Dirty Little Liars by Missy Lynn Ryan Page B

But clearly she was wrong.
    She waited for Courtney to say something but there was only silence. When she looked over at Courtney the expression on her face said it all. She was pissed. Beyond pissed.
    “It’s not what you think,” Juliette said. Her instinct was simply to keep Courtney from strangling her. “That photo was taken out of context.”
    “That’s you and Tyler, right?”
    “Yes, but please believe me. Nothing happened.” Juliette didn’t know why she said it. It was just that every instinct in her was telling her to lie. Deny, deny, deny.
    “You didn’t say Senator Chase was at the motel with you.”
    Uh-oh. She was using Tyler’s full title. That was a bad sign. And what did she say? The truth was awful.
    “Yes. Tyler was there. But it is not what you think.”
    “Then tell me what I should think, because that picture raises a shit load of questions.”
    Juliette couldn’t meet her eyes. They were fiery and dangerous as if they could rip her apart with one cold glare. She was prepared for this. She practiced the story a million times in her head. But now she struggled to get the words out. She wasn’t stupid enough to believe that the conversation would never come up, but she hadn’t expected a photo to make its way into the evidence piled against her.
    “I have diabetes,” Juliette spat out. Please, God, let this work.
    “What does that have to do with anything?” Courtney’s eyes scanned Juliette up and down, as if looking for a diabetes label branded on her skin.
    “I’ve had it since I was a little girl. I take insulin shots twice a day.”
    “I’ve never seen you take a shot.”
    “That’s because I prefer to keep it quiet. People get uncomfortable when you pull out a needle and shoot up in front of them, even if it is for a completely legitimate reason.”
    Juliette raised the corner of her shirt to reveal the tiny scar marks on her stomach. The marks were real, but they weren’t from insulin. Juliette used a sterile needle, saline solution, and makeup to create the effect of old marks on her skin. At the time she had been convinced she was just being overly paranoid. But now she was grateful she took the extra steps. The needle marks sold the idea of Juliette as a diabetic.
    “So what does your diabetes have to do with the photo?”
    “We got lost during the storm. The SUV was stuck in the mud and we abandoned the vehicle near the flooded-out road. It was a stupid mistake. Carrying insulin with you at all times is like the first thing they teach you when you’re diagnosed. But I left it in the cubby on the side of the passenger door.”
    Courtney’s face softened, but only slightly.
    “Tyler and I hiked to the motel, but it took hours. And with no food my blood sugar dropped. I got sick and was incredibly embarrassed. Ty was amazing. He got me a room and some hot food. He stayed by my side to make sure I was okay. He’s such a good guy, Courtney. He even promised to keep my secret.
    “That picture was taken right before Melissa picked us up. I was tired and grateful for all that he had done. It was a completely platonic hug, nothing more. A thank-you.”
    There was a light buzzing sound from the coffee table. Courtney slid over to glance at her phone. “It’s not me.” She eyed Juliette’s bag. Juliette pulled the phone out of the side pocket and stared at the screen.
    Tyler Chase. She probably should have deleted his number. That would have been a smart move.
    “I don’t have to answer it.”
    Courtney folded her arms over her chest. “Yes you do. Clearly he wants to talk to you more than he does me.”
    The phone buzzed again and Juliette was tempted to hit decline.
    But Courtney’s voice lashed out at her. “Answer it,” she demanded. “Now.”
    Juliette swiped the screen and raised the phone to her ear.

Chapter 16: Spin City
    The voice that greeted Juliette was filled with worry. “I just got a zillion text messages about a photo that’s leaked to the