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Chapter Forty-Five

It’sMother’s Day and I know Mom will be at the very least wondering why we’re driving up today and not on Friday afternoon like we usually do when we go home.

We discussed this at length. We know we have to tell our parents the truth, but we don’t want to do it now. Not on Mother’s Day. And next week is graduation. Not then either. We decided we would tell them after. A few days after when we go home over summer break. I’m going back to Riggins for a couple of summer classes for my masters and I’m still working at the clinic. Skye has a new editing job and her masters in English, which is a blend of online and once a month all-day Saturday classes. This will allow her to stay closer to Logan as well, and Liam and I will be in school at the same time.

This arrangement works for everyone. Except our parents. I know they’re looking forward to having us home for the summer, but I also know they will support us in whatever decision we make. Plus, we need to stay close by in case the police need to speak to any of us.

We talked for hours last night and we’re exhausted. But the police gave us a break today and we will pick up wherever they need on Monday. Logan’s friend, Steven Levy, is making sure to clean up all the loose ends. Skye declined a blood test, but between the drugs they found on Jon and the video where he talks about raping her and me, they have enough to hold him. Now we hope the other girls and the investigation show enough cause to charge him.

There’sa knock on the door. It’s 8:00 a.m. and we have a couple hours ride ahead of us. The boys are here to pick us up. Despite the changes in their relationship with their mother, in light of everything that happened, they decided to come with us instead of going back to Connecticut to see their mom. They talked to her—that much I know. It’s a step in the right direction, but it will take time to heal their relationship. They can’t undo twenty-plus years of neglect over a few days. But there’s less tension for both of them when they talk about their mom. The father is another story. They haven’t mentioned him at all. As if by mutual agreement, no one has. The man simply no longer exists. It’s sad, but some people are toxic and they’re better off not having that kind of toxic relationship with their father.

Skye makes it to the door and as soon as she opens it, her feet are off the floor and Logan has her in a bear hug. A smile makes its presence known on my face as I watch them and then turns into a full grin when Liam steps around Logan and makes his way to me. His hands cup my face, his touch gentle. His lips meet mine in a chaste kiss. I think I whimper in disappointment and Liam chuckles into my mouth before parting my lips with his and giving me what I want. He reads me so well.

I don’t know who breaks the kissing first, us or Skye and Logan, but when we look at each other, there’s an awkward moment before we all laugh. I like this. I need this. We all do. We need this moment of levity. Last night was way more difficult than we had bargained for. Even though the plan worked, I’m worried about the price we had to pay to get him. To get Jon.

The boys walked us back home at three a.m. and went back to their house to wrap things with the cops. Skye slept in my bed. We hadn’t done this since we were little kids and were scared after watching a horror movie.

* * *

“Ready?”Logan asks.

“We are.” I grab the bag of gifts Skye and I wrapped a couple of days ago. Liam takes it from me and laces his fingers through mine. After one last look around to make sure we didn’t forget anything we are on our way.

The two-hour trip home is mostly quiet and all of us take naps in the truck. Logan and Liam insisted on driving and switched mid-way. When they switched, so did Skye and I. I sit on one end of the back seat, against the door, and Liam’s head is on my lap. I run my fingers through his hair and he’s having a hard time keeping his eyes open. I move my hands over his eyes gently and he flutters them closed. He’s sleeping seconds later. I can’t even imagine what we all will look like when we get home. A rag-tag team of tired people. I know my parents will notice right away. Mom, especially. She misses nothing. We told them we were at a graduation party and that’s the reason for not going home earlier. It is the truth. Sort of.

But will she buy that’s all there was to it? We all look weary and every time our eyes meet, there’s a whole lot going back and forth between us. A whole silent communication. We may not be putting words to it, but there’s a lot being said. Worry, expectations, waiting.

Now, we wait.

And hope.