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She sighs. “Was there a reason for your call, or…?”
I blow out a breath, taking the hint to let it go. “I wanted to see how you were doing. You were quiet on the way home Sunday. I guess I’ve been a little worried all of that was too much.”
“All of what was too much?”
“Meeting Gram, finding out about my parents, the Red Rose.”
She clicks her tongue. “I told you I loved your grandmother. She’s how I imagine I’ll be at that age.” I chuckle because I’d had the same thought about Lori and Gram. They say men end up falling for women who are like their mother, and Gram has been a mother to me, so the irony of Lori being like Gram isn’t lost on me. “As for the other stuff…I’m glad you shared it with me. My ears may never recover from your hideous singing and god-awful piano skills, but…”
She joins me as I laugh this time, and my muscles feel relaxed for the first time in days. Things are still good between us, maybe even better than they were before.
16
Lori
1 Month Ago
Julianna is fidgeting so much my seat is shaking. She hasn’t spoken a word since we boarded the plane either. I think carefully about what to say to calm her down, watching her out of the corner of my eye. I still can’t believe she asked me to come with her to deal with Christopher. I don’t want to do or say anything that’ll make her regret that decision or keep her from asking me for help in the future.
Not that she really needs me. She’s a lot stronger than she thinks. That prick is refusing to give her a divorce, but she’s not backing down. You could’ve blown me over with a feather when she told me she was going to confront him face to face and wasn’t leaving until he signed the damn divorce papers.
“It’s going to be okay. You can handle this.”
Julianna’s leg stops bouncing as she turns her attention to me. “Oh, I’m not worried about Christopher,” she says. “I have a lot of other stuff on my mind.”
“Does it have anything to do with Ashland Martin? I heard she’s waived her right to a trial by jury as part of a plea bargain with the district attorney.”
Julianna’s entire body seems to stiffen at the mention of Ashland—the young woman who brutally murdered her rapist. The same man who sexually assaulted Julianna. Her eyes gloss over with tears, and I mentally kick myself for bringing up the subject as she shakes her head.
“I mean, I suppose she’s always in the back of my mind. I wish so badly there was a way for me to help her. Logically, I know what Jim did to her isn’t my fault, but the guilt still weighs heavily on me.”
“What if I said I might have a way we can help her?”
As soon as the details about Ashland’s case started leaking, I knew I wanted to write her story. It’s like it was speaking to me, beckoning me to it. I know telling her side of the story won’t change anything for her, but maybe it could help other young women who have experienced the same things. I don’t think people understand how common sexual assault and abuse are. In my case, I felt so alone. As a young, naïve girl, I was so confused. It truly felt like I was to blame for the things that happened to me. Ashland’s story could help other women realize they’re not alone, then perhaps they won’t have to end up like her.
Julianna’s brow furrows. “How?”
“I’d like to tell her story. I’ve been thinking, and I could try to talk to her—get the real story and not the one the media is pushing. But I wanted to get your approval first. It’s important to me that I have your blessing before I talk to my editor about doing a piece on her.”
“Why would you need my blessing for that?”
“Well…” I pause and chew at my bottom lip, wishing again I’d kept my damn mouth shut. “It might be helpful if we can prove a pattern of behavior.”
She sighs, her eyes closing briefly before meeting my gaze again. “So, you’re saying you want to tell my story too?”
“It’s only a suggestion. I don’t have to use your name. I’m sure—”
“No,” Julianna says, holding her hand up as she shakes her head. “It’s okay. I think I’m ready. I’m tired of hiding from what happened to me. I can’t go back and change anything that happened to either of us, but I can do something to set it right now.”
“Are you sure?” She nods, giving me a reassuring smile. “You know I’m incredibly proud of you, right?”
She rolls her eyes. “Don’t go getting all mushy on me, I need my tough as nails sister today.”
“Don’t worry, she’s right here and ready to kick some rich boy ass. So, are you going to tell me what it is that’s bothering you then?”
She sighs. “It’s Eric.”
The mention of Eric makes me think of Spencer, and I feel heat rise on my cheeks. Not that it takes much for my mind to drift to him, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about him since meeting his grandmother the other day. It’s like my mind keeps playing everything she said on a loop. Especially all the stuff about how he belongs with me instead of Cat. I want my best friend to be happy, but I can’t say I haven’t been wishing Gram’s words were my reality. Spencer doesn’t belong with me, though.
