any notice of her gut feeling about that guy hanging around. ’
‘Why do you keep bringing up Sophie?’ Coco asks, her voice quieter now. ‘It’s almost like you’re using her tragedy as currency to win your argument.’
Shame spreads across my cheeks. Because am I doing that? It’s the exact thing my mom would do. ‘No, I’m not. It’s just …’
‘Although, maybe it’s right to talk about her,’ Coco interrupts. ‘Because Sophie’s murder shows exactly what men are capable of.’
‘Some men,’ I point out. ‘Most men are good, like most people are.’ God, I want to believe it. Believe there are more Dylans out there than men who give children chocolates, or demand selfies, or stare grossly, or watch child porn.
‘I’m scared you’re wrong’ Coco says.
‘Listen, I get why you lowkey hate all men,’ I say quietly.
‘Because the man who killed Sophie really is evil, and he’s always front of mind for you.
But that doesn’t mean Brandon is going to do the same to me.
I have to think there are good men out there too, and that I’m smart enough to know the difference. ’
‘But it’s so risky.’
‘It’s brave. And that’s what you called me.’
I listen to her sigh heavily. ‘You’re going to do this, aren’t you,’ she says. ‘Whatever I say, you’re still going to go.’
‘I promise I’ll keep in touch,’ I say, like some crap peace offering. ‘How about I message you every hour, tell you what’s going on?’
‘And what am I supposed to do if the messages stop? I’m in Miami; that’s over two thousand miles from Vegas.’
‘The messages won’t stop,’ I say.
‘For fuck’s sake, Maple! Come on!’
‘Okay, okay,’ I mutter. ‘Well, if you think I’m in trouble, you can call my parents.’ The man she calls Dad is just some schmuck who fell for her pregnant mom’s fake charm! ‘Actually no, not them,’ I continue. ‘But you could tell Dylan. Or even call the police. There are loads of options.’
‘So you get to do this massively reckless, possibly heroic but probably dangerous thing, but it’s my responsibility to save you.’
‘I didn’t mean it like that.’
‘And what if I can’t?’ Coco continues, her voice sounding desperate now. ‘And then I have to live with that for the rest of my life? It’ll be hell; I know it. And that’s not fair, babe.’ Her voice cracks, and she sucks in a breath like she’s trying not to cry.
I think about Coco’s obsession with finding Sophie Lyle’s killer.
I wish I’d asked more about why she’s doing it.
But not now. I can’t risk it knocking me off course now.
‘Listen to me,’ I say, trying to sound like an adult.
‘This is not on you. You’ve told me not to go, and I’ve ignored you.
Whatever happens to me, you did your best to stop it, okay? ’
‘But, Maple,’ she breathes.
‘Okay?’ I repeat, like a parent might.
‘I guess so,’ she finally murmurs, defeated.
‘And I will be fine,’ I say. ‘I promise.’
‘You know, I wish I believed in God,’ she says. ‘Because then I could pray for you.’
I bite my lip, close my eyes. ‘You know what, pray anyway.’