Page 30

I’d never thought much about what it would actually take to see my dad walk out of Logan Hill prison, but it had been heavily influenced by TV and movies. They made it seem like all it would take was a pen stroke from a judge, and he’d be released. As it turned out, it was far from that simple. Or quick. Once again, fiction had left me disappointed.

In the months following the death of Agent Wilson, I found myself bouncing back and forth between Meg’s office, the courthouse, and the Bureau in Columbus to help with my father’s exoneration and the FBI’s investigation into the AD’s criminal activities. And man , what a dark and twisted rabbit hole that was. Only two weeks into it, Dawson was called to DC to help the higher-ups filter through it all.

I hadn’t seen him since he left.

And we most definitely still hadn’t discussed that voice message I’d left him.

The rest of my time was spent trying to adapt to a normal life again; one where I wasn’t constantly looking over my shoulder, where hypervigilance wasn’t necessary. And while I enjoyed the reprieve, it took a lot of work with Dr. Chin to help me through it. Apparently, there wasn’t always calm after the storm.

My mom moved back into Gramps’ house, and we slowly worked on mending the rift Wilson had created in our relationship. It was slow going because of how hard it was to separate my feelings of abandonment from the facts behind it. In truth, her actions spoke to just how ferocious she was as a parent—how much she was willing to sacrifice for me. I clung to that in the moments the anger of a wounded child welled up inside the woman I’d become.

One way or another, I knew we’d get through it.

Thanks to Garrett, Tabby, and Mark, I finally got caught up on all my work so I could graduate on time. AJ lent a helping hand too, since we’d rekindled our friendship again. Making peace with him helped heal a piece of me I hadn't realized was broken, and I was grateful for his presence in my life—for all of them. Without my friends, I wouldn’t have been able to get through the hard times.

Like Striker’s funeral.

The absolute heartbreak I felt, standing in the cold December wind as they lowered his body into the ground while his wife and daughter looked on, tears staining their faces, was beyond comprehension. I struggled to breathe as pain bloomed in my chest. Striker had been like a father to me, and because of me, his daughter no longer had one. Guilt assailed me until his wife, a folded flag tucked under her arm, rested her hand on my shoulder and squeezed it lightly before she pulled me in tight and hugged it all away. That single, silent act absolved me of any responsibility I felt, because she didn’t blame me—and she didn’t want me to blame myself.

I still struggled with his fate in the months following, though.

I wished Dawson had been there to talk to.

In early May, we finally received the news I’d been dying to hear: my father’s release date had been set. So, early that Saturday morning, we stood outside the gates of Logan Hill prison and waited.

Everything about it felt surreal.

I stood at the end of the long concrete walkway blocked off with an extremely tall chain-link gate crowned with barbed wire, waiting for the moment I’d dreamed of since the judge delivered my father’s verdict. And it was about to happen.

Gramps and Mom were at my sides, Tabby and Garrett right behind me. The squeal of the heavy double doors at the far end of the gated corridor ripped through the air, and I felt Garrett’s hand fall heavy on my shoulder to steady me—silently reminding me to breathe. I stood there, eyes wide and heart thundering, as my father stepped out into the sunshine, wearing the suit he’d worn the day his guilty verdict was delivered. It was all I could do not to hurl myself at that massive gate and scale it to get to him faster.

As if he knew I was about to do just that, he shook the hand of the guard escorting him to the interior gate about halfway to the main exit, then stepped through at an urgent pace. A loud buzzer sounded, followed immediately by an announcement that gate something-something-something was about to open. Bouncing on my toes, I watched helplessly as that fucking gate opened at a painstaking speed. Inch by unbearably slow inch, the exit opened until it was wide enough to let my father slip past.

He stopped just outside of the prison’s reach and took his first breath as a free man.

Then his eyes fell on me, and I bolted toward him. His arms spread wide just in time for me to launch myself into them like a small child. I clung to him with arms and legs wrapped tight and sobbed uncontrollably as he tried his best to calm me.

“Dad…I…I’m…”

“I know you are, baby girl. I know.” He hugged me tighter still.

“Ya gonna save some of that for the rest of us?” Gramps called from behind us, and even in the midst of my emotional meltdown, I couldn’t help but laugh. It made for a rather unfortunate sound, but I let it loose regardless, knowing nobody there would care. I could celebrate our hard-won victory however I wanted in front of them.

I eventually climbed down and wiped my face as I made room for Gramps and my mom to step closer.

“It’s good to see ya on this side of the fence, Bruce,” he said, pulling Dad into a full-on hug—something I’d never seen the two of them share before

“We’ve missed you,” Mom said softly, unable to fully look at my father. Her husband. The one we’d all thought she’d abandoned. If only we’d known then what we learned in the end.

Dad pulled away from Gramps and enveloped Mom in his arms with a gentleness that kicked me right in the feels so hard I nearly fell over. He loved her in a way I couldn’t quite fathom, but I knew in that moment that I would never settle for anything less in a partner— life -partner, that is.

I looked away as he leaned down to kiss her and found my friends studying their shoes in an attempt to avoid that same spectacle. Garrett dared a glance at me and smiled, then took my hand in his and gave it a squeeze. Tabby, never to be outdone, quickly grabbed the other.

“Garrett?” Dad called, drawing my BFF’s attention. “Holy cow, I barely even recognized you!”

“It’s good to see you, Mr. Danners.” Garrett released my hand to shake my dad’s. Dad pulled him into one of those weird, half-hug things guys do and gave him a clap on the back.

“Thank you for watching out for her,” Dad whispered in his ear, but I easily overheard him.

Garrett pulled back and smiled. “Doing anything less wasn’t really an option, sir.”

At that, Dad smiled. “ Sir… Ky, I forgot just how much I like this one.”

“He doesn’t do blondes, Dad. Don’t get your hopes up.”

Garrett covered his face, mortified by my comment, while the others laughed. Tabby, however, bounced on the balls of her feet as though she could barely contain herself any longer. I tugged her in close to my side to keep her from lunging.

“Dad, I want you to meet Tabby. Tabs, this is my dad.”

Tears streamed down the poor girl’s face, and she opened her mouth to talk but couldn’t force anything out. So instead, she tackled my dad around the waist and squeezed him tightly.

“ Oh ,” Dad said, startled but amused. “It’s nice to meet you, Tabby.”

She released him and stepped back, clasping her hands behind her back. “I’m just…I’m just so happy for you guys,” she managed to say before her throat closed down around her words again, choking her into silence. Garrett looped his arm around her shoulders to comfort her, and Dad quirked a brow as he shot me a sideward glance.

“Nope, no redheads either, it seems, which is fine. Tabby likes bad boys.” I shrugged for emphasis, and Tabby’s mouth and eyes shot wide open.

“No I don’t!” she sputtered. “Mark is great.”

“Oh, he’s something,” I said, baiting her further.

Garrett egged her on while Dad began grilling her on this bad boy of hers, much to the amusement of both Gramps and Mom. My tears dried as I watched my family interact with my friends as though today was a regular old day. Like everything had gone back to normal in the blink of an eye. And maybe it really would be that easy. Maybe the suffering had been worth the prize at the end.

Maybe normal really was still attainable.

The sound of a car door closing not far in the distance drew my attention, and I turned to find Dawson parked illegally in the driveway a few yards behind us, leaning against the driver’s side door, arms folded as he looked on. In a heartbeat, all the emotion that had just settled surged back up again as I ran toward him, everything I wanted to say racing through my mind. But when I stopped a few steps away, I just stood there for an eternity, staring at him in silence.

Then I looked back at my father and found my voice.

“We did it, Dawson,” I said, turning to face him. My voice cracked as I spoke, and those stupid fucking tears rolled down my cheeks yet again, but I was beyond caring after everything we’d been through together. Because my dad was finally free. “We really did it…”

Dawson closed the distance between us in two determined strides, then pulled my shaking body gently against his and held me as a swell of things I couldn’t even begin to name poured out of me. He pressed his cheek to the top of my head as he stroked my hair, making quiet shushing sounds to soothe me.

“I’m sorry I’m late,” he whispered softly.

“You’re making a real habit of that,” I replied, choking on a laugh as I cried.

“You can lodge a formal complaint about it later.”

“With who? Your boss? Do you even know who that is now?”

The sound of approaching footsteps interrupted us, and I craned my head to see my father standing a couple feet back, staring at us—more specifically, Dawson—intently. I tried to pull away from the subject of my father’s gaze, but he didn’t let me go far. Instead, his hand slid to the small of my back as he held his ground at my side. I took a deep breath, worried that the happy tenor of our reunion was about to be tarnished.

My father took a step closer, his eyes pinned on Dawson, then slowly extended his hand toward him. “Agent Dawson,” he said, waiting for the young fed to take his offering, “I believe I owe you a debt of gratitude.”

Dawson edged forward, took my father’s hand, and shook it. “I just wanted to know the truth about Agent Reider, sir, and now I do. It was your daughter who fought to free you.”

“And she couldn’t have done it without you,” I added, cutting him a sideward glance.

“ Maybe .”

My father’s gaze darted back and forth between us, then settled on the arm looped behind my back. “Jim Reider was a good man. I’m sorry for his death and your loss. I know you were incredibly important to him. He told me as much himself.”

Dawson went rigid for a second. “Thank you.”

“Word has it that you helped Kylene get a full scholarship to Ohio State. Is that true?”

“She earned that all on her own. I just helped the right people see it.”

“And you’ll be stationed in Columbus while she’s attending?”

“I have no plans to transfer.”

My father’s eyes narrowed. “There is nothing more important to me in this world than my little girl,” he said, the note of parental warning thick in his tone. “Do you understand what I’m saying?”

“I believe I do.”

“Good.”

“Dad—”

“Just making sure Agent Dawson and I are on the same page when it comes to you.”

“We are,” Dawson said, his fingers flexing against my back. “We most definitely are.”

Dad gave another nod, then headed back to where the others stood watching, and I let out a sigh of relief.

“I think that went well,” he said, the sarcasm in his voice duly noted.

“He didn’t punch you, so I’d take it as a win.”

“I’ll try.”

“In fairness, you two did not get off on the right foot.”

“Mmm,” he mused aloud. “Perhaps a fruit basket is in order.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Might want to think a bit bigger than that.”

“I’ll see what I can do.”

Silence fell between us, and I hated every second of it. “So…what do we do now?”

“Maybe we should finally discuss that message you left me before you ran head-first into danger without me. Again .”

“Orrrrrrrr,” I said, turning to face him, “we could keep pretending it didn’t happen at all.” I wiggled my brows at him. “That sounds fun, right?”

“I’m no expert, but that sounds a lot like avoidance, Danners.”

“Does it? That’s so weird—”

“It does indeed.” His amused expression slowly gave way to a far more serious one, and I swore my heart nearly stopped. “Listen, Kylene, I know you said what you said because you thought you might never see me again, and that kind of pressure…it might make you say things you don’t mean. If that’s the case, just tell me.”

I studied him for a moment. “Did you mean what you said in the camper?”

His brow furrowed. “Of course I did.”

“Good. Then I meant what I said in the message.”

A tiny smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Was your answer dependent on mine?”

“ No ?”

His deep laugh rang out through the parking area, and every ounce of nervousness washed away at the sound of it. “Of course it wasn’t,” he said, wrapping his arm around my shoulder. “So, here’s what I think we should do, especially in the event that you have second thoughts: I want you to take the summer and spend time with your family and friends. Your life is about to change in ways you can’t imagine, and you deserve to enjoy your final carefree days with them before you leave for college.”

My stomach sank to my shoes and I tried desperately to keep my worry from my face. “But what about you?

“Me?” he replied with that shit-eating smile I hated to love. “I already went to college.”

I could see he wanted me to take the bait, but I didn’t. Instead, I doubled down by letting that emotion I clung to so tightly rise to the surface. “That’s not what I meant.”

Dawson’s smile fell away, and he reached up to brush away the tears sliding down my cheeks. “What did you mean, Danners?”

“I meant, where do you fit into all of that?’

“Wherever you want me to, though my plan was to give you space until you show up at Ohio State all bright-eyed and ready to start your freshman year—”

“And what happens then?” I asked as my heart scrambled up into my throat.

He leaned in so close I could feel his breath ruffle my hair. “Then your ass is mine.”

My body went rigid, and he pulled away and smiled devilishly at me. Bastard knew exactly what he was doing to me.

Two could play that game. “Do you mean that figuratively or literally?”

He groaned audibly in response. “Not this again—”

“A girl needs to plan, Dawson.”

“Which would you rather?” he asked, smiling with delight.

I stepped back, feigning indifference. “I guess that depends on how the summer goes.”

“Oh, really ? Should I be worried, Danners?”

I dared a glance down the road to my right. “Have you not seen the throngs of virile males lining up to try and date me? They should be showing up here any minute now.”

“I see—”

“Don't doubt the power of this ass you figuratively or literally want to own, Dawson. It’s magical .”

“I learned a while ago never to doubt your power,” he said as he pulled me in closer, “but I also don’t doubt your father’s ability to make my life difficult, especially once he’s reinstated at the Bureau. So I think my plan might suit both our best interests for now.”

“Until I arrive bright-eyed at Ohio State,” I said, grinning up at him.

“Exactly.”

I let out a dramatic sigh and leaned into him. “You’re probably right—”

“ Probably ?”

“Besides,” I continued, ignoring him, “I like the star-crossed vibe for us. It’s a solid upgrade from enemies-to-lovers.”

“I don’t know, Danners…you’re kinda cute when you hate me.”

“And I’m sure I still will at times unless you have a lobotomy, so you’re in luck.”

He laughed as he released me and reached for his car door. “I’ll call you later.”

“What? No goodbye kiss?”

He looked past me toward my father, and I turned to find Dad staring at us. “Don’t worry, Danners, I’ll be back around at some point. But I don’t want to give your father a legitimate reason to go back to prison just yet.”

It was my turn to laugh. “Never thought I’d see you run from a fight, Dawson.”

“Not running, just conceding this moment. I’ll fight if I have to when the time is right.” He winked at me and climbed into his car.

“Hey! Are you coming to graduation?”

“I’ll see you soon.”

“That’s not an answer!” I said as he closed his car door, then rolled down his window.

“Isn’t it?” His engine roared to life, and he pulled away without saying goodbye.

* * *

I sat in my seat, sweating profusely from the high spring sun beating down on us as we sat in folding chairs on the football field. But that wasn’t the only reason why. Clutched tightly in my hand was the commencement address I’d been asked to give after the valedictorian finished. I’d been so shocked when Principal Thompson asked me that the word ‘sure’ had just slipped out. I’d been trying to get out of it ever since, to no avail. And as the class nerd finished and the crowd erupted in applause, I knew my goose was cooked.

The man responsible for my torment walked up to the mic, and I tried to dry my hands on my white polyester gown, which somehow only made them wetter.

“Now we have a very special speaker. She’s a bit of a town hero, and I have no doubt that she will go on to do amazing things once she leaves.” Principal Thompson spotted me in the crowd and smiled. “I’d like to invite another of Jasperville’s best and brightest—the reigning Winter Festival queen—Kylene Danners to the stage.”

The eruption of applause rendered me still for a moment, at least until Garrett poked my back from the row behind me. “That’s you, genius.”

I shot him a look over my shoulder before rising to make my way to the stage. Principal Thompson smiled as he stepped aside so I could have the podium. Setting my sweat-stained notecards down in front of me, I looked out over my class and the crowd beyond. And there, right in the middle, sat my parents, Gramps, and Meg beaming back at me.

As the cacophony died away, I took a deep breath.

“Parents and family, distinguished guests, and classmates,” I said in a steady voice, “please allow me to apologize on behalf of Principal Thompson, for he knows not what he did in asking me to speak today.” I looked over at him laughing at my intro and smiled. “I promise to keep the four-letter words to a minimum.

“In all honesty, I have no idea why he wanted me up here—I certainly didn’t earn it like our valedictorian did. Hell, I’m lucky to be here at all after the year I’ve had…but enough about that. We’re gathered this afternoon to celebrate this monumental achievement twelve years in the making. Some of us are headed to college, others trade school or the workforce, and some still don’t know what they’re going to do. I’m here to tell you that none of that matters. Sure, you need a degree or training to do certain jobs, and yes, you do eventually need direction so you don’t just float through life without purpose, but…we’re eighteen years old. Asking us to have all the answers is insane. We’re barely even adults. Most of us haven’t seen the world and what it has to offer.

How could we possibly know how we want to fit into it? Today, we’ll hear from guests giving advice and platitudes on what’s ahead, but the reality is this: nobody can know—and that’s okay. If I’ve learned anything over the past year, it’s to expect the unexpected. Find allies in places you never thought you could.

And trust that little voice in the back of your mind— it’ll guide you through this messy thing called life if you let it. And you’re gonna need that little voice, no matter which journey you take, because I also learned this year that it’s not always smooth sailing. But there’s beauty in the chaos,” I said, looking down at Garrett, then Tabby, then AJ, and finally my family, “and if you don’t fight it, but rather surrender to it, you’ll get to your destination, a different if not better version of yourself.” I paused for a moment when I noticed movement at the back of the crowd. And there, with his hands in his pockets, stood Dawson, smiling at me like I’d hung the moon. Suddenly, in that moment, I felt like I had.

“So your mission, dear classmates, should you accept it, is this: go forth and live your life how you want to live it, and screw everyone else. Life is too short. Trust me. I know.”

I leaned back from the mic, and the sea of red- and white-gowned kids in front of me shot to their feet, chanting my name as they clapped and cheered. The town that had once spurned me gave a standing ovation to their former antihero turned darling queen. And as I stood and watched, a sense of belonging overcame me.

Because for once in my life, everything was just right.

And, with any luck, that’s how it would stay.