Page 178 of Top Shelf

As though she gets it, Dylan simply nods. Shifting on the sofa, she moves to pull me into a hug.

“I think you do whatever is right for you. If that’s getting his kneecaps smashed in, then I’m your girl. If it’s going to the police, then I’ll be right there with you. If it’s putting all of this behind you and moving forward with your life, then I’m here for that too.” She squeezes me closer. “Whatever it is you do, it has to beyourchoice.”

Hours later, the movie has long since ended. Dylan is asleep beside me, one arm hanging off the couch.

I haven’t been able to sleep yet, too busy replaying her words over in my mind, trying to figure out whatIwant. WhatIneed.

I pull a blanket over her before settling back against the cushions and looking around the apartment. I smile to myself. Dylan hasn’t changed a damn thing.

Once upon a time, this apartment felt like my whole world. It was the only place I felt safe. Where I still felt likeme. Now, that safety is no longer tied to a place. It’s tied to people.

Coming back to BSU doesn’t hurt the way I thought it would.

The memories are still here. The ghosts too. But they no longer own me, and maybe they haven’t for a while.

That knowledge…that’s what makes the decision for me.

With the first hints of dawn creeping across the sky, I let myself out of the apartment. The street is empty, washed pale beneath the early morning light. I shove my hands into the pockets of Lucian’s hoodie and walk aimlessly for a few minutes, letting the cold air clear my head.

Then I pull out my phone.

For a second, I simply stare at my father’s contact. My thumb hovers over his name before I press call.

“What the hell was your boyfriend thinking?!” my father yells the second he answers.

I close my eyes.Some things never change.

“Assaulting a teammate in the middle of a championship game. It’s all over the news and social media. Half the league is talking about what happened last night. The board is furious. I’ve been taking calls all night, people demanding I rip up his contract, and you know what? I have half a mind to do exactly that!”

A strange calm settles over me. For once, I don’t feel defensive. I don’t feel angry. I’m just tired.

“Dad.”

Despite the fact that he never seems to be listening to me, something in my voice must register, because he immediately stops talking.

The silence stretches.

I swallow hard. My throat feels tight.

“Lucian wasn’t attacking a teammate.”

Confusion enters his voice immediately.

“What are you talking about?”

I stare out across the empty street.

“He was defending me.”

My father lets out a short laugh. It’s not an amused sound, but one of disbelief. He sounds exasperated when he snaps, “Defending you from what?”

I close my eyes. My dad is the last one I want to be having this conversation with, but despite my last name, I don’t have the power he has. I can’t do what I need him to do.

It might be pointless to go after Isaac legally, but I can still hit him where it hurts.

“Isaac Evans.”

“You’re not making any sense,” he barks irritably. “I don’t have time for this nonsensical babble.”