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It only took one fateful trip to the break room for everything to change. As I refilled my water bottle, one of the office jerks told me the coffee machine was out of filters. Instead of getting them from the stock room that was right next door, they insisted it was my job. As the receptionist, I pointed out that it was, in fact, not one of my responsibilities. Another one made a comment about women remembering their place. I added his name to my list and went to the stockroom around the corner.
That’s when I heard Matt enter and complain about Robert returning to the office the next week. I pulled out my phone and began recording the conversation, just in case, and things took an unexpected turn. Matt kept complaining about him taking the position he felt he deserved. One of the guys that demanded the supplies agreed Matt should have it after all the effort he went through. They laughed, and Matt said the damning words, “I knew I should have paid more to put him in the ground instead of just beaten up. Next time, I’ll pay for the upgrade.”
It took nearly ten minutes for my heart rate to return to a normal range. I sent the recording to Daniel. The hardest thing I might have ever done was grab the stupid coffee filters and head back into the break room like things were completely normal. I ignored the men and ran to Sky’s desk to tell him what I had and that we needed to leave.
Daniel was waiting for us when we exited the building and drove us home before anyone in the office even realized we were gone.
“The council sends their appreciation, and there’s no way I’ll ever be able to thank you for what you did.” Robert gave his son a side hug and smiled at me. “Either of you.”
“I’m just glad we could help,” I replied.
“Yeah, it was a relief to feel like I was actually doing something to help,” Sky admitted. “I’m glad it's behind us.”
Robert agreed. “There will likely be a trial, but you two won’t have to be involved.”
That was good news. I didn’t want to be included in this any more than I already was. It was too real. Too scary. The day after Matt’s admission, the weight of the realization we’d been around the person behind Robert’s assault without knowing was overwhelming. It made me physically ill. Tessa and Daniel agreed to let me and Sky stay home for the rest of the week, but now, it was time to go back to normal life. I was more than ready to leave the mission behind, even if it meant going to school.
“Is everything okay?” Luca asked once we rejoined the group.
“Yeah, they made the arrest,” Sky explained.
The guys were as relieved as we were for this nightmare to end finally.
“Hey, guys.” CeeCee walked up with Gwyneth at her side. They’d come with their parents, and it was the first time we’d all been together in person since the day at the park. I’d texted them a few times and felt more comfortable with them. It probably helped that I had horrible expectations before meeting them. Since they turned out to be way nicer and accepting than I was prepared for, I was excited to see them again.
“Hey.” I returned their smiles.
“Your mom mentioned she would turn on the hot tub if we wanted to go out back,” Gwyneth said to Noah.
He glanced around. “Are Cynthia and Trevor distracted? I don’t want them to come out too.”
“It’s okay if they do,” I started, but all the guys turned at once.
“No,” they said almost simultaneously.
I reared back. “Geez. Okay.”
“Sorry, it’s just Cynthia walks in circles like a screaming cyclone nonstop, and Trevor splashes everyone until you just want to punch him.” Noah grimaced. “I end up snapping at them, Cynthia runs to our mom crying, and I end up in trouble.”
Gavin nodded. “It’s never not happened.”
I share a look with the girls, and CeeCee shrugged. “Cynthia is playing with my little sister in her room, and I saw Trevor watching a movie with some of the other kids.”
That seemed to be all the guys needed to hear.
“Let’s go change,” Sky said before turning and heading up the stairs.
“I didn’t bring a suit,” I told the girls. “I didn't know I was supposed to.”
“Don’t worry. I always keep a few in my car,” Gwyneth said. “Come on.”
We went outside, and she led us to her trunk. She popped it open and reached in. “Here’s yours.” She handed a neon pink bikini to CeeCee.
“Thanks.” She balled it up.
“I have this one or this one.” Gwyneth held up a tiny lump of black string in one hand and a navy, paisley-printed ball in the other. Neither of them looked like they would cover much of anything. Gwyneth was an inch or two taller than I was and willowy where I had more curves. I’d probably spill out of either.
“Wear this one.” CeeCee pointed to the navy option. “You can adjust the straps more. The black one is a bandeau.”
