Page 55 of Out of the Dark

Jillian had lied to them too.

I had removed her number from my phone after a year of trying to reach out to her, but that was only after I ended up in the hospital. I stopped asking Jo about her and tried to move on with my life. That was right around the same time I told my parents about what had happened at camp.

My life changed dramatically after that. I started to feel like my old self, stopped hiding and staying away from things. I had breakfast with Pat one morning at the Angry Egg, and that’s when I ran into Madison. She asked me out, and I figured it wouldn’t hurt since I was lonely. I never expected to sleep with her, never mind have a baby.

I stripped off my clothes, making sure to dump them in the hamper before I climbed into the bed. I stared up at the moon under the skylight. I hated this place after Jillian left. Every single memory of her was here, and I had resisted the urge to burn it to the ground many times.

My phone blinked on the table next to me.

Unknown:I need to talk to you.

Unknown:It’s Jillian.

Unknown:I have Jo’s bachelorette party tomorrow night, but can we get together after?

I stared at her messages in shock.

Hutch:I want to tell you to lose my number.

Lie.

Jillian:You have every right.

Hutch:I have the bachelor party, but I can bail early.

Jillian:You don’t have to.

Hutch:For you, I will.

Jillian:I am so sorry.

Hutch:Don’t do that.

Jillian:I want to tell you the truth this time.

Hutch:Promise?

Jillian:Pinky promise.

I laid back to stare up at the window again. Was this actually going to happen or was she leading me on again? My heart rattled against my ribs as fear clenched my mind. Would I be able to handle the truth from her?

Hutch:I want to believe you, Jilly, but I can’t trust you right now.

Jillian:Can’t say I blame you.

Hutch:What time?

Jillian:Nine?

Hutch:You don’t plan on hanging with the girls that long, huh?

Jillian:Naked dancing dudes is not my thing.

Hutch:I agree with you on that one.

Hutch:Nine sounds good.

Jillian:You want me to come to you?