Page 119 of From the Wreckage

“And yeah, there's an age gap between you and Everett. And yes, he was my friend...” He blows out a breath. "I missed him, too."

It's as if a bomb went off in the kitchen. I mean, I thought my dad seemed—well, lonely—but I thought it was about me returning to college.

“I figured he and I would be spending time together while you were away.” He waves a hand. “But this isn't about me. It's about you.”

I draw my eyes to him, spinning my water glass.

“I always wanted you to find someone who would love the hell out of you. To see how special you are.” He grips his fork tightly. “And he does.”

I'm stunned. I don't know what to say. I know that's as close to acceptance as I'll get. He'll never say those exact words, that he accepts Everett and me together, but that's what he means.

It's everything I wanted to hear from him... but that was before Joey ruined me.

“Dad...” The tears roll down my face. “It's too late. I... I'm ruined.”

My dad is out of his chair, wrapping his arms around me. “No, Bri. Honey, you aren't ruined. You're?—"

The words claw at my throat. The truth I’d been burying with fake smiles and silence since I came home. I don’t want to say it. Don’t want to see his face when I do. But it burns inside me until it tears free.

I push at him enough that I can lift my head from his chest. My lips tremble, the words clawing their way up my throat.

“I-I was r-raped, Dad.”

The words detonate in the kitchen, louder than any slammed door. His body goes rigid, arms stilling around me.

For the first time in my life, I watch my dad—my unshakable, immovable dad—shatter.

CHAPTER 89

Brielle

“I didn’t meanto tell you like that,” I whisper as he stares at me with utter devastation on his face. It hurts to see it. Like I failed him somehow.

He swallows hard, his face turning red as the anger sets in. “Joey?”

I nod. “I shouldn’t have gone to that party. I shouldn’t have taken that drink from him. I shouldn’t have?—”

“No,heshouldn’t have.”

My eyes, which were on his chest, move to his. His jaw is clenched, eyes burning with the truth.

“He’s the one who did wrong, Bri. Not you.” His voice shakes with repressed rage. “He drugged you?”

I nod, shame filling me. “I shouldn’t have taken it, but I... I didn’t see him do it.”

“Again, sweetheart, this is on him, notyou.” His teeth grind together.

“I couldn’t move. I wanted to. He told me he was taking me outside...” I close my eyes, not wanting to remember.

“He drugged you and then...” He looks both sick and ready to explode from fury.

I nod. “I couldn’t move. God, I wanted to. But it’s like my body betrayed me. Nothing worked.”

He wipes the tears away. “It’s not your fault, Bri. Not at all.”

“But I... I went to the party.”

“I encouraged you to go. To stick close to your friends.”