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A lump formed in my throat as Mr. Dixon approached. He gripped both my arms, examined me as if to see if I was okay, then pulled me in for a hug.
“I’m sorry, son. I hope you won’t quit on us.”
I blinked to stave off the sting in my eyes. “I’m not the only one with stuff going on. You got Blake back where he belongs. That’s most important.”
“Now you’re back where you should be too.” He cleared his throat as Mrs. Quinn muscled her way in.
I held up my hand. “Please don’t say you’re sorry.”
Her expression said it for her.
“We never gave up on you.” She touched my cheek. “Even if you’d done what they accused you of, I’d still be your honorary mom.”
“You’re my only mom.” The words came out in a choked string.
She winked at me, and I laughed for the first time in . . . well, I couldn’t remember.
An attorney I recognized, but didn’t know his name, approached the podium.
“Thank you all for coming.”
Marlow stepped toward me, and twined her fingers with mine as the crowd hushed.
He looked over the people until he found me. “My client is here today to right a wrong. We appreciate the opportunity to do so.”
He motioned a woman forward and gave her an encouraging nod. Even at this distance I saw the tremble of her hands as she gripped the edge of the podium. Her eyes landed on me. I sucked in a breath. Marlow squeezed my hand.
“My name is Terra Blunt.” I swallowed hard. Her hair color was different than it had been a few years ago, but I recognized her now. “When I was fourteen, I had too much to drink at a party. Someone was going to take advantage of me that night, but it wasn’t Patrick Whitley. He saved me.”
A collective gasp went across the crowd, but her words were only for me.
“My aunt mistook what she saw. Accusations were made and everything spun out of control before I could stop it. It’s not an excuse, but I was scared and shy. I’ve regretted my silence my entire life.”
She inhaled deeply, her apology written on her face. “I’m here today to set the record straight. To apologize to Patrick and to thank him for what he did that night. I’m sorry I didn’t have the courage to tell the truth. You saved me, and I was too afraid of getting in trouble to come clean.”
I gave her a quick nod of acceptance.
“I should’ve come to you years ago, but I hoped we’d both moved past it. I’m sorry for the time you spent in jail for something you didn’t do. I couldn’t let this go on.”
“Terra, don’t lie for him.” A frantic voice rose from the throngs of people, a lone body weaving toward the front.
Terra’s face screwed up as she tore her gaze from me. She cleared her throat. “I’m sorry. That’s really all I came here to say. Patrick Whitley is an innocent man. A good and decent human being.”
“What did he do?” the voice shouted, a low buzz beginning to build. “Did he threaten you?”
Marlow swayed into me as the woman came into view.
“Holy fuck,” Andrew said, staring at her.
“Aunt Ivette, I’m finally telling the truth,” Terra said firmly.
Marlow’s mother put her arm around Terra. “He intimidated you. We won’t let him do that.” Fire blazed as she glared at me.
My head swam as I looked from Marlow to Terra and back again. “She’s your cousin?” I asked, weakly.
“Not that I know of.” Her other hand landed on my arm for support.
“Why is she calling your mother Aunt Ivette?”
