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BRYNN
Jace and Teagan flankme on the couch and my parents sit across from us in stunned silence. Mom glances at me through watery eyes, her cheeks wet from crying while I explained everything. My father hands her a tissue, his face pinched. I wonder if he’s thinking about dragging Knox back to the house to finish what Jace and Teagan started.
Mom reaches out and takes my free hand while Jace holds onto the other. “I wish you’d told us. You know we would’ve helped you. We could’ve been there. I suspected something happened, but never in a million years—” Her words choke on a sob.
“Mom,” I squeeze her hand. “It’s not your fault you weren’t there for me. I should’ve told you. I wish I would have now, but . . .” I swallow, searching for the right words to explain myself so I can put her at ease. “Afterward, I was scared and . . . ashamed about a lot of things. I put myself in a really bad situation that could’ve ended a whole lot worse, for one. And Iguess I thought if I shoved it down, it might go away. Then, when I told Teagan, it was enough to get me by, so I just dealt with it the only way I could. I’m sorry.”
She glances at my father, her eyes frantically searching his face. “What do we do now?”
My stomach clenches with the question because all I want is for this nightmare to be over. I faced Knox. I got closure, and even if I wanted him to pay, I’m not foolish enough to think there might be any viable legal recourse we can take. Even if they found Knox guilty, he was a minor at the time. He’d get a slap on the wrist for an assault charge. It’s certainly not worth dragging my story into the local media and reliving the whole nightmare over again.
My dad sighs, his hands fisting on his lap. “Maybe we should ask Brynn what she wants?”
I straighten, glancing at the two boys beside me. The warm hazel of Teagan’s gaze burns through me, waiting, while the languid blue of Jace’s anchors me. Both give me the strength I need. “I want to enjoy the last week of break, then go back to school in the fall with my boyfriend,” I say as Jace squeezes my hand. “I’d like to live my life without this hanging over my head for once, and I finally feel like I can do that.”
I inhale a ragged breath. “It’s over,” I say, realizing for the first time it’s true. “For so long, I kept holding onto what happened as some sort of reminder not to drop my guard, to be careful, and to learn from my mistakes while rebuilding my life. But I’m done doing that. I’ve rebuilt my life already. I’ve stopped being angry and scared all the time, and now I just want tolive. I want to put this in the past where it belongs. I don’t want to rake his name through the mud only to suffer alongside him.”
Mom’s forehead creases. I can tell she wants more, but I also know even if we pursue anything, she won’t get it.
Beside me, Teagan wraps an arm around my shoulders. “Knox lost his friends and his dignity today,” he tells me, shrugging his shoulders. “Let’s leave it at that.”
Mom drags in a breath before both her and my father rise to their feet and cross the rug to draw me in for a hug. I stand there for what feels like an eternity, letting them hold me, knowing they need it more than I do. I’ve had years to cope with the resulting trauma from that night while they’ve only had minutes.
“Well, now that the party is over and everyone went home, can we all have supper together?” Mom asks, wiping at her still-damp cheeks. “I’ll order in.”
I bite my lip and glance up at Jace. Though I wanted to be alone with him, I know my parents need to be near me right now, so they can see me protected and laughing and happy. And it’s the least I can do after keeping this secret. “Jace?” I ask.
“Of course.” His eyes soften before he glances up at my parents. “But if we watch a movie after, and I know we will, I’m picking.”
“Uh, not so fast,” I say, chiming in. “We need something uplifting, not an action flick where half the cast dies or they’re running for their lives.”
“Um, you just lived a chick flick,” he says, motioning to the French doors that lead to the backyard. “What more could you want? A little action and violence sound amazing right now.”
“I’m with Jace,” Teagan chimes in.
“I’ll third that,” Dad says.
My mouth drops open and I glance between the three of them. “So this is how it’s gonna be now? You guys all ganging up on me?”
Teagan shrugs. “You, Mom, and the girls used to have the numbers, but it’s equal ground now.”
“Um, there’s still four of us girls and three guys.”
“But Sabel and Trista don’t count ‘cos they’ll be in bed,” Jace argues.
“I can’t believe this,” I say as Jace wraps his arms around me. “You’re supposed to side with me.”
Behind us Teagan groans. “Guys, seriously. No PDA. The sappy little scene in the backyard was enough to last a lifetime. Give a guy a break, will ya?”
I laugh, catching Mom’s smile as she beams over at us with fresh tears in her eyes, glancing between her children.
I know that smile, and I know the sparkle in her eyes.
Just like I know she’s right.
I’m damn lucky to have both of them.
JACE
