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She smiled softly. “Therapy isn’t a bad thing, Thatcher. And don’t worry. It’s not because I was abused or anything like that. I just…felt like I lost my way and now I have a second chance to do something good. That’s all I’m doing. Trying to do something good with my life.”
We pulled into the empty lot that was normally packed. Today there was only a handful of bikes off to the side, probably all the people that were at the graduation ceremony.
“Looks like the party started without us,” Thatcher said as we climbed out of the car.
He wasn’t wrong. The base was so powerful, it threatened to knock me over.
Beck and Jonah walked toward us as Rhys stared down at the steering wheel. Then his lips moved. He must have been on the phone.
“Is everything okay?” I asked, not pulling my gaze from Rhys.
“Yeah…” Beck drew out. “I don’t know. We have two options. We could wait here for Rhys or go inside and let him find us when he’s ready.” He exchanged a look with Jonah.
“That’s not cryptic at all.” Thatcher shoved his hands in his slacks.
“George McDuffy called as we pulled in. It sounded important.” Jonah cast a glance over his shoulder before turning back around.
“I’ll see you guys inside,” Trinity said as she waved. It was kind of an awkward movement for her, but I got it. This probably seemed too intense of a conversation for her.
“I—” Thatcher started, but Rhys opened his door, sliding his phone into his pocket. His face was blank as he approached, his long sure strides eating up the short distance between us.
“He pled guilty.”
“What?” I shouted.
“My dad. He felt like a jury would be against him, even though they’re supposed to weed out the biased jurors. After consulting with George, he felt it was best to plead guilty.” His voice was devoid of all inflection, his face still eerily blank.
“That’s a good thing, right?” Jonah asked, his nose crinkling.
His gaze slowly moved to Jonah. “I—shit. Yes? I think. His deal is ten years with the option of parole after six.” He rubbed a hand over his head, messing up his neatly combed light blond locks. “This is it. Both of my parents are officially out of my life. It feels weird. And surreal.”
“Not forever, unless you want it to be.” Beck took a step toward him, lowering his voice. “You still have the option of building a relationship with them when you’re ready, if they deserve it. You have what we don’t have. Time.” He gestured between himself, Jonah, and Thatcher.
“Damn, I didn’t even think to ask, any word on your mom?” Rhys winced.
Beck’s lips twisted in a sad semblance of a smile. “No. And I think I prefer it that way. People make their own choices and I’d rather her be out of my life than forced to watch her spiral out of control.”
Was the unknown better?
My mother was out there somewhere, and I liked not knowing where she was or what she was doing. Most of the time she wasn’t even a thought.
Beck and Rhys locked stares for a minute, then they both nodded, in agreement or understanding.
“Let’s go inside. Today’s the first day of the rest of our lives.” Rhys held out a hand to me and I happily took it.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” I asked.
“I will be,” he assured me right before I stepped through the door.
Whistles overtook the music as soon as we were all inside. The small group of people gathered around the back tables. A huge sheet cake with little plastic graduation caps was in the center of one table surrounded by various flavors of wings.
I laughed. Never would I have thought that this was how I wanted to celebrate my graduation. In a biker place, with bikers, wings, and rock music. But as I looked around at all the people most important to me, there was nowhere else I would rather be.
“Hey!” Ryan called, sliding through the front door. “Beck told me there was a party planned for you, so I wanted to stop by.”
“I was going to come to yours,” I said, walking to him.
“Nah, this one is more fun. But I do have to go in a few minutes. My grandma is waiting and she can be a real bitch when she’s doing the waiting.” He hugged me, lifting me off my feet. “Congratulations, Ass! To our next chapter in life!”
