Page 51
“Which should’ve meant something good.”
“To some people.”
His mouth twists. “I already had a reputation. Got into fights when I was younger. Brody knew exactly what story to tell.”
“But there were three of them.”
“Three men telling the same lie.”
My stomach turns.
“And one of me.”
“What happened?”
“Plea deal.”
“You pleaded guilty?”
“Manslaughter. My lawyer said if the jury believed Brody, I could lose years.”
His gaze drops.
“I took eighteen months.”
I stare at him. “You went to jail for something you didn’t do.”
“County.”
“Dane.”
“Eighteen months.” He says it like that makes it smaller.
“What happened after?”
“Came home.”
“And Brody?”
“Left town.”
“That’s it?”
“Pretty much.”
“You never tried to clear your name?”
“With what?”
“The truth.”
His laugh is bitter. “Truth needs evidence.”
I hate that answer.
I hate Brody.
I hate everyone who ever whispered that stupid nickname.
